Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-09-22
MISCELL AN Y,
"Im.Gotten Gains will not last"

Irecollect when a child MY father would
frequently say,when speaking Of those who
become suddenly rich. "1ll-gotteh gain
will not last" This made deep impress
sion upon my mind, and whenever have
seen men accommodating property by gam
bling, lotteries, or fraud Of any kind, the
proverb rushes upon my mind, "Ill-gotten
gain will not last"
Thirty ye ars ago Mr.. WV was con-
sidered the richest man in Jefferson county
n. Y, and he was great gambler, and it
was said that he obtained the most of his
money by gambling. He built splendid
mansion of hewn limestone-the most cost
" in Sacketts Har5or, and he lived in a
princely style.
On my return TO my native land; felt
curious to know what had become of
Vt, and, on inquiry, learned that
he was dead. Did he die rich? "No he
became insolvent." Who owns that splend-
id mansion? at was solo under the ham
mer." Where is his widow? "Support-
ed by charity,a poor disconsolate creature" "
His children, where are they "Do not
know; the boys became proAigate vaga-
bonds, and the last that was heard of them
they were on the lakes and western waters,
the lowest gamblers"
On visiting Watcrtown, the county seat,
striking contrast came to my recollection
That lovely site that overlooks the town,
the house half concealed by shady grove,
where the sweet wablers vie with each
other in their ever varying notes.-the grav-
ell walks bordered by beautiful flowers, fill
ing the air with sweet perfume-entered by
white gate, overhung by honey-suckle:
attracting the humming-bird-a garden laid
out in the most tasteful style, at the same
time affording the richest variety of vege-
tables-an orchard containing the most del
icious fruit. This Eden was owned
MW-y, paymaster to the United States
army. This man stood high in public estI-
nation. He had two lovely daughters, the
pride of the village. Nothing seemed to be
wanting to make this home paradise.
On his way to the army with large a
mount of money to pay to the soldiers he
was robted of $4,000 all except few
thousand dollars he had concealed about
his person. He was shot, slightly wounded,
tied to tree, and the robbers, had fled
Efforts were made to find the robbers, but
all in vain. The men who were his securi-
ty, suspected that there might be some foul
play on the part of M'W--y; they de.
coved him into the woods, and there told
him he had the money, and if he did not
confess it, they had determined to drown
hin,-that if they had the money to pay
they would be ruined, and they would run
the risk of being detected He denied hav-
ing the money, and they thew him into the
creek, and held him till life was nearly ex-
tinct, and then pulled him out and asked
him where the money was. He still per-
sisted in his innocence. They put him in
again, holding hlm under water little
longer. He was asked again & again pro-
tested he knew not where the money was.
Come, said ore of the men IN bold tone,
let us dispatch him at once; we will be
discovered If we daily along" at the same
time seizing him rashly to throw him in.
"Stop gentlemen" said M'W--y.
II will tell you-my wife has the money.
She took it and would not give it up, and
had to resort to this stratagem to prevent
detection"
They called q physician they had con-
cealed behind tree, lest they sould 60 so
far in their hydropathic eXperimen. as to
need counsel. Two of them kept him in
custody, while the others fastened to the
house. They found Mrs. M'W--v lock-
ed III her room. Without ceremony they
broke open the door-found her upon her
bed pretending to be sick. Being request
ed rather unceremoniously, she arose, and
they found the money quilted into pair
Of drawers nearly finished, to be worn by
herself, concealed between the beds. This
was too much for the proud spirit Of his.
M'W--y, to lose the morey and her
character too. The next laornlng she was
seen floating down the Black river. She
had drowned herself
In the same place lived Mr.. B, a
member Of the church and a consistent
christian. He was first and foremost IN
every guod word and work. He was an
enterprsing man, and had erected man
.ufacturing establishment. He had built
an excellent church at his own expense,
ito accommodate the operatives and the poor
IN the neighborhood. His mandatory was
burned down, and he lost all his property,
except that which he had given away
There stands the church still a monument
OF his muniicence, and blessing to hum
dreds. Andso strictly honest was he, and
50 honorable in his dealings that on going to
the west, his creditors were willing to start
him again in prosperous business
Here were two individuals similar in
many respects, but perfect contrast in
others, In the commencement of their
career they were both wealthy-hc..n re-
spectacle, and moved in the f.rst cir..; .
society-both enterprisir.s. am 10Th Ias
and neIr properly ropt,ast pu' ere the parallel ends
""' " '?i',' 10 commences, The one wa
governed by benevolent motives, the 9th