Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-10-02
WORTH NOT WEALTH.

1t is a simple story. we have to tell
and it is a story of today, with th'
actors living aud moving among US
We will not direct the stare of the
multitude by publishing real names
Let Us say that Mr.. Beverly was a
merchant, wealthy, respected and In
fuential, doing a business large
enough to satisfy the ambition OF al
Astor or a Billy Grey. Previous tC
the fell swoop of the FIRE 6end in Bos
ton. his store reared its granite from
on franklin stree, and multitudlnou'
and bulky we're the bales and boxes
that found daily transit to aud from
the busy matt.
In Mr.. Beverly's employ were three
clerks-George Acton, Philip Louis
and Clarence Bugbee-who had en-
tered to learn the mercantile business
and who had given promise Of Profci
euey. The fact that they had been
retained iu the house year or more
was proof positive to those who knew
Mr.. Beverly, that they were Of indus
trious, steady habits, aud youths oi
promise.
At home M Rc,,!iJ hid amor9'
his children q daUghter-FlOrence by
name-who often came to the store
and whom the clerks had met Of hel
fathers house. These clerks could be
gay and gallant on occasions, hut
never toward Florence Beverly. The
feeling they entertained toward heI
vas one of vor,hip. In their heart'
they sdored her afar off, giving he'
respectful attentions, and pricing he'
smile of recognition as priceless
boon.
SO far as the family connections o.
these three young men were concern
ed they were honorable, respected
people but none of them wealthy
Mr. Beverly was wont not to seeS
his trusted servants among those whC
had been reared in ease and luxury
On a certain OCCASION Mr. Beverly
was heard to remark that he woulC
"a her give his daughter in marriage
TO man poor IN purse, who conc
bring the wealth of pure and up
right heart, than to the possessor o
millions whose manhood was tsInte'
4 o ,he least degree.
This remark cane to the knoWl
edge of the clerks, and it is not sur
prising that they thercupon expert
enced wild and brilliant day dreams
! in which most stupendcus end dag
Iliug castles were constructed IN tn
air.
As time passed on they became
more and more familiar with Flor
euce's sweet smile, snd we're admit
ted to degree Of .tiendship whle'
proved, ct leaat, mat she did not des
pise them.
At length came the devastating hr
Of the nin,h OF November. Upol
viewing the scene oC desolstiou, an,
calculating the chsuces and necessi
ties Of business Mr.. Beverly resolve'
he would not Immediately seek net
Iauarters for the continuance Of hi
trade. He had no need, and did no
care to do it, so be secured an otic
where he could meet Snd consul
with his correspondents, and settl
outstanding accounts, in pursuauc
| of which only the services OF bis pr
va,e secretary and two boOk-keePer
we're required
The three clerks we're sum none
to the nerchat's presence. tie tol
them what he bad concluded to d
and why he had so concluded, and b
ADVISED that they should SEEK SON
other employment until he was read
to start again.
81 shall build as soon as possible
he said, "snd then your old place
will be open for you. 10 the mel
time. if you are hard pushed, do NJ
hesitate to come to me for assistanc
Within two weeks from that tin
both Philip Lewis and Clarence Bus
, bee called upon Mr.. Beverly, and as
3 ed for the lOan of hundred dollaI
= each. They had been unable
6ud employment, and in arrears II
board. The merchant kinkly ga'
them the money with q little fathe
ly advice touching care aud econom
Que day after this, as Phillip az
+, Clarence were walking down Il
blaekened track that had once bee
Franklin street, they saw youu
4 man 10 q guernsey frock, working
the windlsss ofs derrick, amid Il
: ruins of the old store, whom th'
thought they recognized. The
crossed over and found it to te the
fellow clerk, George Acton.
'In mercy's name, George, wh
does this mean7 Is it only an escal
of yours2"
NO" answered Acton, wiping Il
sweat from his brow, 81 am fair
and honestly at work, and earn t'