Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-09-11
From Alexe nder's Weekly Messenger.

EARLY FoRTUNE.-Many persons seem 10
imagine tina, the greatest benefit which they
can bestow upon their offspring is to start
them in the world with fortune-to place
them at once beyond the spur Of necessity,
and where their successful seniors by twen-
ty years are contented to rest. and enjoy
the fruits of their labor--consequently ev-
cry effort of their lives is directed to this
end. They act upon that deceptive Tar-
lance, "money can purchase any Ming"-
and therefore make it the first and greatest
idol of their own lives, that they may be-
stow liboral share of it upon their chill
dren. Never was there more fatal delhi
um, and it is not without regret that we re-
cognize in it the prevailing ignuS fatui of the
present generation. Money purchase any
thing! Yes, that is the doctrine which has
ruled many a tender mother and afieCtionate
father, in the training up of their children
that has caused industrious habits to be
so rare in the "patrician es"-and that
has filled our promenades, and the hotels
with so many anticipated, fashionable fell
lOuS.
We have a case in point in our minds
eye," which is by no means singular sample
Ol the bUtCi Ol curly lOILuuS' II 10 uu
yiduai whom we occasionally meet upon the
streets, (whose name we must i'll deicacy sup.
press) not over thirty years OF age, and yet
| the very personfcaion of premature decay
He was an only son, and in youth the dote Of
his parents, who, with even pa-simonious care
boarded up their rents, and the profits of their
investments, with q view 10 Il handsome pro-
vision for him, and an independently at their
| ,l,, 4, I'D
he showed no part ocular natural prediction
for academic learning, and, therefore, it wa;
to him exceedingly rksolne; and Inpsmuch a.
he would be independent in The course of {
few wears, there was no part ocular necessity
thought his parents, for films; the boys heaC
with Latin, French, and mathematics
eve and send him home with the head
ache--suppressing his vivacty for the remain
der Of the day and evening. He knew ina
he had large estate in pectancy--that h
T was even then amply supplied, and his mind
naturally and habitually inactive-.-was mucl
more frequently delighted with strut dow
, Chestnut street, or a drive behind pair o
:, fast Ones" than any of the exercises of edl
, cation, and he found much more pleasure
the study of fashions, and youthful frolc, an
D than the simple routine Of the sophomore class
At twenty-five he found himself in posses
: sion of 100000, and aIoof from restraint, i
+ every sense of the word, which soon gave hi
l. an emnence In those branches of "useii
learning" in which fashionable fellows Of fu
tune are known to excel--wlne women, fast
ions, games and horses. lie drove rs fine
: pair OF bloods" ever went round Il
$ course in three minutes, and seldom absente
II HIMSELF from good running match, where
l. would bet with peculiar zest on the avori
nag. lie soon fell into the clutches OF II
e. "sIool pidgeons" and "knowing ones" of II
8. gaming rooms and The race ground-vsit
~ their bells" frequently-and was whired
:! an eddy of fashion, fun and lrolic-unlhougl
'o full prodigali,y and ipa;ion-unriI his q
~ haus,ed means dispelled the dizziness Of
! n career, and enabled him 10 see that he h
Is been the dupe Of liber,ines and swIndlers, "
ID had now cast him off, minus means and healI
TO drag out a miserable existence for The r
he mainder Of his years, without pity or cohso
II. lion even from his own connexions.
w This is by no means an uncommon case ev
to in our own city; we could point to a numb
an Of equally deplorubIc instances Of the res