Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-01-20
How Mayor navemeyer er Took his Pic

How Mayor navemeyer Took his Pie.
The recent decease Of Mayor Havemeyer called
to the mind Of friend Of his the following story.
He WAS one evening strolling up 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 age as 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 and sue
cess
His life, however, had not kept the promise
of his youth He had not been prosperous at
all. Though lending, to all appearance, an ex-
emplary life, and seemingly indsposed to Vi
cious associations of every sort, aud domestic
in his habits his life had been, humanity speak
ing, as complete failure as the Mayors had
been srccess. 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 iberality and patience Of friends
who were disposed to assist him, 30 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 shabbness He
had general look of belonging to no one and
of nobody belonging to him. will call him, If
you please. Mr.. K.
We saluted him courteousy, and when he had
passed made some remark to my companion
ABOUT tne strange persstence oi tne poor ihan 3
i'll luck.
"X-and l." said the Mayor, fused to be
school-mates. We used to carry our dinners
with us to school, which was at some distance
from our respective homes 1t WAS my habit to
begin my dinner with my cold meat and bread,
and when that was finished ate my pie or cake
or whatever delicacy my mother might have put
into my basket; while u, observed, always
began with his pie or cake, and finished with hs
cold meat. l remember one day asking him
why he ate his pie first.
d'Because Iprefer to eat the good things" lie
replied, when am most hungry, for then can
enjoy them most. When ! have eaten all my
| meat. the pie would not taste half 30 good
"' But, said l, you spoil your appetite fol
your cold meat, which you would enjoy when
hungry, and after which you would enjoy your
pie also.
"Neither my reasoning nor my example con.
vinced him. As he made his bed he is lying Oh
| it. In his youth he ate his pie and had his
sweet things now, in his old age, he is worrying
| down his hard tack as you see. Had he learn
| ed little sef-denial when he was young, lie
would moi have been called upon for 80 much in
| his old age. He started life with every advan-
| tage apparently over me. His parents were rich
mine comparatively poor. He was sent to col
| lege and educated for liberal profession was
obliged to leave school early and earn my living
| II he had taken advantage of his youth and
strength to do what it was then comparatively
| easy to do, il he had denied himself tile luxuriet
| Of idleness and extravaganza then, he would now
| have leisure, wealth, and consideration, insteat
of being behold, n to his friends more than hall
| the time for money to purchase his dinner with
| He ate all his pie when he WAS young he mus
sustain his old age upon what is left in his bas
ket."