The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-27
Select MisteIIang
"RIcHER OR POORER -
BY4T. S. ARTHUR.

1t was the last day and last evening of the
week and of the year; and Mr.. Stephens sat
alone reviewing the incidents of his life during
the twelve now just completed.
-''I think" he said within himself, ''that
have cause of selfcongratulation. Providence ce
has specially favored me. All my work has
prqspered."
Yet, even while he thus referred to prov
idential agency, the pride of human prudence
was swelling in his heart
"How many goodly vessel has shattered
to pieces on the seething breakers; yet my
staunch ship still rides the waves of safety"
Mr.. Stephens arose from his chair, as he
said this, and drawing his thumbs through the
arm holes of his waistcoat, threw his head back
and his chest forward, and commenced pacing
the floor of his elegant parlor with the air Of a
man who felt at peace with himself and all the
world. As he walked, he said, half aloud,
''ProvideDce has smiled over me, and am
thankful. God has crowned my seasons with
blessings. Tomorrow, on the first Sabbath of the
new year, l will give him thanks in the con-
gregation of his people for the Lord accep-
teth thankful heart. Mine shall abound in
gratitude"
And then Mr. Stephens, by a natural pro-
gression of thought, began making hurried es-
Inmates of his gains for the year. They were
large. AS he resumed his seat in the great
cushioned chair, he said, with futter of
pleased emotions
81 richer to-day, by many thousands,
than I was year ago"
"Richer-yes, richer" he murmured half
aloud, as if speaking to some one. Several
minutes had passed, and, with eyes partly closed,
he was sinking in the soft cushions of his chair
From waking consciousness to sleeping vision
there is, sometimes, scarcely moments inter-
IT 90 in this
s'Richer-richer," was still upon the mer-
chants lips, when the rustic of garments
reached his ears, and he saw by his side form
of angelic beauty.
"And yet" said a voice that went thrilling
to the very center of his life, ''you have lost
fearfully."
"Lostl lost Oh, no-I have lost nothing"
answered the merchant, quickly recovering
himself Every venture has proved successful" !"
"Let US see." And the strange visitor sat
down just in front of Mr. Stephens, and fixed
her calm, searching eyes upon his face. off
have estimated correctly, you are vastly poorer
now, than you were at the years beginning"
A low shudder of fear ran along the mer-
chants nerves. What could this mean He
thought of his solid real estate; his well secur-
ed stocks, his bonds, his ships, and his mer-
chandise.
81 am richer, not poorer" he answered with
regaining confidence.
You have lost integrity" said the visitor,
zone of the priceless jewel of mans life.
Il am an honest man." The merchanl
spoke with flush of indignation upon his
face.
"Honest before men-not before God. You
have forgotten that an All seeiEg eye was upon
you" s.i. - z-a i1 ~
s5ssW hat have done ? Bring my deeds to
the light I have wronged no man."
The merchants voice was confident.
sThe visitor handed him, in silence, a mar
row strip of paper, on which were some written
and printed words.
"What is this ?'' He read, and answered
his own queston-"Oh, tax bill. His tone
was Indifferent.
"Is it paid p
"Paid / have never seen it before"
"You believed yourself forgotten, in this
particular instance, by assessor and collector"
said the visitor, severely "and counted this
sum as so much in the years gain You know
that the debt existed; that you owed the
State just so much for the protection it gave to
your life and property-that so much was
due as an item of your contribution in support
of order, education and the helpless poor. But
this high obligation you have willingly set
aside, and indulged feeling of selfish pleas
ure at the trihing gain heleft in yo1r hands
gain less shan hundred perishable dollarsi"
cold chill of conviction struck to the heart
of Mr.. Stephens.
"But the loss is fearful to think Of" was
continued. "Loss of manly integrity and
heavenly virtue. No one could know this,
you said within your heart. Or, if it were
discovered that an assessment had been
omitted, or bill mislaid, it would be regarded
as an error, and your prompt settlement, on
presentation, would put you all right in the
worlds regard. All, sir,-in the trial of your
integrity, honor failed. In tho hour of temp