The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-12-13
The Uses Of Adversely.

We heard story lately which inter
ested us greatly, as striking instance Of
taking the bull by the horns Az the
consequence of an unfortunate specula-
ton, family Suddenly reduced from
afl1uence TO penury. The blow was 4
terrible one, and for brief period fhe
whole family seemed paralyzed; but II
was the nobie-hearted wife who t;rst
reused herself, and bravely prepare5 to
act with decision The only uittanee
which remained was less than hundred
year and this sfor people who had been
accustomed to horses and Carriages and
to fare sumptuously every day. and with
seven children TO feed and to clotbet ar
course, the father looked out for employ
ment which in some measure reegtab blish
his position; but fortunes are not re-
made in day or o year; and his wife.
delieately reared and accustomed to 4
large adjustment, resolved as step To
discharge every one of the servants.
We have health and we have hands.
she said,; or at any rate used words To-
that effect speaking to her children 1--WE
must work; and what we do not know
how TO do we must learn OF course.
the first thing was to remove to small
house, one only inst roomy enough to
contain its several inmates. But not
even q general servant" accompanied
them. A frugal system of diet was
adopted, In which we believe oatmeal
played considerable part, and every
purchase was made in the cheapest mar
ket. This rare lady had horror. of
pauperism, though she had not the nm
grateful pride which would have made
her decline all help offered TO her
children. They were taught to keep
themselves In more ways than one; and
when the darkest days were over, and
the s'silver lining" Of the cloud began to
show, there is good reason to
believe that she felt more of the good
that had been hidden in the trouble.
After all. the time was not SO sad as It
seemed We may be pretty sure that it
sifted friends in o wonderful manner and
that it was found that the true and loyal
were to b met within all classes. Some
acquaintances, of course. dropped off;
but it is doubtful if adyersity tests
friendship more that does prosperity.
The rich and happy are much envied,
and sometimes slandered; but the best
feelings of the best people are generally
drawn towards those in trouble. We
l8lS3s boo, Lldb tlb BI&ft l3dy u WuOm
we are writing did not allow herself to
be ashamed of her poverty. IF people
whom she had visited In other days on
equal terms drove up to her little parlor
without any lachrymose manner; though,
perhaps, if very busy starching or IRON
itg, she kept them waiting q few minutes,
making due and truthful apology for do
ing so, under these circumstances, it il
very likely that her hand, though
rough and hard from household work.
was pressed with more than usual
warmth by delieately gloyed fingers.
Now, If that wife had been content to sit
bemoaning her hel piessness and misfor-
tune, while appealing right and left for
aid, what an inferior position would she
now be in, not only in reference to
worldly affairs, but in regard to the es-
timation eff her character. Besides,
energy is very contagious, and hers must
not only have cheered her husband in his
trouble, but must have been commune
Gated TO her children. The constant
occupation, too, was the very best thing
Tor them all; it left no time for mere
fretting; and. probably, natural fatigue
from physical exertion prevented
anxious thought from keeping them
awake at night. No doubt our heroine
was very glad when brighter days
dawne1 again, and she could return to
more congenial occupations than sweep
ing rooms and lighting fires, but we be-
ieye she would do just the same as be-
fore should the same terrible occasion re-
occur. CAdHbeT's .f0ssassaI.