The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-02-18
ON THE BRINK.

I have known Arthur Gravely
we'll and intimately. A part of his
story came to my knowledge
through my own observation, and
part be told me himself. :
Arthur came Of an old. well-de.
fined and respectable stock, with
just enough Of aristocratic pride in.
herited from his progenitors>to give
him refinement and self-reliance
At an early age he was left an or
phan. and received most Of his ed
ucation under the care of an uncle.
When he was one-and-twenty he
was admitted to the employ of a
banker named Vandcrlain, andvery
soon took a position of trust and
responsibility in the house. A year
later he took for. his wife Fanny
Summerton-one of the tairest and
sweetest of earthly treasures. He
had loved her long and truly, and
her love in return had been single
and devoted. Thus was life open
ing for Arthur Gravely with bright
and happy promise. lie had friends
whichever way he turned; his busi-
ness prospects were OF the very
best; and his home was al earthly
paradise.
One enemy, and one enemy alone,
at this time stood in Arthur's path.
His wife did not see it then. She
loved him so tondly and so trust
ingly that she could not see fault.
A few of Arthur's friends feared
danger, and one OF them, more
bold than the rest, spoke to him
warningly, but kindly; but he
turned away from the warning with
sneer of derision.
The months and the years went
on from twenty-five to twenty
eight.
Six years of married life-six
years of blessing so far as the outer
things of life can give blessing. In
the bank Arthur had assumed a
place very near to the head, and bis
salary was muniticent.
From early youth Arthur Grave
ly had found the wine-cup among
the symbols of life's social phase.
lie had kept wine in his own house; !;
he had used it upon his sldeboard
and upon his table; and he had par
taken freely abroad. In the earlier
years it was wine, and only wine Of
the best and purest. Later, strong
er liquors were required to keep up
the tone. At the age Of eight-and-
twenty, there had come an undue
flush upon Arthur's cheek, and
there were blotcLcs in the eye which
ought not to have been there. He
now took brandy bcfore breakfast,
and through the day he was forced
to supply fuel to feed a fire which
else might have consumed all bodl-
Iy comfort. AS yet he had never
been hclplessly intoxicated. Lie
was confident in his own strength.
Alas for the man thus failing !!
lie knows not that his powers OF
understanding are dying out as the
body fades and perishes!
At length Mr.. Vanderlain called
Arthur into his private closet, and
told him that he was going to sus-
pend business. ...
II have money enough said
Mr.. Vanderlain, "and | know that
my close application to business is
wearing upon me. l am growing
in years, and need rest. l think OF
going to Europe -
land OF closing up your busl-
neSs?'
Yes"
"But, sir, there is no need of that.
If you will trust your bank under
the guidance of some Capable and
responsible agent, with your name
at its head, it might go prosperous
ly on, and you could go away upon
your trip at WILL"
A cloud came upon the bankers
face, and he shook his head.
1T is too late,' he said. cat
some time I may tell you more"
Shortly after this, in process OF
closing up his business, Mr.. Van
derlain sent Arthur to a distant city
to make some important settle
ments. Arrived at his destination,
the young man called upon the cor
respondents Of the bank, and hav-
ing made preliminary arrange
ments, he found himself with a few
days upon his hands which he
might enjoy in pleasure. On the