Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1865-05-03
sflisteliancous.
4 u M z ~ u A T u r Z,
Or The HankrGpt Merchant.
BY C. MINOT KENDALL.


Raymond Wexford was considered, al
though youns man, one ut our flourish
islIng merchants. He was i, welcome
guest Ill our so-caiied highest circles ut
! fashion, white many Calculating mann
ma Regarded him as u very desirable sulI-
| ln-iaw III prospective. Suddenly he WAS
overwhelmed ty pecuniary losses and CHI
barraseuent, although his elegant ,,is,Iislun
had 10 be sacrificed, line e WAS not IL dcut
that remained unpaid, ,--while some money
Wise men, IN tile re,icwais oi Ills conduct,
WAS heard 10 say he WAS exceedingly ilo,,-
est, or Il most lmnIoderaIe fool. such
also was fEc conclusion of The world
while II family aptauded his honesty, 1t
| Shut all t;iai!Ionabic doors against INN a
few morths afterwards when "a guest at
| his humble residence, he SAID 10 me al
most abruptly:
What think you of human nature my
friend 90
" 1t is a philosophical enigma" l re-
Piled.
= So It was to me, until | solved it,
sad he. 81 found il 1t strange compound,
Il larger portion CONSISTS OF sCiiishuCss
For Instance: : when the gliding OF wealth
covered my name, / was sought alter by
the very men who now turn their bach )
upon me. l was tiatIered 10y the omen,
VINO now II my name were mentioned iii
their presence, would affect tufgettuness
. ot having heard IL Alter dinner we viii
make some calls, dulIEg which you will
perceive ample Illustration of what have
said.
Accordingly after dinner we set out
/ We first entered ille connIing room of IA
/ merclsant, to whom he Introduced .ue as :.
friend. | soon learned that NY friend
was not held in the highest estimation
from the cold turna!tiy with which we
were received; We did rot even have the
! courtesy OF chairs offered us With :.
meaning smile, Raymond bade the Incr-
chant :. good aitcrnoon," anu VIC suon
found ourselves III the street.
This Is Illustration number one" said
Raymond laughing.
= Is 1t possible that you could ever have
| been Intimately acquainted with that
man?' asked.
THAT man has been reduced to tie
extremity OF being obliged 10 beg his din-
ners. lime after time | have thus ac-
commndatcd hlm. | even loaned hun
money 10 commence business, and YOU
have just seen how graciousy lie has en-
tertained me and my friend.
We next paused at the door of an ele-
giant mansion, wherein Raymond had been
u frequent and l.onored guest. 1t WAS the
residence of professional gentleman OF
large fortune, who still did Raymond the
Justice to regard him on all questions as
his friend, and IA treat him as such. His
lady had even professed greater friendship
for him than l.er husband, If not for her
own sake at least for her daughters sake,
to whom rumur once reported he was ell
gagged. Since Raymond's misfortune had
been whispered TO the world she no longer
spoke Of him as dear friend, but endea-
vored to persuade her husband 9 TO rid
the house Of him." which provoked the
calm reply:
g He is gentleman, and as such it is
my will that you should entertain him
whenever he may honor our house with
On this account, | suppose, we were
tolerated in the present instance, for the
geutl"nen We're not at home. The lady
/ received Us rather cody, which WAS pre-
pared to expect Alter we were seated,
/ Raymond inquired for Miss Richards, the
! daughter. 10 which the lady replied with
an apparent shrug OF the shoulders, tha.
she was well, but at present engaged
"No, mamma, am not,'' SAID the
beautiful girl, as she lightly entered the
room. D." am happy to meet an Old
friend. who I am sure, is not the less
welcome for being unfortunate.
The lovers,-for they really were-had
not met since Raymond's misfortune, ana
their meeting was now so heartfelt. thai
L could not for moment doubt the affcc
ton OF either. / also saw the cloud tha
rested upon the brow of Mrs Richards
nor was l surprised to hear her say:
" Ny daughter is so pleasantly engaged
gentlemen, that trust my presence is II,
longer required" and without ceremon,
she left the room.
"Clara," said Raymond, taking he
white hand, "are all my fondes, hopes
T. -.