American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-02-05
Confessions OF a Selfish Man.

A WRITER in the Cincinnati Commercial,
| sketches his life as follows:
To-day am seventy five years of age, and
l have been reviewing my life. OF all men
In the world we think selfish man is to
be the most despised. 1t is the selfish
man who aims to crafty his own pleas
ures and desires, regardless of the conse-
quences which may befall others. AT the
| age OF nineteen [ married, and candor
compels me to say that my partner for
life was one of the loveliest of Gods
creatures. Though previous to our mar
riage she had received many offers of
marriage from men of wealth and high
position in the world, still this true, no.
ble-hearted woman preferred me above all
was marrying a poor man. Three years
after our marriage legacy of 5000
was bequeathed TO my wife. In those
days man was looked upon us
i" wealthy" who could command $40, 900.
In a short time purchased a fourth in
terest in the firm with which had been
engaged for a number of years. The
profits were immense, and at the age of
twenty six / was indeed n wealthy man.
At the age Oftwonty- eight six children had
been added to the family, and right here
is where my selfishness began to show.
Though our business was still in flour
ishing condition, began to impress upon
every member of the family the ne
cessity of being economical. The chill
dren were denied every pleasure when a
pecuniary expenditure was necessary to
contribute in any way to their enjoyment.
My. family dreaded to acquaint me with
their slightest wants, knowing that
the reply would be: Z" You must
practice economy" How many times
have l insisted on my wife wear
ing the same bonnet and dress "just
one more season." and have seen
her wearing the same cloak four or five
winters; but must have a new Overcoat
each spring and winter, and new beaver
as often as the styles changed. l must
also have the finest patent leather boots
and shoes, but my wife almost feared TO
mention that she needed a new pair of
CATERS. l have seen her economist in
various ways to enable her to purchase
some article she fancied, and in truth
actually needed. My children grew up
in ignorance, because l could not spare
the means to properly educate them. 1t
was my own useless expenditures that
prevented my doinga pill justice to my
family. My children are all OF a good old
age. My wife is wrinkled and gray, and
we are both "passing down the hill of
life" The hand that writes this is a
trembling one. More than once have /
had to wipe my "specs," SO that might
see the lines more clearly. 1t is too late
to make atonemcnt for my cruelty and
past neglect but l make tins true and
honest confession as warning to all
meanly-selfish persons, that they may
not follow in my footsteps. For forty-f five
years my expenses have varied but little
each year. My night lunches have cost
me each week $3.50; for one year, $l30.
Ihave often attended the theater five nights
a week. and my expenses in that line have
cost me not less than $125 per annum.
When not at the theater, spent the re-
naming nights in some billiard hall, flor,
much to my regret, but few of my even
ings were spent with my family, and
added SIS more to my expenditures each