The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-01-28

and luxuries she needed
For several years matters went or
smoothly with them, when all at once
the wheel of fortune was reversed, and
they awakened from their@west dream
of wealth to find themselves almost
beggars, Some large enterprise in
which Charles had engaged failed, and
he became bankrupt; His fine house
and elegant furniture, his horses and
rare paintings were'all brought down
under tn" auctioneer's hammer, and h.
was obliged to retire with his family
to lodgings in 8 tenement house.
lie stood his losses manfully, but t.
sec his dear Estelle and their children
reduced TO such extremes was more
than he could bear. His health gave
way under the painful excitement, and
a brain fever left him little better than
an idiot. Now was a trying time for
his heroic wife, but with that devoted
the objects of their affection, she en-
deavored TO ameiorate, as much as
possible, his unhappy state and pro-
vide for her almost fatherless children.
| The little sum that had been saved
from the wreck of the once princely
| fortune did not amount to RlHch, and
after the bills attendant upon Charles
long illness had been paid, Estelle
discovered the necessity Of doing some
thing to provide for her six children.
The eldest Of these was only eleven
years of age, and, of course, unable to
do much to help his mother Many
were the sad hours she spent III weep
ing over her misfortunes, and wonder
ing if it were not e visitation sent by
| Heaven for her disobedieuce in mar
rying against her parents wishes.
But regrets ayailed not now, and the
stern realities of her position awakened
her 10 the sense Of lsbor. But what to
do was the thing that next puzzled
her, At last, she bethought herself of
writing, aud after many hours of pa
iient toll, her manuscript was sent to
the editor for publication.
Day followed day in dreary sus-
pcnse, until her article was returned
with q note, stating, that although it
was very good, and admirably writ
ten, still oil sceount of it's sadness and
melancholy, it was not fitted TO the
tone of his paper, OF to the taste of his
readers.
She saw this was failure, for in her
state of mind, how could she be gay to
write ina lively mood.
Her musical education had been stu
diously attended 10, and the most pro-
| ficient masters had trained her. In
this art she was highly accomplished,
and she resolved to give lessons. She
must do something Immediately TO re-
lieve the pressing wants of her family.
Her little stock of money was getting
very low. Her rent WAS almost due,
and but little coal remained in the
cellar. Stern winter was approaching,
and the children had to be clothed
and fed. Armed with the determina-
tion of succeeding, if it were possible,
she sailed out one day to procure pu-
pills.
| She went to some of her old friends,
people who bad visited at her house
and partsken of her hospitality in days
of plenty; but now, how changed their
manner, and how cold their greeting.
| When she named the obiectOf her visit,
they regretted very much, aud felt sor-
ry, but really, their children were
making such progress, that they did
not think il best to change teachers.
From one to another did Estelle go;
but, slmost invariably, did she receive
the same answer, until at last, heart
weary and sore, she returned home
with the intention Of trying next
morning among strangers to obtain
the aid that her.former friends denied
her,
With trembling steps she mounted
the three flights Of stairs that led to
her small and scautiIy furnished apart
ments, where her children were anx-
iouSly awaiting her return.
But now another.trial was in stors
for her. Before the morning light had
dawned in the east, and the god of
day had illumed with his rays the
earth, the eyes ef her husband had
closed forever in the sleep which knows
no waking.
1t seemed as though her cup of sor-
row was filled to overAowing; but the
sight Of her children aroused her to
her sense of duty and she as inspired
by them with new courage and hope.
One day, shortly after the funeral,
dressed in widows weeds, she started
out again in search of scholars, and her
labor was rewarded by obtaining
/ three.
With comparatively joyful heart
did she return TO her home. This was,
she considered. good beginning. Ii
would, at all events, keep her and her
children from starvation and heper.
SONS whose children she had engaged
to teach had promised to obtain for
her more pupils. Arrived at the door
of the miserable lodging, she was sur
prised TO See standing in front of it 2
carriage. This was 80 unusual al oc-
csrrsnee, that her curiosity was
aroused, and she eyed il closely when,
merciful HeayensI could she believe
her sight 1T was the old family
coach, and on its panels ~as embla1-
oneG the vel known coat-of-arms.
Her agitation was such she could
hardly reach her rooms, and " ben she
did, and opened the door, wHst ten
der scene raet her gaze. Tire, seated
in a chair, holding in her sarns the
Youngest born. and f,adlink with ca
Essses th others. nA re- e gathered