The American patriot., 1855-11-24
Taking Care Of Number One.

his dealings, this maxim was alone regarded
and ne was never satisfied unless, in bargain
ing, he secured the greater advantage. thing
that pretty generally occurred.
There resided in the same town with Tilgh-
man--a western town-a certain young lady,
whose father owned large amount Of proper.
ty. She was his only child, and would fall
heir, at his death, to all his wealth. Of course
this young lady had attractions that were felt
to be Of a most weighty character by certain
young men in the town, who made themselves
as agreeable to her as possible. Among these
was Lawrence Tilghman.
LARRY" said friend to him one day-they
had been talking about the young lady-"It's
no use for you to play the agreeable to Helen
Walcot."
"And why not, pray?" returned Tilghman
"They say she's engaged"
"To Whom?"
"To young man in Columbus"
"Who Says soy"
81 can't mention my authority, but it is
good"
Engaged, ha! Well I'll break that en-.
gagement, if there's any virtue in trying"
"You wil!"
Certainly, will Helen will be worth a
plum when the old man, her father, dies, and
I've made up my mind to handle some Of his
thousands"
"But certainly, Larry, you would not at
tempt to interfere with marriage contract?"
III don't believe any contract exists" replied
the young man. "Anyhow, while a lady is
single regard her as in the market, and to be
won by the boldest"
''StilL we should have some respect for the
rights of fothcrs"
"Eyery one for himself in this world" re-
piled Tighman. "That's my motto. If you
don't take care of yourself you'll be showed to
the wall in double quick time. Long ego, |
resolved to put some forty or fifty thousand
dollars between myself and the world by mar
riage, and you may be sure will not let this
oppo' tunity slip for any consideration Helen
must be mine"
Additional evidence of the fact that the
young lady was under engagement Of marriage
soon came to the ears of 1ighpan. The effect
was to produce a closer attention on his part
to Helen who, greatly to his uneasincsS did
not seem to give him much encouragement,
although, she always treated him with polite
ness and attention whenever he called to see
her. But it was not true as Tilghman had
heard, that Helen was engaged to young
man in Columbus; though it was true that
she was in correspondence with gentleman
there named Walker, and that their acquain-
tancc was intimate, and fast approaching a
lovc.kc character.
Still, she was not Indifferent to the former,
and as he showed SO strong preference for
her, began, gradually, to feel an awakening in
tercst. Tilghman was quick to peeccive this,
and it greatly clated him. In the exultation
of his feelings, he said to himself
"Ill show this Columbus man that I'm
worth dozen of him. The boldest wins the
fair. l wouldn't give much for his engage
mcnt"
Tiighman was a merchant and visited the
east twice every year for the purpose of buy
ing goods. Last August he crossed the noun
tains as usual, some men, when they leave
home and 60 amcng strangers, leave all the lit
tie good breeding they may happen to have
had behind them. Such a man was 1ilghman.
The moment he stepped into steamboat,
stage or railroad car, the eyery-one-for-him-
self principle by which he was governed man
ifested itself in all its naked dcformity, and it
was at once concluded by all with whom he
came in contact that let him be who he would
he was no gentleman.
On going up the river, OH the OCCASION re-
farrcd to, our gentleman went on the free and
easy principle, as was usual with him when in
public canveyances; consulting his own incii-
nations and tastes alone, and running his el-
bows into any and every body's ribs that hap
pened to come in his way. He was generally
first at the table when the bell rang; and as
he had good appetite, managed, while there,
to secure full share of the delicaces provided
for the company.
Every one for himself" was the thought
in his mind on these occasions; and his ac-
tions fully agreed with his thoughts
~ Al