The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-05-23
APetrOleum Spree.

10000 -
g APetrOleum Spree.
The following circumstance, related
to us by friend, shows that the sud-
den acquisition of riches by lucky hits
in the Oil Dorado, does not always con-
verts the possessor into a gasping cur
mudgeon indeed, the hardening pro-
cess is'the work oftime, and we are in
cined to be rather more lenient to
those who have suddenly become veal
thy by these means, and are liberal
enough to enjoy their wealthby spend
ing some of their own money, even
though 1t might be for dimonds, hors-
es, garages, and fine clothes. They
might, be sure, hoard up their wealth,
pinch their stomach on poor fare, and
afford to wear shabby garments, leav-
ing after their death large fortune
for expectant heirs to fight over, or in
donations to rich institutions, who do
not need them, while man'ss last van
ity, an epitaph, sets forth on a costly
monument, virtues which they never
possessed.
We do not mean to be understood
as advocating senseless and wasteful
extravaganza, but when some persons
who have been compelled to practice
rigid economy to live, suddenly come
into possession of wealth, it is natural
to suppose that they will taste of those
hitherto forbidden luxuries which they
cave often longed for but never enjoy
ed, and that toe in dispite of the many
REGULATORS ofsociety," who are always
so ready to prescribe what shall be the
proper method of dispensing such sud-
den acquisition-according to their
Idea.
One of the lucky ones in New York,
the other day, who was parting with his
friend on Broadway, as he shook him
by the hand, insisted on his company
to dinner at the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
at halfpast five.
Cant PROMISE" said Petroleum,
"l'm bound to have a spree to-day, for
| must return to Oil City tomorrow"
"Well, so be it," SAID his friend, sad
ly; shut don't spend all your money"
"Spend all my money! ha, ha, ha, }"
laughed the young oil prince. "Why,
Charley, l made sixty thousand cash
on the last tract, and | have ouly got
five hundred dollars in my pocket
Spend all my money!" and the specu-
lator laughed again, and as his friend
shook his hand leaped into an omnibus
that was passing up Broadway, and
rode off. .na
What was his intentions then with
regard to "a spree" is unknown, but in
the rapid locomotion and expert dodg-
ing that is required of pedestrian in
crossing from Barclay street to the
Park, he came in sudden confusion
with a raggade and confused urchin,
coming from the opposite direction, the
result of which was to throw the latter
violently into the mud, and almost be-
meath the very wheels of passing car
riage, ~ fr.n,
Petroleum dragged the young rag
amuflin from beneath the hor ses' feet,
and placing him upon the sidewalk.
'My money, oh my money!" bel
lowed the little fellow, piteously, as he
wiped the smooches of mud from his
face. ~ i
"Never mind your money, here's
more" said the oil man, but before he
could suit the action to the word, the
youngster had dashed out to the pave
ment and secured fifteen cents in cur
reney that he had dropped, and return,
ed to the sidewalk, a smile of triumph
on his tear stained little face. h
sPve got my money" said he, look
ing up to the oil man and holding up
the mud stained paper,
His money! The oil prince looked
down on the shivering little figure be-
fore him---a little boy scarce six y ears
old, in tattered dress that would have
been hardly sufficient for May, that i'll
protected him from the chilly aireof
February. No over garment, a small
faded cotton shawl, tied about the neck,
was the only apparent effort that had
been made for extra clothing, no stock
ings one little shoe, which had come of
in the fall, was gasped in one hand, and
the little bare foot, red with chilblaips,
rested on the damp pavement.
His money! As the speculator look
ed down at the shivering little wretch,
q sudden thought seemed to strike him.
!iCome," said he, I'll buy you new
pair of shoes" The little.fellow's black
Dyes sparkled as carriage was taken
into it by his new found friend.
n"Hello, there" said the driver, as the
muddy urchin climbed upon one of the
handsomely lined seats, 81 can't stand
that, yer know" rean 3. a y hi
gwCan you stand this" I" said Petro-
leum, handing ten dollar greenback
to the indignant whip. lrIl 1o
"Just as ofton as you like" was the
reply "Where viii you be driv', sir ~
"Well i rather guess a bath-house is
the best place." replied the other, hall
musing. EfI,far f.r
Before he had time hardly to think
oft the carriage was rafting up Broad.
way, and finally stopped opposite GER
tain doors labelled sBains-Banos7-
Baths" Here tho youngster was plac.
ed in charge of one of the assistants,
for wash, who soon returned with
him, saying to his patron, 'Why, the
boys clean enough, sir; it's his clothes
that's dirty."asd sed la'. 40 \.
liirSo it is. Any boys clothing store
round here ~ Il II I'm 30. y.itL
5fI'fYes, SIR" said the bath keeper,
pocketjng a five dollar greenback, and
forgetting to give any change, '.just