Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-02-12
TALE OF TWO CITIES.
The Downward Career Of q Wealthy
Chicago Mcrchant-Er0ln Affluence
and Luxury to the el:nmtng.s.zblea I: and
Poverty.

ChicaUo Mcrchant-Er0m AffluenCe
and Luxury to the l:amtng.,.zble I: and
Poverty.
From the New York Graphic.
Twelve wears ago this month notice IN
the Chicago papcrs announced the admission
of Il new member to the firm Of brothers,
Son Il Co., who were then doing the heaviest
grain business in the city. The head OF the
house, !; gentleman prominently ldentlheu
with the history OF the city, was IN Ola 1rleh0
of q resident of Boston, and it was son OF
the latter who became interested III the nfm
his interest being 100000. This young
man was an only son; was loved as only
sons usually are; had been sent abroad Tor an
education; and now, on his return, was gwen
the best possible start in business. lie was
brisk, nervous, and sanguinc; and the spirit
of the young city pleased him at once. lie
displayed considerable ability, was Jealous in
his duties, and became great favorite with
his senior partner. The head of the house
took him to live with him, and introduce him
into society, where he ''took" at once, andwas
regarded by matchmaking mothers us prize
much to he desired. Among the old residents
of the city was a man who may, for conven-
fence. be named Smith, Smith was not par
ticularly wealthy in the goods of this world
but he had large family of daughters, who
were very beautiful. They all bore strik-
ing resemblance to one another, and their
graces and accomplishments were very
marked. They were known to everybody IN
| Chicago rs ''old Jake" Smiths beautiful
daughters One after another they were
married off until but one remained singie-a
girl Just entering wOmanhoOd, well educated,
naturally brilliant, and her qualities height
cned by the charm of good society. She met
the junior partner of the leading grain house;
they became engaged " it'll the full concurrence
of all concerned, and when they were marrl-
ell the ceremony was an event sufnclently
! notable to be described at length in the vari-
GUS papers.
About this time the junior partner lost his
father who left him the remainer OF his for
tune His wife shortly before had lost the
parent yet remaining to her: This money
did not go to increase his interest III the
house; he thought he was doing well enough
| there, and was anxious to test his qualities
for speculation. He joined in a pool to
'.corner' wheat, and had he sold out in time
| could have realized largely. But he was too
coyctous, and when finally the ''corner
broke he was heavy looscr. He went in to
get back what he had lost, but instead of
recovering he lost again. His fathers friend
| urged him strongly to keep aloof from COM
mercial gambling. but his ady zee was un-
needed Again and again the young man
tempted fortune with varying success, but
gradually with losses exceeding the gains.
He led il fashionable life, lived in fine
house, and spent money lavishly. Gradually
he acquired taste for liquor, and the fever
of speculation gained complete ascendancy
over him. One night when gambling
| the inmates, and the next day the factbecamc
known publicly. His fathers friend had
| often given him judicious advice, and on this
occasion sought to bring him back from the
courses he had entered. A stormy interview
was followed by his Withdrawing from the
| firm. He now went downward fast. tie
became 50 infatuated that he could not wait
! for night to hide his movements, but in open
daylight walked in to houses of gaming. lie
was plucked without mercy. His horses
were sold, his fine establishments passed into
other hands, and society, which had encour
aged his grain speculations, turned against
him, now that he was known only as COM
mon gambler. Four or five years ago he
since the writer saw him one evening walk
ing on Broadway, tlashily dressed, with un-
steady gait, and his once fine features bloated
and marked by evil passions. One night
last week this mans wife was picked up on
the street by an officer. Her appearance
was awful Her face was wan, her forehead
was scared with wrinkles. A mass of dirty
rags covered her form. An old beaver hat
covered the head that once shone with jewels,
and her hair uncombed and tangled. Her
condition was imbccile, and her mind gone.
She was taken to the station-housc then before
a police court justice. On Saturday sister
arrived from Chicago, and took her from the
station-house, intending to place her in an
asylum.
This tale is true one. Its details are
known to many. There is gambling and
gambling. Human life depends to an extent
upon chance. So does seccess and misery
How many there are who give themseles up
to chance, to drift through life. In drifting
there arc dangers worse than deaths. a
man is born to struggle, and what of salts
faction and happiness he experiences comes
by struggling. Drifting through the world,
trusting to blind fortune, these too often lcadto
the maelstrom of despair.
Sensible Girl.
The following is an abstract Of an essay
from the pen of young lady graduate of
the Biddcford {Maine) High School, on the
absorbing question of ''What shall do to
live:" THE lords of creation have been
compared to sturdy oaks. and We to the vines
that cling to and wind around them; but this
,,,n<o phor &c ovor ,,arfiuonf tn c0onn