Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-02-10
TWO KINDS OF PLEASURE.

W. t'ffsfa''F ''fiffs Hi+t
He's a mean, niggardly fellow, and you
can't make anything else Of it, said Jamc.
Pearce, addressing half dozen companions.
and speaking very emphahcaly.
" SO he is" echoed another.
Ay, a regular skinhint" addol third.
wouldn't n-k such fellow to ~ any
where chimed in a fourth | would not
have him at any rate"
Its pity that such good fellow should
be so mean" resumed Pcarce. " supposed
be would be on hand for any kind Of fun"
These were young men ranging from twenty
to thirty years Of age, all fond Of what they
denominatcd hfe They lived in a large sub
urban village where sport was plenty, and
the means Of carrying it on abundant They
were none Of them really bad youths, but they
lived fast
What's all this ?" asked young man
who came up just as the last remark was
made, and whose name was Landon Merritt
We are talking about Tom Thornley," "
replied james Pearee.
And what about him ? "
We were speaking about his meanness"
What do you find mean. in Tom Thorn
Icy ?"
Why-eyerything Here he is, right
among us, just in the prime Of youth, money
enough, aud yet be won't pay cent towards
any Of our fun Only this morning | went
to him and asked him to subscribe towards
our club and what do you suppose he said q?
He just very eoolly told me he couldn't afford
it. Now what do you think Of that
Well, don't know, answered Merritt
81 think he could afford it if he wished"
" OF course he could Afford it2 Why,
he not only has salary Of clear thousand a
year, but know that he has ten thousand at
interest, beside the splendid house his father
left him. He's mean chap anyway
" How much did you ask him to put down 2'
" didn't name any sum, but told him
that | had put down fifty dollars for the year,
and most of the others had done the same.
But be couldn't afford ii!-l}ah, he's a mser
IA regular skindint. Why, | supposed as
soon as he got back from college, he'd make a
glorious companion for us meant he should
90 TO our races. join our boat club, put up a
shilling at poker once in while, and make
himself happy generally. But now look at
him There he is at home every evening
aud afraid to come out lest he should lose a
cent"
who's that, james % asked voice close
at hand
The party turned and saw Thomas Thorn
ley himself, who md just come round the cor
uer of the building before which they stood
He was young man, not over tiye-and-twenty,
and wore the appearance Of true and intel
ligont man.
What is it2 Who is it that has thus
inerited your disapproyal 2'
All hands were silent for moment but
Pearce saw that his companions expected him
to speak, and he did so.
- III tell you, Tom, he said We We're
talking about you. won't say thing be-
hind mans back that wouldn't say to his
face. was saying that | was disappointed
in you"
"Ah, how so?" asked Thornley, with a
smile.
Why, with your not joining with US in
our sports, and bearing your share of the tax.
But mind, we aren't anxious for you to do so,
if you don't wish it"
" And | suppose that it is my wish not to
do so, that you condemn.
"Yes, | thought for chap that had so
much money as you have IT looked rather
small to be boarding it away like an old
miser"
" But, my dear friend, you forget that every
man naturally follows that which he thinks
yields him the most pleasure. If you find
the most pleasure in spending your time and
money in boating, horso-raciug, card-playing
and in wine suppers, | shall not find fault with
you, though sincerely believe that you could
spend time and money to better advantage"
That's your opinion
" 1t is"
"Well, 'tisn't mine After sticking to
business all day, think We have some right
to a little recreation in the evening. And
once in a while, of pleasant day, well trot
horse, or sail boat, and hurt nobody"
'' And of course you do so, do you not ?"
"Of course we do"
"Then why find fault with me ,"
" Because you keep from us that compan-
ship which we have a right to expect. If you
were a regular Jack, we shouldn't care but
you're too good a fellow to sneak away from
us in this fashion. You love fun as well as
any of us, only speak plainly"
" Certainly go on
" You're too miserly to pay for il; and
that don't look well for one who has so much
money as you have"
For some moments Thornley, was silent. A
single instant there appeared flush upon his
cheek, but meaning smile soon took its place.
Boys" he said at length, you do not fully
understand me. But come with me to my
home, and ! will explain Come, | cannot
offer you wine, but you shall have as nice
fruit as this section can afford and if | do
not satisfy you that | am right, will give
you hundred dollars for your club. Come,
| will not detain you long"
As the young man spoke, he turned back
towards whence he had come, and the others
followed him. The walk was not long, for at
short distance from the dusty street they
came to cottage-like mansion, before which
spread wide park, with neatly gravelled
foot and carriage paths, along the borders Of
which grew all sorts of flowers and eyergreens.
Thomas led the way up the yerandah, and un-
der the shade of the trellsed walk, he stopped
and pointed TO some statutes that had recently
been set up near an artificial fountain.
How do you like those ," he asked.
"Splendid," answered several.
=" / take great deal of pleasure in having
them there; and though they cost me quite a
sum, yet | do not regret it."
Next he led them into the house, and con-
Quoted them to a room which he informed
them was his own place of resort, The apart
ment was spacious and airy, and the ceiling
high and frescoed. Around the walls hung
several paintings, together with quite num-
Der of richly framed engraving
AT the angles of the wall were inches in
which stood chaste and elegant statuettes and
busts. One side Of the apartment was who'll
ly occupied by library, within which were