Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-06-28
IN BUSINESS HOURS.
BIT TIIr AUTHOR or s.THEEE YEAlss -
MaN-TI.AI -

II
face, and deep, thoughtful eyes. II
you studied this countenance when
in repose, you read in many Of its
lines, a record of disappointment
and heart-ache. The other was a
handsome young man, with clear,
confident eyes and a selfpoised air.
You saw that he had faith in him
self-Was hopeful and strong, and
meant to win in the race of life.
"Why do you say in business
hours, Mr.. Clarksony" inquired the
young man as he held the wine near
his lips.
because success in business re-
quires a clear head; and no head is
as clear after glass Of wine is taken
as il was before"
Mr.. ClarksOn said this so graYely
and suppressively that his compan-
ion was struck by his manner, and
I felt that he spoke from some pain
full experience. He estood irresolute
for moment, and then set down
the untasted glass of wine.
Fright my young friendp' There
was tone of satisfaction in Mr..
! ClarksOn's voice.
"But," said Howard, as he moved
back from table covered with the
daintiest refreshments and the choi-
sest wines-a table surrounded by
beauty and fashion-'FI see many of
| our successful business men here,
and they are taking wine freely
At bridal reception no one can re-
fuse"
sThe occasion does not lessen the
DANGER" Mr.. Clarkson answered.
''Some men who go from here this
morning will be poorer by nightfall
than when they came"
In the chance of trade and specu-
latiOn loss and gain come to some
men every day. 1t is the natural
course of things" said Howard.
'.But / mean poorer for the wine
I they drank here" replied Mr.. Clark
{ son. 81 see men in this room who
have large business interests of their
J own aud others to manage; inter-
ests that require the coolest judg-
| ment and the most careful thought.
They viii hurry away from here in
/ q little while, and go back to their
! offices, their stores and their count
( ing rooms, to take up the work they
intermitted for brief hour. Do
you think they win be as clear
headed as before2 as well fitted 10
grapple with the issues that demand
their highest ability? Win tho wine
they have taken be a beip or hin
drance?
81 could tell you a story" Mr..
Clarkson added after a pause, $50
full of warning that its lesson
would hardly fail TO impress you
deeply. But this is neither the time
nor the place"
"Win you make the time and
placer" asked Howard, whose in
terest and curiosity were both ava
kened.
ayes"
"When and where?''
81 shall be at home this evening,
and will be pleased to see you. l
live at 4O3 - street"
"Thank you. l shall certainly
can."
The two men separated, Young
Howard wondered how Mr.. Clark
son should have manifested any
special concern for him. What had
been said about the danger of con-
fusing the mind by drink in business
hours fingered in his thoughts, and
the more he pondered it the more
its significance grew upon him. In
the evening he called upon Mr..
ClarksOn, as he had promised.
Glad TO see you my young friend,'
was the kind greeting he received.
81 knew your father years ago; and
there are many things in my memo
ry of him that recall with pleas
ure. He was true man, Mr. How
ard; and the world is the better for
his having lived in ii. II was the
thought of him that led me to speak
ss did this morning. / might al
most say that il was voice Of
warning from your father through
me-"
81 cannot but feel a little surpris-
ed at this" Howard said, frankly
'sMy father used wine. l have Of
ten seen him take glass at his own
table when he had company. He set
it before his guests and partook of
il on social occasions. At my sis
ter's wedding reception, which oc-
CURED during his lifetime, wine
was served as at the reception this
morning.
A shadow dropped over Mr..
ClRrkson's face. After a little ST.
lence he replied: 81 know all this
And your father never used wine TO
excess-did not care much for it,
was only in accord with a social
custom And yet, temperate as he
was, you are poorer to-day by many
thousands of dollars than you would
have been if he had not taken a few
glasses of wine at your sisters we'd
ding reception"
"4ou cannot mean what you say,
Mr.. ClarksOnw the young man ex-
claimed, his face flushing and paIing
by turns.
cit is true my young friend"
was answered. "And / too was
hurt beyond recovery by the wine l
drankin health to the bride on that
occasion. 1t was in business hours,
and it robbed my mind of the clear
sight needed at time when to blum
der was next TO ruin"
81 am more surprised than I can
express" was the young mans re-
mark. "My father hurt by winel-
1t seems impossible. Are you very
sure about this thing, Mr.. Clark
son?"
81 cannot be mistaken. The re-
cords of disaster are cut very deep"
'fWiu you tell me the whole sto-
ry?"
cit is still very fresh in my men,
! ory. It seems an event of yester-
day. 1 had an engagement to meet
your father after the reception
The Lake Superior copper mining
fever was then at its height. Your
father was a cool, elearheaded man,
and generally kept aloof from
/ schemes of money-making not con-
nected with legitimate trade. 1t so
happened that one OF your restless,
over sanguine men, who are always
on the look out for some scheme by
! which money can be made more
rapidly than in comparative mer-
! camille or manufacturing operations
| had made = visit to the Ontonagon
region, and, in company with a
! county surveyor, prospected for a
mine. According to his represents
ton, they had discovered one OF the
richest deposits of Or8 in the whole
( Lake Superior region, and held the
| secret OF its location. He had come
out East TO organize a company,
and had yet only talked to few cap
italists, who had arranged to meet