The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-07-11
For the Standard.
Il e A " E s
PORTFOLIO OF A BACHELOR.


PORTFOLIO OF A BACHELOR.
Not many years ago, there lived in one of
our beautiful villages, what might be vulgarly
termed, ian old baeh,' he had erected for him
self beautiful mansion, fitted it with every
thing that heart could wish, decorated his
grounds with shrubery of every variety, and
fitted for himself what he thought would be
pleasant home, where he could live and enjoy
his state of single blcssodncss unmocstcd, ev-
cry thing was arranged in the incest order for
his comma1d, (and for his alone,) we can plain
ly see from this act, that selishness was tho
reigning principle in his heart. He made self
his all absorbing theme, wo have been taught
by the book Of Inspiration that such are they,
who are spiked 10 tho cross of infamy, and
should their memory survive the moments of
dissolution, it will go down to postcrity embalm-
ed in the baptism Of disgrace.
He viewed his grounds, his house--coun is
the many thousands ho has labored diligently
to Obtain all at the full satisfaction, that he a
lone is o enjoy the fruits Of his !abors, yet he
Is always pleading poverty when paper is
presented to him to sign bis namo with few
dollars, for some benevolent purpose, if he
pcrchance, goes to the house of God. he takes
caro- to leave his purse at home in some box
under lock and key. This penurious habit ho
formed in his younger days, it still haunts him.
II never let's sixpcnce lay loose in his pock-
c. for fear it might slip through his fingers,
and all at once it is missing.
~ Ii .,,tr fn,
fear some one of tho other sex, would engracia-
ate themselves into his good favor, thinking in
the meantime moro of his thousands than that
of his honorcd SELF He thinks because he has
barbored such inveterato feelings towards
those of the fair sex, that while they are COM
plimenting him upon his Gnc grounds, his
beautiful situation, and tho comforts to be Gu
ioyed, by having such pleasant homes they
are looking out for that little dust that is hid
so snugly in his safe, where it has remained
entombcd for years, he is always heaping somo
dreadful epithets upon the ladies', thinking
they arc mere pieces of vanity.
We will leave him now, and read few lines
that has fallen from his Portfolio, which will
carry us back to the days of his youth. it begins
as follows:-The age Of sixteen found me
needless boy, with very vicious and roaming
disposition. At that age, left my father
house, bid my home and friends farewell, and
started on dangerous expedition.
1t was clear and delightful morning in May,
that took last sad look upon the place OF
my nativity, the place where my childhoods
happy hours were spent, whero many pleas
ing, and endearing associations had been form.
cd. Twas there my boyish affections had
been placed upon ono whose future destiny
had connected with my own, and dreamed that
some day my youthful imaginations would be
reality, yet regardless of tho entrcaties made
for my delay, l persisted in doing that whicl
would mako me appear courageous and man
ly in the sight of tho world. Many wear,
days and nights spent in rehectng upon my
departure from homo, the yearning admoni
tions of an aged mother and fathor rung il
my ears. The form of gentle sister was viv
idly before my eyes, and every thing connec
ted with the loved spot that my infancy knew
haunted my waking dreams,
Years rolled on, my habits in the meantim
had become vile and degrading. aecu
pulated a splendid fortune with cards and 9th
or things, in WHICH il was ever my delight 4
be engaged in. l then thought it was time
was making preparations to return to my HON
and friends. did so, but how changed wa
the appearance of the old homestead, a shrut
or flower, marked it not.
The home of my boytood, looked for i
vain. Alas! few to tell the talo of years, m
idol as it were, (for whose sake had returne
TO the homo of my fathers,) lad gone -
Yes she had grown up with all the beauty an
loveliness could bestow She had become tn
wife OF my brother, who was noble and gene
rous, and had found homo in moro genis
cline. Although ] was proud TO call her si'
ser, yet always had rcmorsc Of conscenc,
that from the conduct of my youth. had sac
rfced SO much happiness. Tho wrctchcdnes
of my heart was ipoxpressabie, but it Is enoug
to add the life of clever old bachelor. Ihav
strictly adheared to my promise, as you wi
plainly see, and am now ready to dio. M
cup of life is nearly filed to the brim, and
sm only waiting to receive the welcome mar
date that shall call me to . brighter and bette
world, ILL., M.