From Wealth to Poverty | Page 7

up all
the capital which was left him by his father and has drawn heavily on
his wife's means. From what I hear, I would conclude he has but a few
hundred pounds left to take him to America. I pity his wife. She was a
charming girl, so beautiful, so clever, and yet so modest. Many a man
envied Ashton his prize. And you know that many an eligible girl
would like to have stood in her shoes and been the bride of Richard
Ashton, for he was considered one of the best catches in the
matrimonial market. Such is life; then it was high noon with him, and
all smiled upon him; now, none so poor as to do him reverence."
This conversation gives a true outline of the actual state of affairs.
Richard Ashton, at the date of which we are speaking, found absolute
ruin staring him in the face, and he now knew he must either sell or be
sold out. He wisely chose the former alternative, while there was some
chance of saving a little for himself.
Poor Ruth, it almost broke her heart. Her guardian had died before her
husband had so utterly fallen, and his wife had preceded him to the
grave. She had now lost every near relative, with the exception of her
husband and children. But every one who had been at all intimate with
her was her friend, and ready to give sympathy and help. She felt
grateful for the many expressions of kindness she had received, and it

was a severe trial to sever the cords which bound her to those whom
she had known so long, and to leave her dear native land and old home
to go among strangers who were thousands of miles away. But though
it was hard to part, she thought it would be for the best--it could
scarcely be for the worse. She was rashly advised by some not to go, as
they said, "there was no knowing how utterly he might fall, and then, if
she were among strangers, she and her children might be brought down
to the deepest depths of poverty and woe." But she nobly replied, "he is
my husband and the father of my children, and no matter how he is
despised by others he is inexpressibly dear to me, and I will never
forsake him 'till death do us part,' no matter what may befall."
Soon after the conversation I have just narrated ensued, Richard Ashton
settled up his business gathered the small remnant of his fortune
together, and he and his family set sail for that land of
promise--America. It was with sad forebodings that Ruth bade her
friends a long, and, as it proved to be, a final farewell.
She stood upon the deck of the gallant vessel that bore them away, and
as she saw the land she loved so well slowly fade from view and grow
dimmer and dimmer as the distance lengthened, until it seemed as a
haze upon the dreary waste of waters, there was a feeling of
inexpressible sadness took possession of her. She involuntarily drew
closer to her husband, and gave expression to the emotions of her soul
by sobbing as though her heart would break. He lovingly threw his arm
around her waist and drew her closely to him, soothing her sorrow by
loving caresses. As the old look shone in his eye, he gently whispered,
"God helping me, my darling, I will be a better man, and, as far as I can,
I will redeem the past."
After landing in New York he remained there a short time to visit some
old friends, and then pushed through to the beautiful city of Rochester,
where a relative of his resided. Here he purchased an unpretentious but
cozy little cottage, situated not far from Mt. Hope. It had a latticed
porch, which was in summer-time covered with honeysuckles; and the
cottage was embosed in flowering trees and morning glories. It had at
the back a very fine garden, which also contained numerous peach trees

and a delightful snuggery of a summer-house, whose sides were
covered with lattice-work, over which clambered the vine, and through
whose interstices, in their season, hung bunches of luscious grapes. In
the front there was a nice lawn, with circular flower beds; in attending
to which Ruth and her two children (Eddie and Allie) spent many
happy hours.
After a short delay, he, through the influence of his friends, obtained
employment as book-keeper for a large dry goods firm in the city.
When he first began his engagement, his salary was comparatively
small; but when his capabilities were recognized, his employer, who
was a man of gentlemanly instincts, and was also generous in his
dealings with those