Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-06-18
8roken.Knecd Friends.

Ifany one wishes to obtain the rep
utation ofbeing philanthropist and
philosopher combined there is no
surcr way of his attaining the desired
end, than by cXpatiat ng OH the differ
cnt treatment which q man receives
when he is sailing OIL the glittcring
sea of prosperity, and when he is bat
tling with the black waves of advcrs-
ity. ltis always sure card to play,
to talk about how one $ friends drop
off when they discover that there is n
probability that, instead of getting
anything out of him, lie may want to
drag something from them. 1t is not
by any means difficult to point the
moral to the effect that it is shown
that they never love one for himself,
but that their affection ia, at the best,
somewhat refined description OF
that kind known as "cupboard love-"
People, when dealing with this mat
terfou abstract grounds, have noth-
ing but compassion for tie unfortu-
nate and condemnation for the pros
perous friends. This is unjust, and
! the large majority Of tho world ac-
kuvwle6gcs the fact by making it's
practice Wonderfully at variance with
its prospect. Tho truth is, that a
great portion of those persons who
come to grief show few traits OF char
acter, when in the midst oftheir mis-
fortunes, calculated to endear them to
| the hearts of those with whom they
constantly associate. Your broken
knccd friend is, more often than rot,
a carping, disagrceable fellow, always
ready to make nasty remarks himself,
but prepared to take instant offence
at anything short that may be said OF
him. The true man bears his woes
in as becoming manner as possible,
not caring 10 go about demanding
sympathy and substantial recognition
of hIs mistortunes, aud losing pa.
thence if this be not Immediately cX.
tended to him. Tie broken-kneed
friend, on the Other hand, is contiuu-
ally ravjns of his troubles and point.
ing out with ti-esome pertinacity
how he is answerable for none OF
them. According to his own show
ing, lie has been the most prudent
talented, and conscientious man thai
lever lived. Hint tbat he has, perhap:
failed in a matter of Judgment, and
though such is undoubtedly the case
l,e will work himself up into tire
4 niendnus fIme aud. rail against wha
he describes as your iinty-henrtednes
and calm insolcnce in a manner tina
. is startling, If not edifying. He doe
not only show his teeth to Your face
|, but he has many a snap aL you be
: hind your back. You are, pert,ps
prosperous and he isn't. But is tia
! any merit of yours, think you? or
: it any discredit to him that lie is no
i in the upper fosiuon2 Not bit Q
it. You have had luck, aud he ha
{ mot that is your only superiorit
r over him. 1t is not by amy means q
= easy matter to do him kindness.
I you treat him gushingly he is ut ono
Impressed with the firm convirtio
n thatsyou arc endeavoring TO patroniz
a him, sort of thing which he imme
q diately resolves not to stand. II yo
: adopt acainer tone towards him
: jumps to the conclusion that you ar
~ !; q ostuck-up' snob, and are .ashame
Il TO fraternize with him ON account
N his poverty. IL you ask him to yot
n house 20 dinner, TO meet certain otl
is err friends, the probability is that
" detects desire on your part to sligl
m him. apparsnt iu your not havii
" ask ed linn TO meet some one clsc.
- you do not pass him the compiimc
d; at ali, you must expect hcnceiorwal
cy TO be considered his most bitter fC
4; When, during the progress of a co
.e versation, you venture TO expfess
J" opinion contrary to another Will
he has cnunciated, Inc pcrsuades MI
self that you are yaunting your SUI
riority at his expense. But, beessl'
=, you have money. aud he has NOT, nc
10. not going 10 allow himself 20 oe =
m upon, and so he does battle VAN y,
e,e e,e in a manner that 10, 70 say ING 10,
~ of il, extremely vigorous. n