The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-13
(sELECTED FOR TIE BANNER.
PROFIT AND LOSS.

ment was formed between myself and
a youth, somewhat my senior, named
Charles L.. Perhaps the only
material difference in our dispositions
was, that l was impctuous, ardent and
confding: while my friend was cool,
calculating and suspicious From carly
education, l was taught to look upon
riches only as means of happiness
while my friend looked upon the accu-
mutation of wealth as happiness itself
AT early life, both started even in the
race of life. The one in the pursuit of
happiness the other in the pursuit of
riches. The city Of our birth, for some
time, was the theatre of our business
transactions: and the most perfect conf
dence and the greatest intimacy existed
between us.
Time and circumstances, however,
separated us remaining in the city
of our birth, and he removing TO the
grca, metropolis of our country. Lea
wing the ardent pursucr of happiness in
the quiet home of his youth, we will
follow the anxious seeker Of SoW from
his desk as clerk, to his counting house
as importer.
A more upright, honorable, high
minded man, no where existed. No
one dare breathe suspicion against his
character for fair and open dealing. No
charge, save that of an overwcaning
desire &c "gct gain," was or could be
preferred against him, and to this end, his
soul and all his energies were directed.
His calculations were made with the
incest accuracy, his plans laid with the
protoundest judgment, and carried out
with the greatest care and precision.
The indications of change in the mark
ct were watched and spcculatcd upon
with a foresight almost supernatural,
and no advantage was suffered to es-
cape his ever vigilant eye. The earli-
est hour of business found him in his
counting room, and the hour Of mid
night witnessed his devotion to his
hearts desire. And if continued
stream Of wealth, almost inexhaustible,
could have appcased the cravings of his
soul, he now had secured it. Every
breeze seemed favorable-every turn
of the wheel of fortune increased his
store. He added house to house and
store to store, while his ships spread
their broad canvass to every breeze, and
waited their rich treasure to and from
every cline. With every new acquisi-
ton of wealth he experienced new de-
sires, and LAID wider and deeper his
plans of operation. His mind seemed
! to expand and acquire new and enlarged
energies, as his increasing business
made its demands.
Years rolled on, and in their flight,
brought the wealth of all climcs and
laid it at his feet. But he had piled
upon his mental and physical system,
by far too ponderous weight, which,
in last gigantic effort; crushed them
both. Death came like the electrick
spark, and in an instant of time, he pas
sed from this to another world. How
changed was now the scene IN that
world which he had carved out for his
own special use.
saw him but moment since in the
full viger of life, eager as ever in grasp
ing at his ldol-now frigid in death.
t1OW mOuIHlu1 anu SduuCEIHS the
change! The disconsoIate family
weeping friends-thc darkcned room
the halfhoisted fag-and the slow toll
ing bell, spoke in tones peculiar to them
selves.
;. My duty, as his executor, made me
acquainted with the extent of his for
tune. It was indeed princeTy. shall
never, however, forget the emotions with
which I looked into his ledger, as my
eye fell upon the page headed "pgofii
and loss" My eyes, tired with gazing
at the numerous sums which went to
make up the vast aggregate of,his gains
ran over the items and was amazed
ri had almost said gratified-that his
plans Of gain bad been so successful. ]
looked ALMOST in vain on the opposite
side tor lte9ae of loss-they were as droF
in the ocea; and I was bewildered in
the condensation of the scene it pre-
sented. Tie more. I lndulged the con