Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-01-18
HUMAN FORTUNES.
How Tempting, Yet How FIckle.

OF all those who reljelled against the
Government in 1861, none were more thor.
oughly despised, in the Union army, than
JOHN b. FLOYD. He was not only rebel,
but thief. He was not content with seeing
that all the arms Of the Government were
shipped to the Southern States prior to the
breaking out Of the rebellion, but he stole
and took with him on leaving Washington
100000 in gold. These facts are brought
to mind by reading the following sketch
of the remnants OF FLoYD's family from
the Washington correspondent of the Gin
cinnati Enquirer. 1t seems like vista
tion Of Divine Providence:
Writing Of these bright days of Buchan-
ans regime reminds me OF a bitterly sad
story told me this morning by u lady whose
heart ia ever ready to give sympathy TO the
distressed, and whose purse is open to re-
lieve the needy poor, who we have alwa Va
with us. She says that the daughter OF the
Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary of War a
lady OF culture and refinement, whose
charming way of welcoming and gracious
liberality in entertaining her fathers GUESTS
is remembered by all who have made their
home in Washington during those ante
bellum days, has become, within n few
months, an inmate of the Louise Home. in
this city, into which she entered so reduced
in means, and her wardrobe so scanlily fur
nished, or, if may say SO, so rich in its
destitution, that friends who heard of il
by accident sent her trunk we'll stored
with comfortable wearing apparel; other
wise she might not have remained within
the quiet shelter OF this sanctuary for
needy ladies. These were friends indeed
for their memories OF her had survived i'm
all their bright distinctness the storms OF
years, and now served her in the hour of
direst need. In this city is her daughter,
widow, whose struggles are barely sufii.
cient to keep the wol from her door, within
which are three children more helpless
than herself
This daughter Of a mother who was once
on high pinnacle of social fame and
prominence is gifted in every way, skilled
in all the accomplishment Of life, and
yet begs from a cruel world any work by
which she may earn means to clothe, feed
and house her destitute ch ildren. A shelter
is onl y now over them through the sweet
charity OF q CONAN too grand in the noble
ness OF her dignity Tor me to belitIle bv the
empty title OF lady, one Of those women
who so d our Utopian idea Of whnt wo-
man should be, who paid the Shylock Of
this house $3.50 TO prevent the execution of
a writ lie had obtained To turn them into
the streets, TO perish Of cold. All, my God
How thankfully must not such hearts las
down the weary burden Of life, since death
can place them IN n tenement from which
no greedy landlord can turn them.
What a homily on the uncertainty of
human fortunes, aud how bitter lesson
from which 10 learn hy what slight
thread is our tenure on public approval
and this worlds favor What guarantee
have the present occupants of the HIGH
places in this worlds kingdom that in
lev years they may not be writing to
friends in afiluence.
We are two poor, wretched women,
and unless help comes we will fOint under
our load of despair" These words pre
taken from letter shown me yesterday,
written by person who, some years ago,
was the life OF every social gathering and
whose elegant home was the center where
eongregated the gay, the fair and brave.
OF nineiy-nine millionaires at Philadel. |
phia, Ex-Governor Asa Packer Is the rich
est, being worth sl900O000.