The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, August 28, 1877, Page 2, Image 2

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    THE TIMES, NEW BL00MFIEL1), PA., AUGUST 28, 1877.
LOOK UP.
THEUE Is an old proverb, thnt " mis
fortunes never come singly," ami It
was certainly fully verified In the family
of William Blakcly. Up to a certain
lerlod of his life, the world had gone
prosperously with him; but after thin,
there was a change. Speculations which
had promised the most favorable results,
failed entirely, Rnd his affairs became In
volved to an alarming extent. Still there
was a chance that firmness and energy
would enable him to recover his former
position ; but a dreadful fire broke out
In the part of the city where his business
was located, and his own store was
among the first which fell a prey to the
devouring element. Unfortunately the
insurance had expired the day before,
and had not yet been renewed. The
flames spread so rapidly that the efforts
of the firemen to save the valuable prop
erty were in vain ; almost everything
was consumed, and in a few short hours,
from comfortable andsomewhM affluent
circumstances, Mr. Blakely and his large
family were reduced to absolute poverty.
But the tide did not turn here. The anx
iety of mind which he had for some
weeks undergone, and the exposure to
which he was subjected on the night of
the fire, brought on a fever, and for
many weeks his wife and daughters
hung over him, losing sight of all other
afflictions in the one absorlng fear for
the life of the husband and father. But
they were spared this trial ; the fever nt
length abated, and though the strong
man was left weak and helpless as an
Infant, reo.son had returned, and the
physician had declared that nothing was
now necessary for restoration to health
but good nursing and freedom from men
tal anxiety.
Careful and affectionate nursing was
not wanting ; but it was impossible to
prevent mental uneasiness. The very
presence of the dear ones around him
increased the depression of his spirits,
for it was no longer in his power to
maintain them in their present position
in society. They must share with him
the poverty, and perhaps the disgrace,
which had come upon him ; for William
Blakely knew that the investigation in
to his affairs which his creditors would
require, would show that they had been
deeply Involved even previous to the
fire, and that many would heap upon
him unmerited reproach unmerlted,for
he had in reality taken the course which
would have enabled him to be Just to all
had not the last dispensation of Provi
dence frustrated his Intentions. There
remained but one way by which his fair
name could be entirely retained, and on
this course he at once resolved. The
house in which they lived was valuable,
and from its situation would command
a ready and favorable sale.
It was hard to part with the home
which ho had endeavored to render in
every aspect a desirable one for himself
tuiu ms iuumy, uih uierts was noiuuiiLui-
tive ; it was the only way in which he
could satisfy the claims against him ;
and as soon as his returning strength
t would permit, the necessary steps were
taken, the house was offered for sale and
a purchaser soon found.
' ' We will pass over the sad farewell to a
place endeared by many fond remem
brances, for our story is more of after
years when these trials were among the
things gone by.
' It is sufficient to say that every just
claim was satisfied, and the family re
moved to a distant part of the country,
for Mr. Blakely felt anxious to quit the
scene . of his misfortunes. Here in a
small but neat dwelling they found
themselves in possession of many com
forts; and in their affection for each
other, which seemed strengthened by
their afllictions.the mother and children
soon found contentment and happiness.
. But the father's heart was still sad.
The once cheerful buoyancy of his
spirits had given place to a morbid sen
sitivenessa want of confidence in him
self, and a distrust of bis fellow-beings.
His whole appearance had changed.
There was no longer the bright anima
ted smile and the quick step which
marks the energetic and prosperous
man. His countenance was downcast
and sad ; his step lingering and irreso
lute; in short, no one would have recog
nized the once busy merchant In the ill
dressed and unhappy looking man who
now busied himself in the cultivation of
the few acres which surrounded his little
dwelling.
His wife sought by every means in her
power to arouse Lis dormant energies.
She represented that the few hundreds
which they had saved from the wreck of
their property would soon be exhausted.
He was yet in in the prime of life ; his
health was fully restored. Why not
again go forward, and endeavor to re
gain, at least, a part of what they had
lost y Kurely . it was a duty which he
owed to himself and his children. But
her husband shrunk from again ming
ling with what he deemed "a cold and
unfeeling world."
" It will be all in vain, Mary," he re.
plied. " I shall lose the little which we
have left.. Your knowledge of men is
limited. You can hardly imagine the
unfeeling manner in which the unfortu
nate are treated. ' The very fact that a
man looks as if he were going down hill
Is sufficient to luduee every one to give
him a push. You will find many who
will help those who seem likely to rise
themselves, but very few who will ex
tend a hand to save those who are ap
parently sinking." . 1
" That Is partly true,"" returned his
more hopeful wife; " but, I trust, not to
the extent which you seem to believe,
l'lace more confidence in your fellow
men, and above all, have more reliance
on your heavenly Father, and you will
succeed. If you are unwilling to invest
the little capital which you have re
maining, begin at the bottom of the
ladder, and seek for a situation as clerk.
Our present home Is near enough to the
city to accommodate you in such an em
ployment, and under my direction the
children can continue the cultivation of
the land, the produce of which will mod
erate our expenses. You are certainly
well qualified either for salesman or ac
countant, and will no doubt obtain a
good salary."
Mr. Blakely sighed deeply. "My
health will not permit me to lead the
sedentary life of an accountant," he re
plied ; "and as salesman, I fear I should
stand little chance of success."
" Not with that sad countenance, in
deed ; but strive to recover your former
cheerful temperament, and all will go
well. You were once an excellent sales
man." "Times have changed, Mary. I am
not what I once was. For your sake
and that of my children, I will make
the attempt, but I feel sure that I shall
fail."
Advertisements were accordingly put
in the papers,stating his capabilities and
want of a situation ; and these failing to
call forth any applications, the once
prosperous merchant resolved to go him
self and seek for employment.
But, although he was willing to do
this as an act of duty which he owed to
his family, it was without the least con
fidence of success ; and he left home for
the city with the same sad countenance,
downcast look, and slow, measured step.
His wife watched him anxiously until
he was out of sight, and then turning
sorrowfully from the window, said to
her eldest daughter, who, with ready
sympathy, had drawn to her side and
thrown her arm around her.
" It is all in vain, Grace. Your poor
father will never succeed until he can
learn to look up, not only naturally but
spiritually. That downcast look is a
true index of the present state of his
spirit. His thoughts are fixed on the
dark shadows of earth, and he raises
them not to the source of light aud
strength."
The mind of Grace was mature beyond
her years, which did not yet exceed four
teen. She understood and felt the truth
of her mother's words, and her reply
was well calculated to console and en
courage her.
" Wre will pray to our heavenly Father
for him, dear mother, and the dark
shadows will yet pass away, and the
light of heaven will reach his darkened
soul. Our misfortunes and his long ill
ness prey heavily upon him, but his
wonted cheerfulness will yet return.''
" I trust so, Grace; but in the mean
time what shall we do for our support V
The small sum we have remaining
ought to be reserved for an hour of need.
While we have our health and strength,
it should remain untouched. My time
is almost wholly occupied with domestic
cares, and if it were not, I hardly know
what employment I should seek."
" But I can do something, mother,"
returned Grace, with animation. " I
am very young, but you and father have
kindly given me every advantage of ed
ucation, and I feel sure that even now I
could undertake the charge of a small
school, if the parents could only feel
confidence in me."'
" We might commence a school to
gether," replied Mrs. Blakely, thought
fully. " Your extreme youth would be
an obstacle to yoursuccess,but my name
would obviate thlsobjection, and the pa
rents of our pupils would gradually
learn to place confidence In your ability
as a teacher. For the modern accom
plishments I should be obliged to depend
wholly upon you ; but in some of the
more solid branches, I could assist, and
the government of the school could at
first devolve upon me. But we will
await your father's return. He may be
more successful than we anticipate."
As William Blakely approached the
crowded city, the busy metropolis of one
of our Western States, he felt more and
more oppressed by the doubts and fears
which bo had urged in the conversation
with his wife; and it must be confessed
that there were rational grounds for his
fears.
He who appears to be ascending the
hill of fortune, finds many to aid him
in reaching the summit; but the unfor
tunate who, having toiled to a certain
height, and are now evidently descend-
J ing, find few to arrest their progress. Too
many seem ready to accelerate their
downward course.
The first place at which he called was
the office of a commission merchant, ,
who had advertised for a " middle aged
man, well acquainted with business, Ac,
A.O.," qualifications which Mr. Blake
ly felt an undoubted assurance that he
possessed. ' On stating his business, a
clerk requested him to be seated, his em
ployer would be in directly, at the same
time surveying the applicant with a su
percilious and somewhat contemptuous
air, which plainly expressed the opinion
which he had formed of his claims to
their consideration.
Half an hour passed, and the employ,
er entered. Mr. Blakely 's name and ap
plication was laid before him by the
clerk. He stood for a moment quietly
observing him, and without waiting to
hear the qualifications he was about to
urge, said quietly:
" You will not answer my purpose,
sir."
The applicant turned away without
remonstrance, and left the fetore.
" Just as I expected," he said, to him
self. " I have every qualification which
his advertisement stated as requislte,but
he will not give me even time to state
them. My appearance does not Bult
him, and that is enough."
The next trial was at a large whole
sale dry goods establishment which had
advertised for a competent person in
their line; but no better successs attend
ed him. The refusal was equally decis
ive with the other ; and as he turned to
leave the store, he heard the employer
remark to the head clerk :
" I make it a rule never to employ a
person who looks as if he were unfortu
nate. Everything about that man
shows that he is going down hill."
" And therefore, you will give him a
push," mentally added Mr. Blakely ,and
half resolved not to try again, he walk
ed quickly through the busy street with
out any definite object.
But the thought of those dependent
upon him again urged another trial ;
and with desperate determination, he
resolved to make application at every
store in the street through which he was
passing.
But still he was unsuccessful ; and
with every failure, he became more and
more depressed, until his anxious coun
tenance could not fall to excite the ob
servation of those around him.
As he turned from the last shop, he
was accosted by a benevolent-looking
old gentleman in the garb of a Quaker,
who exclaimed in a friendly tone of iu
quiry :
" Looking for a situation, my frlendr1"
" Yes, sir," was the reply. " Can you
aid me in my search ?"
" Not directly. But I can give thee a
little advice, which, if acted rightly up
on, will finally help thee to obtain what
thee desires."
" Well, sir, I shall be grateful for your
advice."
" It is this. Look up"
At these words, Blakely raised his
eyes from the ground, supposing it to be
a command to look at his adviser; but
to his surprise, the old gentleman had
already turned, and was walking rapid
ly away in an opposite direction.
" Some Insane person," he muttered.
" I am in no humor for his folly;" and
sorrowfully he turned toward his own
home, quite convinced of the useless
ness of farther search.
His wife, not much surprised at his
failure, still endeavored to cheer him,
and proposed the plan suggested by
Grace. With some difficulty they ob
tained his sanction, to what he consid
ered as almost an absurd undertaking. .
Circulars were immediately printed
and distributed, and Grace and her
mother called upon many families in
the neighborhood, and made known
their intentions. Their lady-like and
pleasing appearance excited much inter
est, and they found little difficulty in se
curing a sufficient number of pupils to
encourage them In a beginning. The
school rapidly Increased, and before the
end of the first term, they had more ap
plieants than they could admit. Many
families in the city, attracted by the airy
pleasant situation, and the interest man
ifested by both teachers and pupils in
the school, were anxious that Mrs.
Blakely should receive their daughters
as boarders, the distance being too great
to permit their daily attendance. This
occasioned an extension of their plan.
A larger and more convenient house was
taken, and arrangements made for the
accommodation of boarders, and also for
the reception of a larger number of day
scholars.
Mr. Blakely viewed with wonder the
suecess of his wife and daughter. Why
was it that he alone should be rejected
because he was unfortunate? Surely
his family were involved In his misfor
tunes, and yet their exertions had pros
pered, and kind friends were around
them, euger and willing to assist them.
In what did the difference consist V
The words of the Quaker often came to
his mind, and though he had at first re
garded them as mere expressions of in
sanity, he now began to , suspect that
they In reality contained the advice
which the eccentric old gentleman had
said, If rightly followed, would ensure
him success. ' r
Look up Surely man formed In the
Image of his Maker, should not, like the
beast that perisheth,oast his eyes upon
the earth. Even when bowed down
by misfortune, he should strive to look
upward to the light which may yet illu
mine his path. ,
These thoughts had crowded forcibly
upon this mlnd,and they were confirmed
by a conversation with Grace, who, re
leased from the confinement of the school
bounded Joyously into the garden, where
her father was busied With some vines
and throwing her arms around his neck,
told him that he must smile on her
cheerfully as he used to do, for she had
good news for him.
" You deserve to be smiled upon, in
deed, my sweet child," he replied, gaz
ing fondly upon her animated counte
nance; " but what good news have you
for me V"
" One of the young ladles who attend
our school asked me to-day if my father
was in want of a situation as clerk, and
when I replied in the affirmative, she
said that her uncle requested him to call
at his office to-morrow morning. Here
is the number, 183 Water street," she
continued, handing her father a slip of
paper containing the street aud number.
" There may be something yet in store
for me, Grace."
" Indeed there may dear father. Only
think how well our school is succeeding.
The income from that alone could afford
us a comfortable support. Our heavenly
Father is always near to help us in the
hour of need."
" He is, my daughter, and blessed are
those who look up to Him for help."
The heart of the strong man was bow
ed, and his voice trembled with emotion.
Tears of ready sympathy stood in the
eyes of Grace as she whispered :
" Your heart will no longer be sad,
dear father. You will smile upon us
once more."
"Pray for me, my child. The dark
shadow has long been upon me; but,
with the help of God, I will no longer
be cast down. Even if this new open
ing proves delusive, I will not be dis
couraged, I will look up."
With a cheerful countenance, and a
step which fell musically upon the ear of
his wife, bringing to her remembrance
the days gone by, he descended to break
fast the following morning, and at an
early hour, was on his way to the city.
As he entered the office, answering to
the number upon the paper given him
by Grace, he was met by the same be
nevolent old Quaker who had proffered
his advice on a former occasion.
" Well, my friend," he exclaimed, ex
tending his hand. "Iam glad to see
that thou hast followed my advice and
learned to look vp. I have a situation
now at my command where thee can ob
tain a good salary, and without working
harder than is fitting for a man at thy
time of life. The best remedy for a man
who is going down hill is, to look up.
When earthly hopes fail, there is still
hope in heaven."
Raw Taste of Tobacco.
" J. W. F.," of New Cumberland writes
to the Scientific American :
" I have been a slave of tobacco for so
long that I"have given up the Idea of
ever stopping the use of It There is so
much of the plug tobacco that causes
the mouth to become raw, besides con
taining hair, feathers, and other little
dainties too numerous to mention, that
I have determined to use none but leaf
tobacco hereafter. Will you be kind
enough to tell me, through your valua
ble paper, how to remove the raw taste
from the natural leaf, and oblige a sub
scriber who fully appreciates the value
of the Scientific AmericanV
Answer. We believe that the com
mon method of removing the raw taste
that our correspondent complains of, is
to soak the tobacco in urine. Tobacco
thus treated and then sweetened with
molasses dirt, is considered " lovely,"
the " solace" of mankind, " honey
dew," etc.
Declensions and Conjugations.
Miss S. , an American heiress
and quite beautiful, has been exciting
much admiration in London during the
present season, and is about to marry,
it is said, the son of a nobleman con
nected with the royal household. Amer
ican heiresses are by no means shunned
abroad ; quite the contrary, for they are
generally as well educated and in every
way as presentable as their foreign sis
ters, and do not accept the first impecu
nious scion of nobility that has a coro
net about him. Some years ago the
daughter of an American minister in
Londonlwas much sought after by patri
clan youngsters. She was one day dis
covered writing letters, and observed,
" I am writing my declensions. This
London is a good enough place for flir
tations, but I mean to conjugate at
home."
Mm WHO ARE SUFFERING
from the elTeota of the warm weather and are
debilitated, are advised by physicians to take
moderate amonnta of whisky two or three
times daring the day. To a little while those
who adopt this advice frequently Increase the
number of "drinks" and In time become con
firmed inebriate. A beverage which will not
create thirst for lntoxlcatlnsr liquors, and which
It Intended especially for the benefit of debili
tated persona, whether at home or abroad, la
Dr. Scheock's Sea Weed Tonic. Containing
the Jnlcee of many medicinal herbs, this prep
aration does not create an appetite for the in
toxicating cup. The nourishing and the life
supporting properties of maay valuable natu
ral productions contained tn It and well-known
to medical men have a most strengthening In
fluence. A single bottle of the Tonlo will
demonstrate Its valuable qualities. From do
blllty arising from sickneBS, over-exertion or
from any causo whatever, a wine-glass full of
Boa Weed Tonlo taken after meal will
strengthen the stomach and create an appetite
for wholesome food. To all who are about
leaving their homes, we desire to ay that the
excellent effect of Dr. Bcheck's Reasonable
remedle, Bea Weed Tonic, and Mandrake
Pill, are particularly evident when taken by
those who are Injuriously affected by a change
of wator and diet. No person should leave
home without taking a supply of these safe
guards along. For sale by all Drugrlsts.31 Ira
M
USSER & ALLEN
CENTRAL STORE
NEWPORT, TENN'A.
Now oiler the public
A HARK AMD ELEGANT ASSORTMENT OF
DRESS GOODS
Consisting sf all shades suitable for the season.
BLACK ALP AC CAS
AND
Mourning Goods
A SPECIALITY.
BLEACHED AND UNBLEACHED
MUSLINS,
AT VARIOUS PRICES.
AN ESDLEia SELECTION OF PRINTS!
We sell and do keep a good quality ol
SUGARS, COFFEES & SYRUPS,
i
Aud everything under the head of
GROCERIES !
Machine Needles and oil for all makes of
Machines.
To be convinced that our goods are
CHEAP AS THE CHEAPEST,
IS TO CALL AND EXAMINE STOCK.
No trouble to show Roods.
Don't forget the , '
CENTRAL STORE,
Newport, Perry County, Pa.
$10
TO
$25
UAT 1
MADE by Agents In cities nd coun
try towns. Only necessary to show
samples to make sales and money, for
any one out of employment and dispos
ed to work. Used dally by all business
men. Send Stamp for circular, with
prices to agents. Address
" SPECIAL AGENCY."
Kendall Building, Chicago
JEATHER &C.
THE subscribor has now on hand at
LOW PKICE9,
Good Sole Leather,
Kip of Superior Quality,
Country Calf Skins,
French Calf,
LININGS, ROANS, &c.
F.Mortimer,
NEW BLOOMFIELD. PA.
TRESPASS NOTICE. Notice Is hereby by glv
eu to all persons not to trespass on the
grounds of the undersigned, situate in Madison,
aud Jackson townships, by picking berries, Msh.
lug, hunting, or theiwlse Im'i'aksiug, as they
will be dealt with according to law.
Hoi- V. Grey i Isaac hollknbadoh t
J. II. ( OMH 1
Una. Makv B. Kmith i
Solomon Howkks
1. Johnson i
W. . Okay i
Andkkw Tkostlb;
B. O. KM ITU ;
June W, 1S77. pd
Mug. Sahau Stamhahuu:
Jambs a, Anukhsom i
J Krtfc.; All llKNCU t
Jamkh Woods,
1). Stamuauuu;
TADIE8 AND CHILDREN will find a
j splendid assortment o( shoes at the one
price store of F. Mortimer.