The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-09-28

mousse other visitors Deslde mysel py one
Of whom, in the course Of the evening, tho
name Of Mr.. Wcsterton was introduced (,
and very much to my astonishment, heard
him referred to rs one Of the most liberal,
generous, unselfsh men in the whole neigh
borhood around.
DO you mean Mr.. Henry Westerton, Of
such and such house in the city, and whose
name is on this card = ! asked, producing
the card, and handing II to the speaker.
yes, the same; are you acquainted with
him !! he asked.
Il have some slight acquaintance with
him. answered rather coldly for could
not but fancy that the praises heard were
not quito deserved. 'westerton is rich now,
thought 1; and he may not have the temp.
tations 60 meanness which he once had
but
Have you known him longp asked my
friend, breaking into tho current Of my
thoughts.
'Tknew him moro intimately somo years
ago than I do now, and when he was in diff
lerent circumstances (; but accidentally fall.
ing in with him to-day, ho has invited me
to renew our former acquaintance
(which you will do, Of course
Il am not certain I replied; Il should
like to know somethin: more about him first
My wish in this particular was gratifod.
To Judge from the encomiums which were
heaped upon him, Mr.. Westerton was q pat
tern Of unostentatious benevolence, I was
told that he lived in simple inexpensive
way, though his income must bo very con.
siderable-but not in order to save: II was
copjectured, indeed, that he gave away
every yesr far more than he expended in bis
own establishment
Concerning his own family, learned that
it was happy one 4: and that his wifo sec,
onded, by all means in her power, the noble
efforts Of her husband ir the cause Of relig.
ion and benevolence.
An hour or two later, and | was left alone
with my friend.
'You seem in silent mood no said,
after on attempt or two to draw me into
continuous conversation had failed.
Il am thinking, answered, of Mr.. Wes-
terton, and am trying to account for the
change which has taken place in his char
acter since knew him, and when he had
such an evil reputation for meanncss,'
'Meanness' y exclaimed my friend, in sur.
prise he is about the very last person I
should suspect Of that. Mr.. Westerron
mean y
Mean and misery; We always thought
him so in our contingencies; and wo had
daily opportunities Of observing his conduct.
TO bo sure, wo might be mistaken we must
have been il ho is now what you represent
him to bo; but I cannot exactly understand
lit!
Il cannot understand IL either, said my
friend, and yet ho added, after q slight
pause, perhaps I can partly explain It. But
in what way did you come toi. form such on
opinion Of Mr.. Westerton"
Il hesitated at frs. to answer my friends
Iqucstion but he urged il. Il would not ask
you,' he said, i'll had not q good motive,
and hope Of removing ian injurious i'm.
preston from your mind So I told him
about tho close and shabby habits for which
he was noted, and the care he took Of every
penny, though we knew ho had largo sal
ary.
'And you never heard, then,' my friend
continued, speaking quietly, that he might
have some particular reason for such rigid
ecOnomy' 1t appears that Jou did not know
him SO very intimately after ALL
20, il there had been any good reason.
We should have known 1t, suppose at any
rate, it would have been easy for him to
have explained, which he never did. But
the thing explained itself when ho left the
counting. house to join his present partners.
or course he had to pay for that
'O!' said my friend.
'And besides, I added, 'there was the
young person he kept so many years wait
Ing till he could afford to marry. am glad
they are happy now; but do not think it
right to keep an engagement Of that sort
dragging on year after year, especially IL
what we heard were true, that the wedding
day had been fixed very soon after their en-
gagement commenced, and that Westerton
drew back from it, and put of the time in
definitely
That was true, said my friend, still
quietly, the day was f1cd and then post.
poned for several years. Well is that oil >
Quite enough l think, to give US a mean
opinion of him. l replied, 'but l judge
from your manner, that you think different
ly.'
The story is we'll known now my friend
responded - do not break confidence in
telling 1t. Perhaps when you have heard
what have to say you will SEQ that your
Judgment was hasty and unkind. Let me
tell you first, to the firm that he joined he
did not bringa penny Of capital; and for
very good rcason-he had not penny
But here is my story;
Mr.. Westerton entered into life with
very good prospects. His father was bank.
er in large town in one Of the western
counties, and reputedly rich. He had q
large family and Henry was his eldest
son. t..r... -...
BY ono Of those sudden and uncxpec ted
rcverscs which sometimes in the course Of
Providence fall on commercial circles, the
banker was utterly ruined. There Is no
need to en,er into the particulars Of that
event. only that its effects on his mind were