The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-10-25
M(istellaneous.
HOW MADE FORTUNE.

iNauOi OAl NNS' ""y '"'"6 oSuSetohai, ho h"u
better look elsewhere.
My name is Pcpperidgc Iovatt.
Twas called Pepperidge after my mothers
father, wealthy pork-picker, from whom
the family had great expectations, my moth
er being his only daughter and her only
son. The expectations were doomed to dis
appointment, for grandfather Peppcridgc in.
vested his fortune in copper mine, some
where in Pennsylvania, and in sinking q
shaft sunk his money. My father Roger Lo-
watt, was bill-brokcr, irreverently termed
by the vulgar note-Shayer. Personally he
was known as Centpercent and Alllorcollat
names that had reference to the liberal and
generous manner in which he transacted his
business. never inquired into their origin.
It was no matter to me. Ialways called him
"the old man."
never went to school with the common
herd Being born to a fortune it would not
do. 1t was not the thing, you know. "A
private tutor prepared me for college, and to
college went in due time. forget now
nearly all was taught there. / was put
through Latin, philosophy, and things-yes!
and Greek, with all kinds Of crabbed.looking
etters, and mat hematics. went through
tho last after fashion. Arithmetic and Al
zebra were my specialties, but in Geometry
| was brought up by the Pons Asinorum.---
However, l graduated with great honor
The valedictory, which fell to my lot to dc.
liver, was very much applauded, though my
father did think that $50 was too much to
pay the half.starved fellow who wrote it,
That was little trick of mine though, for
hivcd forty out of the money, am now sorry
to say.
After I graduated, had no difficulty in
choosing profession. My friends, taking
the beautiful language of my valedictory in.
to consideration, suggested the law as the
sphere in which my talents would have the
best chance Of devclopement. As it was
matter of Indifference to me. ! accepted the
choice. read law after the usual fashion; ;
that is to say got by heart certain passages
in Blackstone and Starkie and Chitty, 80 as
to be able to answer probable questions, and
in due time was called TO the bar. forth
with hired me handsome Office, put ona tin
sign with the words-..Peppcridge Lovatt,
Counselor ut law" and diligently smoked
cigar in my nicely furnished rooms for ono
hour day. Having thus attended to bus
iness. put up a little notice on the door
ear CouRr. CALL TOMORROW AT TEN o. CLOCK"
and sauntercd up Broadway. AT night ]
went to the opera, or loungcd at the club, or
led the German at parties, and led 1t wcll.-
| despise boasting of my own talents; but ]
NAV properly say that ] was the best dancer
in our set. There was not member OF the
bar that codld equal me. Even Grind, ol
the firm OF Grind and Cheathamwell, they
said he was at the head OF the profession, but
I saw him try to polk once at Saratoga and
| was quite sure that Grind's abilities had
been ovcrrated by his friends.
I had practiced law vigorously, after the
fashion have described, for about two years
and half, when three very important things
occurred. I was sauntering along Broadway
one day, and amidst the press of pnssers, my
coat button got entangled in the fringe OF u
lady's mantle. 1t was very awkward stu.
alton for both Of us. Itugged at the fringe.
my face burning all the while, and the lady
seeming to be vexed. 1t came loose at length
and the owner of the mantle turned away
with swing Of her body indicating annoy
ance, when, swish! the fringe caught anotl,.
or button. This time laughed. and the Ia
dy Uttered. The fringe was discngagcd and
I raised my hat to bow my regret. thus get
ting a full view of the fair stranger g face;--
II was certainly pretty but had seen pretty
faces before, without feeling any humping
beneath my waistcoat. With this. however.
I was fascinated. There are some figures and
faces that attr,ct you by their home look
They seem to tell of domestic enjoyment ;
they suggest quiet cup Of tea, hot toast,
and your slippcred feet buried in the hearth
rug. But itcame and went. The lady went
one way and the other. | saw her no more
but thought Of her frequently.
The other incidents were serious. One
was the death Of my father. who had been a
widower for twelve years; the other was the
failure of Ballwinkie, Badger and Bullwlnklc'
The events were disastrous, especially the
Bullwinklc business. For my respected IA.
rent had not only embarked hundred thous
in the same speculation which aoorcd the )
BE-, but his name was on the paper OF the
firm for nearly as much more; and the as'
sets Of the bankrupts, after the legal eIpen'
ses were paid, amounted to just no cents on
, the dollar.
Thus was left, without father to sup
port me, no rich uncle to apply to, altogether
a pennilcss fellow, knowing little OF my
: profession. and no chance for clients had
even been profound lawyer. What to dc
could not tell, though I smoked over the
matter diligently for three days. At last
concluded to let matters 60 as they would
for supposed something would turn up
some day or other. But nothing did. Day
weeks, aud months passed away. I had tc
give up my Office, for I got no practice, and
could not pay my rent; my watch, my SPAR
, clothes. and all could well pawn, followet
each other to the house Of liberal Hebrew
gentleman on the east aide of the town: ant