Australian Tales - Setis

“You have no idea how that cheered me, sir. It was like a shower in a
season of drought, and my heart was as light as a poppy head in a
minute. How I did bless the day when I first saw her dear face! Seeing
that she could bear trouble so nobly, I opened my mind freely to her, and
I was really surprised at the solidity and practical character of her
counsel, and her ready plans for retrenchment. We did retrench, sir — we
dismissed all our servants except two, dispensed with our carriage, and
economised in every way we could; and though our circle of fashionable
visitors was lessened in consequence (which we found to be an
advantage), our real friends did not desert us, and we had the satisfaction
of knowing that we were gradually recovering ourselves. My wife's
inspiriting conduct put new courage into me, and I went to work like a
skilful mariner to save my shattered bark from foundering. The fortunate
expedient of boiling down sheep and cattle, saved me the necessity of
sacrificing my real property, and though it was a hard struggle with us
for several years, we eventually weathered the storm. Times gradually
improved, as you are aware, sir, and soon after the gold was discovered
in the colony, I found myself in more affluent circumstances than I had
ever been before.
“My children have grown up to comfort me in my old age — you know
the positions they occupy in society, sir. Poor Davy was the only sad
exception, and his case was a powerful warning to the others. One of
these days, I may tell you in confidence some of the particulars of his
deplorable career, and what was the cause of his fine constitution being
ruined, and his intellect shaken to idiocy. Oh, sir, I often shudder when I
see the thoughtless way in which some parents discharge the responsible
duties devolving upon them, and I long to speak to them and offer some
hints on matters which it is important to study, if they value their
children's souls and bodies. I have had the pain of seeing many young
persons cut off in the bloom of life, through yielding to certain debasing
practices acquired in childhood. I need not speak plainer to you, sir, for I
think you will understand me, but if not, I refer you for information to
‘Todd's Student's Manual,’ chap. 4. The testimony of an eminent
philanthropist, (whose recent death was a great loss to our community)
has proved how deeply he thought upon that subject to which I allude.
Moreover, I have in my desk a cleverly written treatise, in manuscript,
from the pen of one of the first physicians in the colony, which not only
depicts the terrible consequences of the sinful habit, but proves, alas, that
it is sadly prevalent. I heartily wish that I could ensure the perusal of that
treatise by every parent in the land. I am sure it would arouse them to
watchfulness.
“A short time ago I heard a Rev. Doctor relate an anecdote of a poor
widow who lived near a railroad, on some part of the sea coast of
England. One winter night, during a violent snow storm, the sea broke