He had children whom he loved, and a wife on whom he doted.

The former turned their backs on him; the latter died broken-hearted.

He went with the stream--it had ever been his failing, and he had not courage sufficient to bear up against so many shocks--he had never cared for himself, and the only being who had cared for him, in his poverty and distress, was spared to him no longer.

It was at this period that he applied for parochial relief.

Some kind-hearted man who had known him in happier times, chanced to be churchwarden that year, and through his interest he was appointed to his present situation.
He is an old man now.