The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-11-14
The STORY-TELLER.
SUCCESS AND FAILURE,

L naQ come come Ddck, after an alb.
sence of nearly twenty-five years, to
linger for brief time amidst the old
places made sacred to memory by child
hood and youth. How familiar, and yet
how changed in its familiarity was every
thing EVERY thing but the living who
remained; and they were few, for death
had been there as everywhere. 1 asked
for this one and that one, as the thought
of boyish friends came trooping back
upon me, and the answer, dead" came
SO frequently that I felt as if pestilence
must have been there.
What of PaysonY" said I.
"Oh, he's all right" came the cheerful
answer of the old friend with whom I
was conversing.
"How all right 2" inquired. 4
My friend pointed to an elegant house
standing in the midst of ornamental
grounds that were adorned with foun-
tains and statuary.
"He lives there" said he.
I remembered him as young man of
small means, but industrious and saving.
We had been tolerably intimate and h had
liked him for his amiability, intelligence,
and cheerful temper.
Then he has become rich man p"
al" Yes, he is our wealthiest townsman !;
one of the most successful men in this
region of country" 2 Ta .'."S'T
"Did he build that house ?"
yes, and its style shows how we'll his
taste is cultivated. We feel naturally
proud of Mr.. Payson."
"Then he is liberal as citizen, using
his wealth in enterprises that look to the
common good 2"
"Oh, as to that" was the reply, he is
like other men,"
How like other men? ?"
"Thinks more of himself than he does
of other people"
. "And what of Melleville I" asked.
"Henry Melleville?"
"Yes."
There was change in my companions
countenance and manner that did not
foreshadow a good report. He shook his
head as he replied:
"Poor Melleville stands about where
you left him; never has succeeded we'll
in any thing"
"I am grieved to hear you say that.
Of all my young friends 1 valued him
most"
I" 1t is too true and I am sorry for it.
udU Is LIS uOuSt. ttuu uG 10 d
plain white cottage, standing not far
from the splendid residence of Mr.. Pay
son, which made it look poor and almost
mean in contrast.
"Strange diversity of fortune!" said,
speaking partly to myself. "Taking the
two men as now recall them, Melleville
most deserved success"
He was an excellent young man."
was replied to this "but lacked force of
character, 1 suppose, or some other ele-
ment of success. What, 1 don't really
know, for have not been very intimate
with him for some years. He is peculiar
in some things, and don't have great
many warm friends"
"Not SO many as Mr.. Payson, I pre-
sumo"
"Oh no! OF course not"
I was surprised at this intelligence.
OF the two men, carried in my mind
by far the pleasantest recollections of
Melleville, and was prepared to hear of
his success in life beyond that of almost
every other one / had left in my native
place.
What of Henry Melleville ?" I asked
of another.
"Oh, he's stick in the mud" was
answered coarsely, and with an indiffer-
ent toss of the head.
81 am sorry that my old friend Henry
Melleville has made out so poorly" said
l, speaking of him in a third direction.
"What is the cause of it 7"
O. The causes of success or failure in
life are deeply hidden" was the answer
received. Some men profess to be
gifted with clear sight in these mat
ters; but own to being in the dark.
There isn't an honester or more industri-
GUS man in the world than Melleville,
and yet he don't get along. Five or six
years ago he seemed to be doing very
well, better than usual, when his shop
burned down, and he lost not only val
liable tools, but considerable amount
OF stock, finished and unfinished"
Had he no insurance 7"
Yes, but it was only partial; Just
enough to get him going again. Ten
years ago he had mill, and was doing,
he told me, very well, when spring
freshet carried away the dam and water
wheel. He had only rented the mill,
and as the owner was in pecuniary diff
Guilty, and involved at the same time in
lawsuit about this very property, no
repairs were attempted, and he was
forced to abandon business that looked
very promising. And so it has been
with him all along. There ever comes