Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-09-30
SELECTED STORY
EDGAR ASHCROFT'S BAD LUCK,

e.
streets at an unu'ually early hour in the
morning /; for in general he was given to
late evening hours, and getting up in the
morning whenever he felt like it. He did
not pause till he reached plain brick house
in quiet street. Ringing the bell rather
excitedly, he inquired Ct tho servant who
answered his summons,
rs your master in 2
Yes, sir
Hand him my card, and ask him if he
will not see me-
The servant quietly re-appeared, with
the request that Edgar would follow her in :
to her masters presence.
Edgar was ushered into pleasant sitting
room, where his friend, Charles Holden, g
sedate man, at least ten years older than
himself, was seated at a table on which
rested small trunk Of business documents,
which he had brought home for examina
ton, his business being that of lawyer.
what brings you here at this esrly
hour, Ashcroft? 2 asked the lawyer in sur
prise.
Bad news said Edgar, thrusting his
uduuG lAtO h'o TdiGtCOat pOChGtS kilu fpCttN-
ing in an excited tone.
bad news! I am sorry to hear that
But what is it 2
You remember I consulted you three
months ago about investing ny money in a
copper mine somewhere up in the Lake
Superior region
I remember it perfectly. [ advised you
to have nothing to do with it,
I wish I had taken your advice; but
was fool enough to be dazzled by the brilliant
promises OF the directors and the long and
short of it is, invested my entire fortune
in the concern
is it possible? p
I wish it wasn't but it is.
We'll, how has it turned out
The shares are selling for five dollars,
where I paid hundred
How many have you /
Five hundred That is, I invested fifty
thousand dollars, and could only sell out
for twenty five hundred to- day
Sell OUT said Holden laconically.
! What! and sacrifice ninetccn-twentieths
Of my fortune?
Better that than the whole.
But don't you think it is worth anything
Not a cent
| There are some good mines there.
{ True, but this was got up by swindlers,
to heat the confding public out Of their
money. 1t will 60 down to nothing.
But twenty-five hundred dollars won't
support me, said Ashcroft in dismay
Do as do then
What?
Earn your living by your own exertions
But, said Edgar, have never been
brought up to work.
Everybody ought to do something.
But consider my delicate health. My
constitution is very weak. can assure you
I should think it might be. You turn
night into day, and day into night.
Late hours at parties, soirees, and thea
tres are enough to undermine any constitu
ton when carried to the excess you are
carrying them:
Do you really think that?
Yes, I do.
never thought of that. Perhaps yog
may be right; but if I were able, wha
could I do? Who would engage me az
clerk
How would you like to follow my profes
zion
AS lawyer?
Yes.
Isn't it hard work
Of course it is Anybody that expects tt
to succeed in any profession must look for
ward to hard work.
Would you recommend it
I would recommend you to try it +?
Til tell you what I'll do. I'll engag
you as my Office clerk, and pay you lift,
dollars a month That will be all you will
earn the first year, perhaps more; but III
agree to give it. Then you can sell gu
your shares, and get one hundred and lift.
dollars annual interest on what is LETT. Tina
will give you seven hundred and fifty dol
lars year income.
How can I live on that asked Edgar il
dismay. I assure you my tallor's bill
amount to nearly that
Then you must change your tailor: Ii
fact, you must change your plan OF life
You must drop the man Of fashion and be
come steady-going clerk. -.
It will be hard, said the young man, hi
expression indicating mental struggle
But it is necessary. Then again, con
slider that it is only for o time II yo'
work with energy, you will soon command
good income. [ am willing to extent
every assistance in my power, and uron yo'
must depend the rest.
What do you say?
You really think my health will allow o
the necessary labor?
I do.
Then 7 will make I'D my mind to it.