Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-11
Smoag Ataomg.
From the Nsac- Yo,k Observer.
THE DETERMINED SITIcTDE,


We are placed as stewards over whatever amount
of this worlds goods our master has seen At 10
place IN our hands, and it is our duty to watch
over it and guard it, whether we be the possessor
of ten talents Or of five talents, or only of one
talent.
was led to think seriously of this subject by an
incident which friend related to me the other day
the truth of which he vouched for.
A resident in New-York city called one evening
on gentleman with whom he was not personally
acquainted, but of whom ne had learned much
through his great beneyolence and many judicious
charities. "Sir, said he, as he introduced himself
You do not know who / am. ! have come on a
periIous GRAND. called to tell you that / had
made my WILL and leave all my property to YOU -
ITO me, said the astonished man, you must be
mistaken Sir, never saw you before that recol-
lect you cannot mean me-"
Listen to me moment, said the other, and you
viii find that am not mistaken, that what | have
| done is upor mature deliberatiOn. | am very
rich man, Sir, and know who you are, and what
you are, and know you are one who will spend
my money most advantageously and do more good
with it than any one else, have selected you to
be my heir. AS told you, Sir, / am a very rich
man, but most unhappy man, am alone in the
world, cares for me; if should die to night,
not one tear would be shed for me. had a wife
once, and little boy, but they have gone, they
died years ago, Sir, and it almost broke my heart
now no one cares for me, and fear / care for no
one on the earth-here he paused moment, and
bowling his head in his hands he remained silent
at length recovering himself, he continuation a
long time sir, it has been a matter of doubt with
me what should do with my property so have
to the conclusion, sir, to place it where it can
do the most good. have learned much of your
humble, transformations charities, and have con-
cuded to leave it all to you"
perhaps you will outIiye me, sir, replied the
other; you are younger man THAI myself, and
look more likely to live long than L do.'
"No, sir, he replied, there you are mistaken, my
mind is made up. l intend to make away with
myself, sir. | don't wish to live any longer.
find that l am no use in the world, and while live
my money is of no use, so j have concluded to
destroy myself and let my money be left to bless
others, it never blessed me, don't say any thing
sir. know all you would say my mind is made
up, nothing can change it, my will is made, and to-
morrow 5 sun will not find me among the living,
and just called to say this to you that you might
know that you are my heir, and there can be no
mistake made about it, ... --
"You are not in your right mind sir indeed;
your brain is diseased; l decline taking the pro-
perry and will have nothing to do with it under
these circumstances.
'NIy mind is perfectly sound, sir; my conclusion
is the result of months deliberation; nothing can
change me you can't help yourself about reeeiy-
ing the money. II / am found dead, and having
no immediate relatives, my win is found properly
drawn up and duly witnessed leaving you all my
property you can't help yourself there is no other
person am willing to leave it TO-"
But you are rash, sir, do not he 50 hasty; put
off this awful plan of selfdestruction and do good
with your money, and make others happy"
"NO, sir, cant--I wont-theyll be happier
without me than with me-
But my dear sir, this announcement of yours
takes me so by surprise, will you not defer that
awful deed until have seen you again, call to-
morrow and let me hear something of the state of
your property and what you want me TO do with
it."
"Well,' said he, some day longer won't make
much difference but you must not try to change
my plan, or will hasten matters, but give you
my word, sir, that will not do it tonight. I'll
call to see you in the morning, and talk with you
about some of my investments. 1 will bid you
good evening sir" and he left the room
Our friend sat long while meditating upon his
strange visitor, something so startling so awful in
the thought of this determined suicide, what could
be done so save him from selfdestruction; throw
ing himself upon his knees, he asked guidance Of
Him who will ever aid those who come to Him in
trouble, it seemed as though light had broken in
upon him as he kneeled there in humble suppIiea-
ton and he rose with his mind at case, the path of
duty seeming to lie open before him, and he con-
cluded to wait patiently until the next morning.
At the appointed hour the wretched man arri-
we'd. He looked even more sorrowfHl and deter
mined than he did on the previous evening. "Wi
you accompany me upon few errands' said our
friend, Il have few places to call at, and if you
will go with me, we viii converse by the way"
So saying, he put his arm within that Of the
other, and two went forth in the street together.
Il must 90 up here first sir, said our friend "as
he proceeded down one of the flthiest lanes in the
city, and approaching very miserable house, he
began ascending the staircase. He reached the
fourth story of the crazy building, and paused at
low door, and raped gently with his hand.
"COme in," was family uttered inside. They en-
tered the miserable apartment What scene of
utter destitution and wretchedness was here pre-
sented. On miserable bed in the corner of the
room was female form wasted to the last degree
of emaciation little child, about two years old,
shared her bed and three other little children sat
covering around the room as if they were only
| waiting to die.
| johnny will 60 next" said the woman in a fec
bic voice. Little Mamie has gone. Ny baby
they took her away yesterday though 1 kept her
from them as long as | could, she had been dead
six days when they took her" but she whispered,
81 burst not tell them. Johnny can't sit up now,
SIR and them poor little creatures there sir, hardly
! able tO hear their own weight what can Va do ~