Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-11-23

Trouble about a log Chain.

Mrs. Swlsshelm writes for the Pittsburg
Eisiter the subjoined Romance in Real Life, ,
which reads very much as if it were true.
Few passions are more debasing than the love
of money for its own sake. 1t destroys MI the
better principles of the mind, and all the
hearts tenderest, truest, and best affections.
A sadder picture than this, of heartless hu-
mainly, is rarely seen:
There was burial lately and he who
was dead, had. but the day before, looked out
on sleek cattle, strong horses, bending fruit
trees, and broad acres, all his own. In his
desk lay title deeds TO city property, and
acknowledgements of cash at interest: so that
the value of his possessions was variously es-
tlmated at from twenty thousand dollars to
twice that amount. He had begun life poor,
and made his first stage on the road to fortune,
in small retail liquor business, where he had
often served lads, mere children, with pen
nys worth of stimulant, and taken bits of old
iron or broken glass in exchange. From
these small beginnings, he rose TO be man of
importance, but ever pursued habits Of very
'strict economy His wife and children were
well instructed in the value Of money, before
he, IN llfe's autumn, was called 10 resign it
into their hands. To show that they had
profted by his precept and example, member
of his family visited an undertaken, when
coffin was required for his accommodation,
and made SO close bargain, that the under
taker did not feel it would pay to give his per-
sonal attention TO the interment, but sent the
narrow chamber with a driver; and, said one
who was an onlooker, of all his possessions
he had not the benefit Of shroud, glove, or
stocking; but, rolled up in the sheet on
which he had died, with great difficulty, for
want of assistance, placed in his coffin, when
second trouble occurred TO get the lid screwed
ON, the driver not understanding the operation.
This once accomplished, all hands, including
male mourners, were required to get it placed
IN the hearse. A sympathizing neighbor in
CURED Of the fayorite daughter of the deceased,
Did he look like hmselfp do not know, ,
was the reply Il did not look at him. She
had left the house, without looking at him,
two hours after he was pronounced past recov-
cry, and only returned to attend the funeral.
The same neighbor inquired of the driver if
there was a lock on the hearse wheelsf No.
Would the horses hold back well1 Did not
know; when Mr.. Benevolence protested there
must be some way of locking the wheels, as
there was very steep hill to go down on the
road to the grave. While search was made
for some means Of securing the wheels, the
mourners stood out ready TO enter the one car
iage which was to take them, and which had
been supplied and was 10 be driven by this
same Mr.. B.
All that could be found to take the place Of
lock was log chain, and when this was
brought forward, The favorite daughter, whom
we shall call Lady Log Chain, exclaimed : If
he takes that, he must leave it on the road or
we shall never get it again -
The short cortege started. The hill was
reached, and the wheels made last with the
log chain, but still so abrupt was the descent
and SO badly trained the horses, that there an
peared imminent danger of being tumbled into
ravine, horses, hearse, driver and all. Mr..
BenevOlence became excited and forgot about
the log chain; so, it is probable, did the driver,
for when he reached the foot of the hill, in
stead OF depositing it at the road side, TO be
t1ken home by the mourners on their return,
as he had been directed to do, he threw the
heavy links up on his foot-board, perhaps
thinking that they might be again wanted be-
lore the trip was finished
Mr.. Benevolence, in his relief at seeing the
CONN safe at the bottom of the hill, overlooked
'nis looking towards petty larceny: not so
the mourning daughter, for in great alarm she
called out, there now, he is taking it with
him.
Never mind once more repeated the sure
~ for the log chain, as nc laid his hand upou
her shoulder to keep her in her seat. sNeve,
mind, will make him leave M
90 when he was himself safely at the foo
Of the hill, he called out, Halloo there y bu
she rattle of the hearse's wheels kept III,
driver from hearing.
lie is not stopping said Lady L., an,