Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-19
Genteel Poverty

1t has been philosophicslly remarked that
one half the world do not know how the other
half live. This truth arises less from want of
curiosity on the one side than studied decep-
ton on the other. Poverty, for instance, is
neither legally nor morally a crime, and yet,
aside from its convenience, there is a dis
credit, IN every sense Of the word, attached
To 1t, which renders its possessor very Jealous
of Its discovery. In worldly judgments we
too often fnd that the sin is in'the detection,
not the commission of the ofense A man
may live in garret, and dine on stale bread
and mouldy cheese, and yet, with the exact
mails Of independence, his company will be often
solicieed at the social meal or festive board.
But let his dOmicil and his means be detec ted
let his coat lose its freshness his hat its smooth
ness, and his boots their polish, and the felon's
brand would not more certainly excommunicate
him than the poor mans garb. Men often
prefer the suspicion Of crime to the suspicion
of penury.
Poverty and beggary are very distant rela-
tions. The beggsr never knows poverty, he
only feels want. To him the mere daily neces-
sites Of life are sufficient. He begs without
disguise, owns to the world his destitution, eats
the rich mans crumbs, and snores upon the
fint. How different is the condition of the
other. In him, the gnawings Of hunger reflect
the blandest Of smiles, he talks Of dinners he
never saw, and fancies suppers that he never
knew. He believes himself suspected Of mevn-
ness, because he declines some picnic or other
pleasure darty, where the expenses are so much
per head. He never ventures on a river excur-
sion without first secretly searching his pockets
aud dedncting the cost FROM the sum total. If,
under q sudden windfall, he asks a companion
to take an oyster, he trembles lest his whole
fortune may with the oyster, disappear down
the throat Of his quondam friend. Thus the
poor bachelor lives, spending one half his time
in some mysteries occupation, whereby he re-
ceives the means Of keeping up appearances
the other half. He dies, and is forgotten by
all, save perhaps some intimate friend, who
wonders be is not appointed executor.
But it Is the married man, the MN of family
who most deeply feels the miseries of gentesl
poverty. His personal sufferings are merged
In the the thoughts of home. He would gladly
throw of rhe disguise-gladly resign his fash
ionable acquaintances, and seek his happiness
uhen the days labors are over, in the bosom
of his family. But the inexorable world decides
otherwise. He can never escape the grindstone
to which he is tied. Country cousins must be
entertained, family reunions given, summer
iaunts undertaken. He knows full well that as
the handspring Of the whole machinery, if he
once give out, discord snd destruction are the
inevitable result, and he works on, hopeless
and desperate. Finally, the anticipated crash
comes lie leses pothing-he had nothing to
lose But now he may gain all for which he 30
long sighed. The play is over, the lights are
out, and the CANDY trappings Of assumed wealth
may be replaced by honest homespun. But II
IL TOO lsts-the intoxicating bowl Of worldly
vanity has become too necessary to the de-
have been, bat not now. Again he starts upon
the fatal race, again he for q moment hovers
above the horizon, and then forever disappears
ff~m sight, and 1t is heavens mercy II his
memory is untAinted with guilt-Phiiadsi.
r,Lta I.~QniTsr.