Smyrna times., 1877-10-24
From Wealth to Poverty,

lay moored at one of the principal wharyes
IN Boston. She was fruiter and was
bound on voyage to the East Indies.
She had received her cargo, and was to
SAL at high water the same evening.
About an hour before sailing, man, dressed
shabblly, and under the influence of LIQUOR.
staggered on board, and offered to take
passage on the ship as a common sailor. for
meagre sum. The captain, being one
man short, and seeing a chance to get one
on easy terms, hired him. The papers
We're signed, and in less than an hour the
ship had cast off and was bounding on her
course.
The new hand was too much intoxicated
to be of service, and ho was put in the
cabin to sleep it off. He was on deck the
following day, and the mate assigned him
his duties. In the evening he took his
turn at the wheel. The captain was walk
ing the deck, and noticing the perfect ease
with which the new man discharged his
duty, he approached him and found him to
oe Oh noble structure, with high forehead
ana intelligent eye, and he conversed on
all matters pertaining to navigation with
remarkable intelligence, and soon con.
Vlnced the captain that he was no ordinary
sailor. Each day produced some new an
poLitment, and the captain grew anxious
10 know how man of such ability should
beg the situation of common sailor. His
curiosity increased, until one day. while
below together, he elected the following
bit of history:
The man said, g am the only son of one
OF the most aristocratic families in Boston.
l nave two sisters, who are regarded as verv
beautiful My father is an officer of high
rank IN the United States navy.
graduated from one Of the most eminent
colleges IN the country, and have also been
an officer in the United States navy. We
an lived IN great style and moved in the
highest circles. became Incorporate, dis
sraced my family, and determined never
10 shame them with my presence again,
ana came and shipped with you, but am
never gong to drink any more, and am
gong to be a man."
The captain took an interest in him and
soon made him mate of his vessel In
due time the vessel arrived in Calcutto
and discharged her cargo. In port at the
same time was another fruiter from New
ork' and the captains Of the two vessels
recognized each other as old friends,
having sailed together long ago, before
elther were officers. In a few davs the
captain OF the New York vessel was taken
SICK with the yellow fever and died. so
also MS mate. The captain of the Boston
lfuitcr rendered the services Of his new
mate to take the vessel to New York.
which was gladly accepted by the agents
IN Calcutta, and the two vessels started
homcward. The captain, arriving in
Boston, interviewed the family Of the
mate and told them his whereabouts and
condition, which brought JOY to the family.
In lew days the captain took command
OF a trading vessel and sailed on n six
years voyage, and heard nothing of the
family during the entire time. When he
returned, he once more went 10 the house
10 visit the family, but they were not there.
ana he could nowhere find anything about
them, and he went to New York to live. n
retired sea captain. One evening some
years alter, he stepped into saloon with a
irlend' ana while enjoying their smoke he
iiotIceu tall, spare man leaning against
the bar; the more he looked at him the
more ne became convinced he knew him,
ana he finally arose and begged leave to
ask his name. The man started as he said,
Are you Captain B?" The captain re-
cognlzed him as the man he left in com.
mand OF the ship in Calcutta, but he was
now careworn and haggard, and when he
inquired concerning the family he was told
the following: He said, I" brought my shin
10 New ! ork and returned to nv family.
WHO received me with great iov. received
an appointment in the navy again, and
once more mingled in high life, and once
more Tell a victim to the cup. NV father
was implicated in some scandal. and was
sent Tor to return from San Francisco.
where he was stationed, to have an in
VestlgatIon. The shame was so great that
IT drove him mad, and he shot himself on
ms way home. The family became desti.
tute; we had to leave our fine house and
retire from society the blow was so great
that my poor mother soon died. NY oldest
sister married man who proved to be in
temperate. She was neglected, and soon
dled OF almost starvation. NV other sister
works in shop in the city, hardly earn.
ing enough to keep body and soul together.
and wander here and there, fully aware
that 1T is too late for me 10 reform. and
that | must soon 60"
The captain promised to see him in a
lew days and help him, but before he got
an opportunity he read of his death in the
paper. lie saw him buried, but he could
not find the sister, and the family had
almost been forgotten, when the captain
read OF the sisters death in a very iowIy
quarter of the city, and related this bit Of
history for which he truthfully vouches.
The Rev. Dr. John Poisal, the new Chan. |
lam OF the House at Washington was once
a shoemaker in West Virginia, and studied
theology while working on his bench. lie |