New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-04
4 E4B IYyESTIENT

The parable Of the ,lothful servant Who hid
his talent in the emth has received fresh
illustration. An old gentleman near fitusyillc,
Pa. who had made a great deal Of money sud
denly. by the discovery Of petroleum upon his
land. conceived that the Sllrcwdc,t WAY o. dis
posing of his wealth was 20 bur couple OF
safes. place them III the chambers OF his house.
and constitute them the rcccptaclcs of his be-
loved cash. lie WAS not probably reader of
Dr. johnson, or he would have known that
wealth hoaped wealth nor truth nor safety buys
The dangers gather as the treasures rise"
This venerable capitalist liked 20 have his
bonds and grccnbacks always at hand. so that
he might secure the frcqucnty-rcncwod rap
turc OF seeing, feeling. counting, and locking
them up. again and again. Probably lac WIS
extremely miserable in his happiness, and
found hs delight rather strongly favored with
apprehension; bat he bought a revolver, hired
watchmcn, and PIT his faith in combination
lock of extraordinary strength and ingenuity.
Our readers know the result of this domestic
banking One fine Sunday evening, while the
only plucly man Of the family was AT church,
the house being Il quarter Of mile from any
other residence. the men OF violence came. tlod
the two watchmcn into their chairs, made a
package of the Opulcnt old gentleman, and
threw linn on Il bed, made . similar package
of the old gcntlcman's wife, made Il third
package of the old gentlemans niece, and
having thus corded everybody, and appr0pn
atcd the revolver To their own use, these ava
IciOus mfans took the key of his safe from
the wrctclcd old gcntlcmans pocket, walked
upstairs, helped themselves to about a quarter
g. NJ I.ll Itf a.
kitchen and par,ook Of free lunch, stole
sleigh and three horses from the barn, and 80
departed in guilty triumph.
Now, we have no doubt that this venerable
capitalist, vixen he found himself tie posScsSor
OF large bundles of money, wds Il GOOD deal
puzzled to know what to do with it, and had
not that touching confidence in the fl
deity Of his fellow creatures which
might have relieved his embarrassment
No doubt he reasoned with kind OF
logical lamencss. If he put his wealth into
railways the trcasurers of the companies might
abscond with it, and leave him bowling in vain
for dividends. II he deposited his funds in a
bank, the president might borrow them and
forget TO pay, the cashier might depart with
them upon long European tour, or the gentle
rooms and brothels, in buying rapid stccdS, or
in reckless combats with the tiger. If
he invested his capital in real; estate, the
mortgagOI's title might turn out to be full
of flaws; his tenants might sWindle him ont of
his rent the fire might consume his houses,
and his lands htGldepreciate in value he
would be at vast expense for insurance, and
reduced to beggaIy by taxes. Pray, what could
this poor rich man, this unfortunate Fortunatus
dOi What resource was there for him, but to
keep the cash pcrpetualy under his own eye?
To be sure, tue wisdom and safety of this CON
clusion have not been demonstrated 10y the
event; but if he felt an invincbc repugnance
10 loans and to investments, pray, we ask again,
what was he to do!
That he suffered frightfully, and passed many
nights in Il miseraby insomnous condition, we
may reasonably conclude. VI. Arscne Houssaye
gives MS a clever sketch of one Lantara, an
excellent French painter of the last century
but, like the English Morland good deal of
a vagabond. Upon one occasion somebody paid
him hundred crowns for landscape. Never
had he been so uncomfortable. He fancied
" that all the rogues in Paris were at his heels
" and that every passer-by gave him sinister
look. Above all, he no longer dared to get
drunk. He went to bed, but he could
mot sleep In the morning, Lantara takes
"his money, cursing riches as he does
80 lie goes to the tavern to relate