Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-10-27
Taking Care Of Number One.

exhibition of selfishness was likely to effect
him in the estimation of certain parties with
whom he wished to stand particularly fair
In all his dealings this maxim was alone re-
garded; and he was never satisfied unless, in
bargaining, he secured the greater advantage,
a thing that pretty generally occurred
There resided in the same town with Thigh
mana western town-a certain young lady,
whose father owned large amount of prop
erty She was his only child, and would fall
heir 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 agreoa-
ble Among these was Lawrence Tilgh-
man.
Larry, " said friend to him one day
they had been talking about the lady" it's
no use for you to play the agreeable to Helen
| Walcotn
And why not, pray?" returned Tilghman
"They say she's engaged"
"To whom?n
To young man in Columbus, Ohio
Who says sol"
engagement, if there's any virtue in trying"
| y 1Ou WIFI
Certainly. Helen will be worth plum
when her father dies, and I've made up my
mind to handle some of his thousands"
But, certainly, Larry, you would not
attempt TO interfere with the marriage con-
tractY"
Il don't believe any contract exists re-
piled the young man. "Anyhow, while a
lady is single l regard her as in the market
and to be won by the boldest'
"Still, we should have some respect for the
rights of Others"
Every one for himself in this world" re-
piled Tilghman. "That is my motto If
YOU don't take care of yourself you'll be
showed to the wall in double quick time
Long ago resolved to put some forty or
fifty thousand dollars between myself and The
world by marriage, and you may be sure that
| will not let this opportunity slip for any
consideration. Helen must be mine"
Additional evidence of the fact that the
young lady was under engagement of mar
riage soon came to the ears of Tilghman.--
The effect was to produce a closer attention
on his part to Helen, who, greatly to his un-
easiness, did not seem to give him much en-
him with politeness 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 named Walker, and that their ac-
quaintance was intimate and fast approach
ing lover like character.
Still she was not Indifferent to the former,
and as he showed so strong preference for
her, began, gradually, to feel an awakening
interest. Tilghman was quick to perceive
this, and it greatly elated him. In the exul-
tation of his feelings he said to himself:
'Il show this Columbus man that I'm
worth dozen Of him. The boldest wins the
fair. wouldn't give much for bis engage
ment"
Tilghman was merchant, and visited the
East twice every year for the purpose of buy
ing goods. In August he crossed the noun
tans as usual Some men when they leave
home and go among strangers, leave all the
good breeding they may happen to have had
behind them Such a man was !Tilghman.--
The moment he stepped into steamboat,
stage or railroad car, the y-one-for-him-
self principle by which he was governed man
ifested itself in all its naked deformity, and it
was at once concluded by all with whom he
came in contact, that, let him be whom he
would, he was no gentleman.
On going up the river, on the occasion re-
ferred TO, our gentleman went on the free
and-easy principle, as was usual with him
when in public conveyances; consulting his
own inclinations and tastes alone, and running
his elbows into any and everybody's ribs that
happened to be in his way He was general
ly first at the table when the bell rang, and
as he had good appetite, managed while
there to secure full share of the delicacies
provided for the compatiy.
Every Que for himsylf," was the thought
in his mind on these occasions, and bis actions
fully agreed with his thoughts.
On crossing the mountains in stages this
was before the railroad from Baltimore to
Washington was completely as far as Cum
berland, his greedy, selfish, and sometimes
downright boorish propensities, annoyed his
fellow passengers and particularly young
man of quiet, refined and gentlemanly deport-
ment, who could not at times help showing
the disgust he felt. Because he paid his half
dollar fer meals at the taverns Oh the way,
Tilghman seemed to feel himself licensed to
gormandize at beastly rate The moment
he sat down to the table he would seize eager
ly upon the most desirable dish near him. and
appropriate at least a half, if not two-thirds,
of what it contained regardless utterly of his
fellow passengers; then he would call the next
most desirable dish if he could not reach ii,
and help himself after a most liberal fashion
In eating he seemed more like hungry dog,
in his eagerness than man possessing a
grain of deceney When the time came to