Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1851-12-13

"PITY HIS FAMILY" A man falls into embar-
easements, which ultimately overwhem him in
bankruptcy or drive him into roguery and crime.
lie was yesterday respected; influential, and sup
posed to be afiuent and his family were well treat
ed,and they treated themselves accordingly but
to-day he disgraced and steered clear of-without
resources or prospects-very likely in prison; and
exposed to ignominious punishment. "Vile wretch'
says the million; at is good enough for him, but
We must pity his family"
Certainly we must pity them; pity all who suf-
fer-still more all who sin and suffer. They need
pity, and there is no danger that shall pity them
too much. But the impression conveyed of the
innocence of the fallen mans family, and their un-
merited exposure to want and ignominy, is often
very far from the truth.
In fact half the men who are loathed as drag
ging down their families to shame and destitution,
are really themselves dragged down by those fam
llles-drlven to bankruptcy, shame and crime, by
the thodghtless and basey selfish extravaganza of
wife and children. Let man be in the way of re-
ceiving considerable money, and having property
In his hands, and his family can rarely be made to
comprehend and realize that there is any limit to
his abilities to give and to spend. Fine dresses
for wife and daughters; spending money and broad
cloths for hopeful sons; costly parties every now
and then and richer furniture, and more of 1t at all
times; these are a few of the blind drains on the
governors" means which are perpetually in ac-
ton. "Oh, what's hundred dollars to man do
ing such business Z" is the indignant question in
case of any demur or remonstrance on his part.
Not one of them could bear TO disgrace him by earn
ing dollar; they can't see how man who can get
discounts in Bank need ever be short of money or
stingy in using it. All his talk of difficulties or
hard times they regard customary fables intend
ed to scrimp their drafts on his purse, enhance
their sense of his generosity. When it Is so easy
to fill up check, why will he be hoggish ?-Let
him give fifty dollars to any philanthropc object,
or invest five hundred dollars, however safely, in
any attempts to meliorate the suferngs of the poor
and they clearly that he has hordes ofgold,
and can just well give them all dresses and jew
els as not. Thus the man of means or of business
is too often regarded by his family as sponge to
be squeezed, a goose to be plucked, an orange to
be sucked, spring to be drank from when thirsty,
without at all diminishing its flow. The stuff is
there in profusion- only trouble is to make him
give it up.
In vain he demonstrates lmplores-puts down
his foot. He cannot be eternally contending with
those he loves; he wants quiet at home In order
to mature his plans and perfect his operations lfhe
resists importantly, the pumps are set going, and
what man can stand the April showers offeminne
sorrow? He gives way at last, and throws down
the money demanded, hoping that some great news
by the next steamship, some turn of luck in his
business will make it up to him. Perhaps it does,
and he floats on; perhaps it don't, and this last
feather has broken the elephants back The end,
however, near distant is morally certain. Treat
ed always as a mine to be opened at will, he finally
grows desperate, and rushes into reckless specula-
ton or blasted crime, and is overwhelmed with
ruin. "Selfsh villain," cry the ignorant crowd
show could he run such career? How We pity
his family" No doubt of it. But if you knew
more, perhaps you would pity him.