Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-09-24
8eautitnl stot:g.
TTSfm fmHt5dt77sHm Ht5dt77sHm5

Peter Benson was the son OF NlScf, WIN
died in the possession of immense wealth anla-.
sed by life of toll and privasion. His son was
endowed by nature with great energies and Il
firmuess OF purpose which Showed Itself whis
yet child for he became the terror OF Ills play
mates, and the tyranny Of all about him. ;
education was neglected; for his father wL-'u
have shuddered TO spend money OH it. His eX
ample pointed out to his son, that to get riches
was the sole aim of life his precept was, 1"
guard them at the risk Of ali but life; and To
habituate his heir early to follow his example.
he forced him to earn even the pltallce of h:>
pocket.moncy. Peter was an apt scholar: al
IN early age he had actually put his savings ouI
at interest: and his father was so delighted nj
this trait, that he doubled the amount to con-
firm him in the habit. That same night the mi
ser died Was it this solitary instance of lib
erty that did violence TO lis nature, and de-
stroyed him!
During severe illness, some years before, old
Benson had been advised TO maie his will and
he had even consented to send for Il lawyer, who,
having gone through the usual preamble, waited
for the clients instructions; bat, after along
pause ventured to ask the sick man TO whom ne
wished to bequea,h his property. The sufferer
started up wildly in his bed, eSclaming-
WISH w Uequetlu - "lSii w oelucdlh uI
property ?-never, man, never! What give my
lifes blood, my souls recompense and, added
he, Gas if struck by lhe danger of having admit
ted to stranger his possession OF wealth.
what have L. n Woodworking man, to bequeath g
And so he died without will, and Peter Ben
son found himself hcis; and, as he thought
without any one to interfere with his admins.
tration of this weallh-But he was one MORN
cprpri.oA h,,t t,a of oft hi.
mother, whom he had been led to suppose died
during his infancy, and of whom his father had
never made mention. Interest being the reign
ing Of this youths heart, it was upon that he re-
fected ere lie allowed himself to grieve or re-
joice at this unexpected news. His mothers
existence might be of incalculable value to him;
for, aS minor, he could not take out letters of
administration, ard he dreaded having q guardian
appointed by the law. His mothers being alive.
he understood, might render such step uuue-
ces,ary. But then, it was said, she would have
q right to 4 share in his property. o. this fact
he hoped 10 keep her Ignorant; bu! lis he could
not deceive her rs to the amount of wealth,
would she not expect 10 be INDUCED in IN ey.
penditure suitable 10 it? And he groaned as he
thought how this would diminish The profits OF
the concern. His father had vegeiatcd (and
even that sparingy) he had never dared to live
Peter was pnZ..ed how he should reply TO lis
mothers letter without committing himself OF
his property. AT length, he thought il would
be best to 90 to her, if she catne to town, he
NIGH, be expected TO fetch hcr-so The expense
must be incurred and by getting it over at once
he would be able to Judge better OF her di>po-
siiou and capabilities to render her an eligitlt
guardian, rs far as the name went, of his inter
ests during his minori,y-the rca control o.
them he intended should remain in his own hand,
and he felt the coach fare almost an excnsable
expense, as lie reflected on The advantages Il
which lis journey might lead. His mother was
a poor sickIy- looking woman, whose spirit hat
been so crushed by oppression and tyranny lhi
she hardly dared speak to her own child Iii
pers onul resemblance 10 his father made he
tremble; and il was not long before she per
ceiyed the resemblance was not merely personal
He uttered no grief for his loss, nor joy for hi
new-found, parent-money. gain, saving, wer
all he could talk upon; and when, on biddin!
bel, good night, he said
Mother, ! shall never die happy unless | be
come twice as rich as my father" she felt tina
the life of toll and mortifcalion she had endured
with The father was about tn recnmnience unde
the yoke of her off pring; and for six year
netkiy bore With all The privaiiuns her child
parsimony forced on her. During these year
he had never once offered his mother pleasure
en- amusement, or single comfort, that couf