Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-10-02
MIscELLAHE Gus.
MIND AND MONEY.

u,STfldAI business are you gong to, fol>
sgsc low? asked Roger Blake Of his most
intimate friend and seat>mate in school, Wall
tel, Henshaw.
"Don't know. Something attractive.
Guess I'll pitch tent on the common aud
exhibit dancing bear, snake aud ca, with
two tails-all for ten cents" was the careless
reply Ply v.,..- ,o ;. ..-,o,. 49,, .
talk little about the future. I've made up
my mind to go to college, and 1 want you to
go with me-" -.
"Whew that takes money. Poor mems
sons-suoh as you and I-can't get into col
lege."
1--WE have health and energy-thats cap
ital: | am willing to work hard to obtain
an education" -. ..... sr
II mean to be rich" exclaimed Walter,
eagerly. "1'll have money somehow. Money
controls the world 1t gives position and
influence; it covers defects or character and
buys friends and favor" .-.....-.
There is far greater power in cultured
mind returned Roger, earnestly. There
is Joseph Morris, worth over a million of
dollars, and he is not a tenth part as much
respected as our minister, Mr.. Harold who
has not thousand; but he has fne mind
and noble heart, which make him loved
and honored"
''Well, you may fill your head, Roger,
with Latin, and Greek and science. and III
find way to fill my pocket book Time
will show which is the WISER"
This conversation was held long, long ago,
as the boys walked home from school one
bright summer afternoon. Despite their
great dissimilarity of temperament and chars
ncter, they were warmly attached, and moths
ing had ever occurred to disturb the harmony
Of their friendship.
Many years passed There ig a conquer
ing power in brave spirit. Roger Blake,
stimulated by lofty aspirations, had battled
desperately with poverty aud had overcome
every obstacle in his path. Higher, higher,
higher he had climbed. From close stu
dent he became brilliant lawyer and wise
and noted judge. He was q man of uu-
swerying integrity, a strong advocate of tens
perance and leader of every reformatory
movement.
One day nm important criminal case was
brought into court. The defendant was a
man of fine bearing, little past the meridian
of life. His strongly marked features evinced
much native ability, but bore the unmistak-
able stamp of inebriation. Ho was accused
of the double crime of forgery and man
slaughter.
When his name "WaIter Henshaw," was
read in court, Judge Blake glanced towards
the prisoner. Their eyes met, and surprise
and recognition was visible in each. Tweu>
ty years had passed since they parted, and
their lives had undergone a revolution Wal
ter Henshaw covered his face with his hands.
The poison of dark memories was ranking
within him and the future was hopeless.
Judge Blake, too, was deeply moved, and his
h.o th 1o,r
departed years to the time when they fshed
and hunted and gathered berries and nuts to-
gether. He had established himself in a
great city and made a name. Where had
Walter been these intervening years? There
was great gulf between them. What had
caused it?
AS the trial progressed, much important
information was elioited from the witnesses.
Walter Henshaw had early begun disgrace4
full career. He had resorted to artifce, dis
stimulation and fraud to obtain money. He
had made many thousand dollars By a for
tunate speculation. But little by little he
had yielded his manhood to his appetite for
strong drink, and his property had gradually
lessened. To retrieve his shattered fortunes
be had moved into the city, where he had
gambled desperately, and lost far oftener
than he had won. He had forged the names
of prominent men on notes, and, when in o
state of partial intoxication, he had assaulted
a fellow gambler and wounded him go severe,
ly that he died.
1t was a clear, common case of reckless
pursuit for wealth, followed by intemperance,
downfall and ruin.
He was convicted of two crimes, forgery
and manslaughter, and Judge Blake was
forced to perform very painful duty-that
of passing q sentence of imprisonment for
life on his old friend.
Sig months passed. Walter Henshaw had
lived within the narrow boundary of prison
walls. Worn out by previous dissipation, his
constitution soon rapidly failed under con-
fnement, and it was evident his life was
drawing to a close.
Judge Blake frequently visited him in his
cell, and his soul was filed with pity and
sympathy for the unfortunate man.
"Roger," said the prisoner one day, in q
hoarse, hollow voice, do you remember how
we used to talk about the future 2"
Perfectly" was the sad response.
"We took different roads, continued the
prisoner, with tears trickling down his cheek.
l sacrificed truth and honor to wealth, ana
it led me into intemperance and ruin. You
cultivated your mind, and you stand on the
proud eninence of your own achievements
while am lost Iost-Host I"
''Dear friend" said Judge Blake, taking
his hand and warmly pressing IL. "God 10
ever pitifsl aud mereiful Jesus came to
seek and save the lost. There is pardon and
hope for you"
n H. Ea -