Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-05-31
LITTLE FLOY;
Or, how a Miser was Reclaimed.


Ofall the houses which Martin Kendrick
owned, he used the oldest and meanest for
his own habitation. 1t was an old tumble
down building on a narrow street, which had
already lived out more than its appointed term
of service, and was no longer fit to 'cumber
the ground But the owner still clung to it,
the more, perhaps, because as it stood there
In its desolation. unsightly and weather beat
en-, it was no unfit emblem OF himself.
Martin, the miserl Years of voluntary
privation such as in most cases follow only
in the train Of the EXTREMIST penury, had given
him claim 10 that appellation. 1t might be
somewhat inconsistent with his natural char
acter, that, with the exception OF the one room
which he occupied, the remainder of the large
house was left tenantless. After all it was
not so difficult 10 account for. He could not
bear the idea OF having immediate neighbors.
Who knows but they might seize the oppor-
tunity afforded by his absence, and rob him of
the gains OF many years, which, distressing
banks and other places of deposit, he kept in
strong box under his own immediate charge.
Martin had not always been miser. No
one ever becomes so at once, though doubtless
the propensity to it is stronger in some than
sn others. Years ago-so many that at this
time the recollection only came to him dimly,
like the faint sound of an almost forgotten
tune-years ago when the blood Of youth
poured its impetuous current through his veins,
he married fair girl whose life he had short
ened by his dissipated habits, and the indiffer-
ence and even cruelty to which they led.
The day of his wife's death the last rem
nant of the property which he inherited from
his father, escaped from his grasp. These
Two events, either of which brought its own
sorrow, completely sobered him. The abject
condition 10 which he had reduced bimself
was brought wildly to his mind, and he formed
a sudden resolution, rushing, as will some
times happen, from enc extreme to the other,
that as prcdigal as his past life had been, that
which succeeded should be sparing and penu-
Fious in the same degree until, at least he
mad recovered his losses, and so far as fortune
went was restored to the same position which
he had occupied at the commencement of his
career.
But 1t IS not for man 10 say, Thus far shalt
shou go and ne farther,'- give himself up
body and soul to one engrossing pursuit, and
at the end of limited time wean himself from
1t.
Habit grows by what it feeds on. 1t was
not long before the passion Of acquisition ac-
quired controlling influence over the mind
of Martin Kendrick He reached the point
which he had prescribed. for himself, but it
stayed him not. Every day his privations,
self imposed though they were, became more
pinching, his craving for gold more insatia-
bic. Long ago he had cut himself off from
all friendship-all the pleasures and ameni-
ties of social Intercourse. He made 10 visits
save to his tenants, and those only on quarter
day. Nor were these visits Of an agreeable
character TO those favored with them, for Mar
tin was not a merciful landlord. He invaria-
bly, depanded the uttermost farthing that was
his due, and neither sickness nor lack of en-
ployment had the power for moment to soft
en- his heart or delay the execution of his pur-
pose. His mind was drawn into ITSELF and
like an uncultivated field, was left-to all the
barrenness of desolation. Such is always the
case when the man by his own act shuts hin-
self out from his kind, foregoes their sympa-
thy and kind offices, and virtually says, Il am
sufficient unto myself
Martin had one child, girl named Flor
ence. At the time pf the death of her mother,
she was but six years of age. He had loved
her, perhaps, as much as it was in his power
to love any one, and as long as she remained
with him he did not withdraw himself so en-
tirely from human companionship. But at
the age of seventeen years she became ac-
quainted with young mana mecbanlc-in
whose favor her affections were enlisted.@
He proposed for her hand, but her father, in
whom love of gold was strong, on account of
his poverty, drove him with scorn from his
door.
The young man was not to be banked thus.
He contriyed 10 meet Florence secretly, and
after while persuaded her to forsake her
home and unite her fortunes with his-with
the less difficulty, since that home offered but
few attractions 10 one of her age. Her fathers
indignation was extreme. All advances to-
wards reconciliation on the part of the newly
welded pair were received with the bitterness
of scorn, which ef1ectually prevented their
repetition From that time Martin kendrick
settled down into the cold, apathetic and soli-
tary existence which has been described
above Gradually the love of gain blotted on.
from his memory the remembrance of his
children whom he never met. They had re-
moved from the city, though he knew il not.
and the total want of interest which he dis
played respecting them, discouraged any idea
they might have entertained of informing him.
It's a cold night quoth Martin to himself
as he sat before the least glimmering which
could be decently called fire in the apart
ment which he occupied. He east wistful
glance towards pile of wood which lay be-
side the crate. He lifted one and poised il
for moment and glancing meanwhile at the