Year: 1863

In fourishing little town in Corsica, there
lived respectable merchant, named Cadmir
Borosse. He married young aud handsome
lady of some fortune and in course of time
became the father of two promising children, q
daughter and soD 0n the tenth anniversary
of his daughters birth, he gave a splendid en-
tertainment at his mansion to which were invi-
ted many of the leading families Of the place.
Everything went of with satisfaction to the
guests, AMI those who drank success TO the
supposed happy merchant, little dreamed he
was on the verge Of ruin. Bat such was the
case Some speealations which be had entered
into, had taken an unfortunate turn, and be
himself was aware that the secret could not
long be concealed. aud that poverty would
soon be the doom of himself and family and
though he seemed on that night to be the gay
est Of the gay, yet weight Of sorrow was up
on his heart.


After the guests had departed, instead of re-
turning to bed, he told his wife he had some
business letters to write, and went TO little
room, denominated library, and locked him
self in. Here be debated with himself vheth-
er he should boldly await the fearful cousequen-
ces of exposure, ruin and disgrace, or take his
own life, or flee from the country. After a
severe mental struggle he decided upon the
last.


/" If remain here a living man." he argued
" shall be crushed and despised, and never
perhaps have an opportunity to rise again if
l take my life, l shall send my soul to the
presence of my Maker, with at least a self
murderer's sin upon it; but if l escape to a
foreign country, who knows but that with the
little means l shall carry with me, may in
time be able to carve out a new fortune, and
return in triumph TO cancel every outstanding
obligation ?"


Having thus decided upon his course, he at
once proceeded with the painful task Of ac
Quainting his wife By letter of what had oc
Cured, his new resolution, and bidding her q
sad farewell.


:" | have not the moral courage to meet and
tell you of my misfortuues,' he went on TO
say, nor he moral courage to remain and
face my ruin. l must depart to some un-
known region, either in this world or from it,
and as my death can benefit no one, do not
feel called upon to add suicides sin to my
soul. As all our property will soon be seized
and sold, which, without other provision, would
leave you and our poor children beggars,
have resolved to retain all the money now
have in my possession, to collect all ! possibly
can in the brief space Of tomorrow, place one
half at your disposal, aud with the other mole
ty, set off and attempt to retrieve my fortune
in a distant land. If succeed in my design,
will return and pay all my debts Ike an
honest man-if fail my creditors must lose.
Let this letter be destroyed as soon as read,
and my project be profound secret in your
breast alone. If questioned, know nothing Of
me or my designs, and be sure you let no one
suspect left you money. If you remain in
Corsica, live as you would live if had left you
nothing, and your own consciousness of secret
means will give you mental strength"


These were the principal points OF the letter,
which concluded with protestatious of eternal
love and fidelity


Having thus fully settled upon his course,
the merchant went to bed, fell asleep, and
slept as soundly as if nothing had ever oc-
Cured to trouble him-by all of which it will
be perceived he was rather extraordinary
man. The next day he was at his counting
room calm and COOL and transacted his bust
ness in his usual manner. No one suspected
him, for no one knew his secret, which would
not have public exposure for at least four and
twenty hours. He directed that certain bills
should be paid, and others be collected, and
be borrowed for the shortest time. co1sdera-
bic sum of wealthy banker. At dusk he
disappeared, and not till late hour did his
wife become uneasy concerning his absence.
Going into his library, near midnight, she
found the letter addressed to her, Of which we
have already given a description. The shock
was so terrible that she tainted while reading.
On coming to her senses, she finished the
epistle, and then, according to its instruction,
committed II to the flames. The money left
her she also secreted, resolving to act in every
way as advised by her husband. 1t was a
long painful night to her, and morning found
her weighed down with grief too great for
words. Still she bore up with wonderful for
titude, and those who learned the news of her
husbands absence. attributed her excitement
and trouble to her alarm on his account. OF
course she knew not whittier he had gone, for
this his letter did not state, and so, when
questioned on the subject, she could speak the
truth without embarrassment.


But great as was her present sorrow, it was
destined to be still greater within few hours
Before night the place was thrown into 4 state
of great excitement by the startling news that