The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-15
A Millionaire's Musings.

| Hem I've grown little hard OF hearing
of late, but caught that just rs the two
men turned round the corner. "There goes
old Morgan, the Millionaire, rich as CrGsus
and hard ~ iron; wonder what good the
money he grips 80 tight will do him score
of years hence?'
"And 30 that's what men say Of me, Is II?
Morgan, the old Millionaire And I've
spent my own life-all the hopes Of my
youth, the strength of my manhood, and
years of my old agc-for this
It's fact, I'm u millionaire this day
John Morgan, your hairs are gray, and your
face is scanned with wrinkles, and your life
has slipped over its seyentieth birthday. and
in houses and lands, In hank stock and rail.
road shares, in coal mines and heavy cargoes
You can count down this day your hard mil.
lion of dollars.
IL sounds strange enough as ] repeat the
words over, and 90 back to the time when
worked on Squire Niason's farm for six dol.
lars month and my board. said Id be
rich man then, some day, and bent myself
to the task, soul and body, night and day
II was hard struggle, but ! was sharp,
and watched my chance, and luck favored
me. don't like to think Of all the strings
pulled to get money, for IL a mans bent on
making it he must not be squeamish; and
though was sometimes little hard, and
shaved here and tock advantage there. still
I wasn't worse than other men, and | Was
always certain to keep inside the law.
And now men will bow and cringe to me
and almost get down upon their knees to get
my name TO their paper. and say hard things
behind my back, and when die don'tsup.
pose theresa living soul that would shed
an honest tear over me, though ! shall be
certain to lie under the shadow OF great
marble monument.
Somehow, sitting here in my office this
morning. and looking over my life. IL does %,
seem as il the million Of dollars had PAID
after nil but when the greed and Thirst Tor
rnin get possession Of man, everything
else must go--fear OF God and love Of man
his life and soul must be given up to business:
| am an old man and u millionaire, and L
shall be dropping into my grave In little
while, and I've got precious little capital
to take into another world, for fancy Rich
Man don't read there ls it does here.
1 don't Ike to think Of my home. my
children! Poor Mary she was sweet.
simple hearted girl when took her in her
fair Young girihood, to walk with me all
the days of my life. promised TO love. and
cherish, and protect her, but ! buried my
self up in business, and seldom had loving
word or smile for the home to which l
went every night cold, silent and crusty!
can't blame her IL she turned ut last to
tho world and sought rest for her aching
heart in dress, and show, and splendor. and
became ut last vain, heartless, fashionable
woman.
What palace home we h d My money
filed II with luxury, but the gold didn't
bring happiness and ] don't like to think
of that last hour Of my wiies when she WOKE
out of her long fever. and gasPed out, John
I'm an old woman, and I'm going To leave
Won. and nv life's been terrible mistake
| I see Il all, now-a terrible mistake.
I don't like to think OF my children, ei-
,ber. There are my boys, misenble, dist
rated notwithstanding on the years
beforc the old man will be gone, 20 they can
make his money Hy. There are my dAugh-
ter, married fops, and fortune hunter,
proud. snowy, silly women. their whole lie
Consisting in dress and parties, and splendid
follies. :,
And this Il 10 be nm old man and mil.
I;onaire! I wonder IL IL pays! / wonder,
n could 20 back to the years Of my youth
again, II would give all my life to heaping
up the gold that has only wrought an old
age Of bitter memories for me, . death OF
anguish for my wife, and ruin for the child
rem God gave us.