Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-11-17

it required no small share of prudence iathe
management Of his affairs, to make efery
thing neetin the end ofthe year. All cried
he, shall never get forward, nor rise aboye
the middle condition in which | at pt@en
fnger.' In the midst Of these r6Raa
thoughts, a paper, Inviting advenrurers to
purchase shares in the Lottery, was put into
lis hands. He seemed as if inspired by
fortune. and caught the idea Immediately
Without considering the incompetence to
which his c~oyetorsness might redpe him, he
FASTENED to the Lottery Office. asi there laid
out forty dollars. From this moInent he
waited with patience for the trawing, nor
conld he find repose even aynight on his
pillow. lie sometimes repetted of having
SO foolishly hazarded what b could not well
bear the loss Of, and at oths times he fancied
he saw riches pouring in ufon him from all
quarters. At last the dra3ing began, and il
the midst of his hopes andfears, fortune pro-
sided him with a prize d twenty thousand
dollars. Having receiBd his money, he
thought Of nothing else FIR days ; but when
his imagination cooled JIittle, be began 70
think what use he shouly pat it to. lie there
fore increa ed his stock extended bis bosi-
ness, and by care and assiduity in trade, soon
doubled his capital. u less than ten yeaf,
he became one Of the richest men ia al tssat
country. Up to this time lie had kept his
promise, in being the friend and patE9B 20
the poor ; for the sight of a poor beATcals
ways put him in mind Of his former dndit-
) ion and pleaded hard in behalf of the poor
and distressed.
As he now frequented gay compani, he
e by degrees began to contract a habit i luz
nry and dissipation. He purchased a plen-
. did country house with elegant gardeas and
: his life became (apparently) a scene dlnin
f terrupted pleasures and amusements Al
this extravaganza, however, soon convinced
him that he was considerably reducing hr
fortune and his trade, which he had giver
9 up to be the more at leisure for the enioy
4 ments of the bottle and pleasures no onge
L enabled him to repair it. Besides, having
n been so long accustomed to put no restrain
on his vanity and pride, he could not slbmi
to the meanness OF lessening his expenses
shall always have enough for mlysel
q thought he, and let others take care of them
selves. As his fortune decreased, SO did h;
# feelings for the distressed, and his heart ore
i caIlous to the cries OF misery, as with indi
d ference We hear the roaring TEMPEST vile
e sheltered from It's favp. F4iaaaa%he.n4
had till then still supported, came as usus
to impIore Lis bounty; but he received thel
- : roughly and forbid them his house. Am
SAID he, to squander my fortune upon you
Do as have done, and get one for youfse
yes ?
ID his poor unhappy mother, from whom |
n had taken half the pension he used to allo
her, came to beg a corner in any part Of b
house, where she might finish her few i
: naming days but he was SO cruel as to !
Sc fuse her request, and with the utmost ind
ID ference saw her perish for want.
IS, The measure ofhis crimes, however, w
or now nearly filled. His wealth was all 10,
exhausted in drunken debauches and 9th
excuses, and he had neither the i~ncliaati,
nor ability to return to bis trade. Mise
:, soon overlook him, and brought him to til
state IN which you now see him. He be
his bread from door to door, an object of &C
=, rfouegr; sUGEF1l
Of pie anda just example Of the indignation
OF the Almighty
vs. Albert told his father that if fortune ma
men 50 wicked and miserable, he wished
IL remain as he was, above pity, and secu
VI from contempt.
~ Il Think often of this story. dear reader, al
y learn from this example, that no true hap
~ ness can be enjoyed, unless We feel for t
~ mlsfortunes OF others. 1t is the rich man
le 4uty, to relieve the distresses of the %,
: and IN tins more solid pleasure is 0un
than can be expected from the enelyati
7 excuses of Luxury and Pomp.
- BENJAMIN.