Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-01-28
How Mayor saavemey or Took his Pie

How Mayor DAavesney or Took his Pie
The recent decesse Of Mayor Havemeyer called
to the mind of friend of his the following story
He was one evening strollng mp Broadway with
the ex- Mayor, on their way home, when-as We
were chatting along We met gentleman well
known to us both, who had long been, in some
respects, an object Of sympathy to his friends.
he WAS OF about the same ago NJ Mr.. Havemey-
or, had enjoyed in his youth the advantages OF a
refined home, good schools, AN established social
position, powerful connections, aud every Ap-
parent guarantee Of worldly prosperity aud sue
cess.
His life however, had not kept the promise
Of his youth. He had not been prosperous ut
| all. Though loading, to all appearance, an OK
| emplary life, and seemingly indsposed to vi
cious associations of every sort, and domestic
| in his habits, his life had been, humanity speak
| ing, ss complete failure az the Mayors had
been II success. He had tried many different
kinds OF business, but had not succeeded in any.
He WAS always needy, and had pretty much ex-
hausted the liberality and patience OF friends
who were disposed to as sist him, 80 that his Wis.,
its were rather avoided and no one was exactly
proud OF his acquaintance. HIS dress WAS care
less and worn to the verge Of shabbiness. He
had general look Of belonging to no one and
OF nobody belonging to him. Twill call him, if
We ssluted him courteously, and when he had
| passed made some remark to my companion
about the strange persistence Of the poor man
| i'll luck.
"X-and L." said the Mayor. s'used to be
| school-mstea. We used to carry our dinners
| with ns to school, which was ut some distance
from our respective homes. 1t WAS my habit ia
begin my dinner with my cold meat and bread
and when that was finished ate my pie or cake
whatever ,delicacy my mother might have put
began with his pie Or cake, and finished with Iii.
cold meat. ! remember one day asking hin
why he ate his pie first
".Becanse prefer to eat the good things" he
replied, when l am most hungry. for then car
enjoy them most. When l have eaten all m,
meat. the pie would not taste half 80 good
But, said l. You spoil your appetite fo
your cold meat, which you would enjoy whel
hungry, aud after which you would enjoy you
pie also.'
Neither my reasoning nor my example con
it. In his youth he ate his pie aud hsd hi
sweet things now, in his old aye, he is worrying
down his hard tack ~ you soc. Had lie learn
ed little self-denial when he was young, h
would not have been called upon for 80 much il
his old age. He started life with every adyAn
tage apparently over me. His parents were ricl
mine comparatively poor. He was sent to col
lege and educated for liberal profession l wa
obliged 10 leave school early and earn my living
II he had taken advantage Of his youth an
strength 70 do what it was then comparatvel
easy to do, II he had denied himself tile luxurie
OF idleness and extravaganza then, he would no
= have leisure, wealth, and consideration instea
: OF being behold on to his friends more than ha
q the time for money to purchase his dinner witt
q He ate all his pie when he was young he mui
9 sustain his old age upon what is left in his ba.
) ket."