Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-06-29
4 @lrasant Storp.
MY BEST FRIEND.

was twenty-one-the possessor of
eighty thousand dollars in cash, and
owner of handsome residence on one
of the stylish thoroughiares of large
city.
No governor, no guardian, no maiden
aunt, no bachelor uncle to object to my
disposing Of myself and means accord
ing to my fancy.
She who gave me being had departed
from this world of change and succession
ere | could remember My remaining
parent, engrossed in merchandise and
bank stock, had no time to spare in
looking after his heir; consequently
was placed in the hands of nurse, and
as soon as my age would permit, was
bundled of to an institution to be
"crammed y.
Before reaching my majority, | re-
ceived a telegram to hasten homo, as my
father had received shock which his
medical attendants had pronounced fatal.
| reached home just in time to see him
breathe his last. Having received nc
special marks of affection from him, and
having only seen him during tho many
exciting intervals of my vacations, my
days of mourning were soon over. re-
turned TO college and remained there till
| was twenty-one. at which time | came
into possession of my fortune to use al
my own disposal
had no idea Of following the wake
Of father. ] had horror of business
| cherished recollection | had for the
yearning in youthful days for an exhi-
bition for the affection | had seen law
ished on others Of my own age. Ny
memory was still alive with the remem-
brance Of how | had run to his knee,
longing to be clasped in his arms, and
had my heart stung with cold repuse
why not enjoy life while | can 2"
said as ! sat alone in my room, for shen
youth has passed and manhood is on the
wane, it will be time enough to clog
independence with the encumbrances OIL
life.
] lifted the bank book from the tabl,
before me. and looking over it saw there
was no mistake, there was eighty thou.
sand dollars placed to MY credit.
joined a club. In closing my initia.
ton speech ] rendered champagne
supper to my companions. They were
too polite, certainly, not to do me the
honor Of accepting At the supper
was cheered and toasted, and was pro.
nounced merry good fellow.
Assuredly, | must have a fancy team
and give my friends turn around the
most popular drives. Besides / mus
visit The course aud stake on favorites. .
and engage in an occasional game Of poker
in the club. If / lost / must not vince
nor be heard to utter any regrets. All thi,
did and kept it up for a year. Then
my eyes were opened, but not in tho
same manner quite as the deacon's kittens
by knocking their brains out. II hap
pened this wise:
met young lady with whom | fell
deeply in love. No young lady was
sure, as | surveyed myself in the glass on
the evening l intended to propose, could
resist my suit. A handsome form, a
reputation obtained through my club of
being a great deal wealtbicr than | was
Gas if they didn't know my fortune to a
dlme) and a stand in society that any one
might envy, indeed, no sensible one
would refuse was my comment. But
my vanity received mighty shock. |
was refused, and 80 decided was the re-
fusal that | felt there was no hope. /
hastily left the scene of my disappont-
ment, went home, shut myself up, walked
the floor until morning was des-
perately in love, and even then was at
home to no one. | remained all day, not
withstanding trot was TO take place that
afternoon, on which | had staked large
amount. cared nothing about the result,
aud entertained some serious thoughts
about making my will. While modi-
tating on the subject the thought Gu
tered my mind that possibly | might