The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-11-30
for tie Don,lel Girfle.
HUMAN NATURE e.:
The Bankrupt Merchant.
BY @. N KENDALL

b.
BY @. n KENDALL gssE zsa
q RAYMOND Wellford was considered, though
young man, one of The most fourishing
merchants he was welcomed guest in our
so-culled highest circle of fashion, while many
@ calculating mamma considered him q very
desirable sou--iu-Iaw in perspeclire. Sud-
denly he was overwhelmed with pecuniary
losses aud embarrassments while the news
spread as far as gossip tongues couid report
it. Strange. to say. although his elegant man
sion had to be sacrificed. there was not a
debt that remained unpaid, while some money
was yet left with him. Wise men in the re.
viewaI of bis conduct, were heard to say that
he was exceedingly honest or On immoderate
fool. .Ta1aAF a3fTio s6Y s
What think yoa of human nature, my
friend 7 said he to me- iels7 z.'e s5zs ar
as .It ia philosophical enigma, I replied.
yaa. So it was with me till l solved it, said he.
II found it q strange companion; the larger
portion Of which was selfshness.. For in-
stance, when che gliding of wealth covered my
pame,i 4 was sought after by the very men who
now torn their backs on me. i was aattered
by women. who, If my name was now men,
TONED in their presence. would affect forget
fulness Of ever having heard it. After dinner
we will make some calls during which yon
will perceive some ample illustrations Of what
] have said re- e s,
Accordingly, after dinner we set out.
We first entered the counting of q
merchant, to whom he introduced me as a
friend. soon learned that my friend was moi
held in the highest estimation. from the cold
! formality with which he was received. We did
not even have the courtesy OF chairs offered us
With meaning smile. Raymond bid the
merchants good afternoon, and we found our
selves again in the street. e5ss,
This Is illustration No. 1, said he with a
smile. - al, ,-es 5 Is ss1
lis it possible that you could ever have been
intimately acquainted with this man. asked
nj, That man has been reducad to the extrem
ity of begging his dinners. Time after time
have thus accommodated him. Ieveng loaned
him money to commence business. and nov
you see how graciously he has received M
], and my friend -. -, ~ ,.,..,s,..,.s-,e
We next passed to the door of an elegan
mansions wherein Ray moDd had been fire
quent and honored guest. 1t was The resi-
deDce Of professional.geutlemen Of large fol
tune. who still did Ray mood the jnstice to re
gard him on all occ sions as his friend, and L
. treat him as such.a His lady had even pre-
fessed friendship for him greater than be
husband eff not for her own. at least for be
daughter sake, TO whom rnmur once report
81 ed be was engaged. Since Raymond's mi
1a x fortune was whispered to her, she no longt
= spoke Of hum as a dear friend, but endeavore
to persuade her husband to rid the house {
him. which provoked the calm reply:
-e,-,o He is gentleman. and as such it lis m
" will that you should entertain him whenev'
=, he may honor your honse with his presence.
3 On this account, ! suppose. We were tole
a,ed 10 the present instance, tor the gentlemi
was not az home.a The lady treated MS rath
cooliy. which was prepared to see Aft
1--we were seated Raymond inquired for Mi
Richards. her daughter, to which the lady !
., piled with an apparent shrng OF the shoulde
that she wsss well, but at present engsged.
e No mamma, am not said the beauti
ogiri. as she lightly entered the room. Il q
happy to meet an old friend. who, am su
is none the less welcome for having been Z
fortunate s
The lovers-for they really were-had I
met since Raymond's misfortune, and tn
meeting was now so heartfelt. that leo,
81 not for moment doubt the affection of eli
n er. j saw also the cloud that rested upon
brow of Mrs. Richards, nor was surpris
to hear her say
81 IlgtMy daughter is SO pleasantly engag
gentlemen. that trust my presence is
longer required ! and without ceremony,
left the room. ss4d9 re -{e
sClara,' said Raymond, taking her wi
hand, are all my fondest hopes to be realiz
Can the daughter Of a wealthy man cor
s5a scend to acknowledge her affection for p,
bankrupt merchant eg'75
The fair girl blushed, and looked doubtf
DO not fear to speak in, his presence
he. fer next to Jou he is probably my
friend, s5i5.r sa
- Then listen,' she said, smiling sweetlJ
"A few weeks since, with the consent of
parents, solemnly plighted my love to
who has long possessed my hearts best a
tion. l did not ask the weight OF. his mo
bags, nor The weight Of his Golfers for 8
. matters did not form one item of considera
with me. / found him gentleman an,
tao such gave him my hand. Until I am
vinced to the contrary. why should desil
retract my words 2 -
CLARA, you are an angel said Rayron
be covered her hands with kisses, and