The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-01-18
MY Best Friend :!


MY Best Friend!
was twenty.one-the possessor O!
eighty thousand dollars in cash, and
owner of handsome residence on
one of the most stylish thoroughfares
of large city. No governor, no
guardian, no maiden aunt, no bache,
lor uncle, 10 object to my disposing OF
myself and means according to my
fancy.
She who gave me being had depart
ed from this world of change and sue
CT ssion CT, L could remember. Ny
remaining parent, epgrossed in mer-
chandise and bank stocks, had no time
10 spare i'm looking after his heir; con-
sequently was placed in the hands
of a nurse, and, as soon as my age
would permit, was bundled off to an
institution to be "crsmined."
But before my majority received a
telegram to hasten home, my father
having been prestraied by an attack
of apoplexy which his medical attend
ants pronounced fatal. l reached
there just in time to see him breati e
his last. Having received no special
marks of affection from him, and hav-
ing seen him only during the, 10 me,
exciting intervals of vacations, my
days of mourning were soon over
L returned to college by direction OF
my guardian, finished my course Of
studies, and, as stated above, had my
fortune, when 1 was twenty-one, at
my own disposal. a 5.,..
l had no idea of following the wake
of my father. / had a horror of bus
ness : business, in my mind, was asso
ciated only with care and anxiety. l
cherished recollection of the yearn-
ing had in youthful days for an ex-
hibitIon from my father of the ati'ec-
ton had seen Iavlshed on others OF
my own age. My memory was still
alive with the remein brance of how
Ihad run to his knee. longing to be
clasped In his arms. and had my heart
stung with a cold rcpulse. +.
"Why not enjoy life while 1 can 2"
was the mental cogitation, as l sat
alone in my room. "When yonth has
passed, and manhood is on the wane.
it will be time enough 10 clog indie
pendence with the encumbrances of
life.'' -
lifted the bank book from the table
before me, and looking over it again,
as if to make sure that it was all right
Yes, there were eighty thousand dol
lars placed to my credit.
joined a club. In closing my in
itiaiion speech, L rendered a cham
pagne supper to my companions
They were too polite, certainly, not to
do me the honor of accepting. AT
the supper was cheered and toasted,
cheered and toasted again, and was
pronounced merry good fellow.
Assuredly l must have fancy team
and give my friends now and then a
turn around the most popular drives.
Besides, must visit the course, and
stake on certain favorites" Also
engage in an occasional game of poke,
in the club. If I lost must not
vince, or be heard to utter any re.
grets.
All this did, and kept it up for a
year. Then my eyes were opened, ,but
not in the same manner quite as the
deacon's kittens-by knocking theil
brains out. II happened this wise.
met young lady with whom fcl
deeply in love; no young lady, wa!
sure, as surveyed myself in the glass
on the evening 1 determined to pro
pose, could resist my suit. A hand
some form, a reputation obtained
through my club of being great dea
wealthier than was, Gas if they didn'
know my fortune to a'dime) and ;
standing in society that any one nigh
envy, indeed, no sensible woman
would refuse such all alliance, was m,
comment.
But my vanity received might,
shock. l was refused, and so decidei
was the refusal that felt there wa
no hope. hastily lett the scene Q
my disappointment, went home, shu
myself up, walked the floor unit
morning-fOr l was desperately j
love, and even then was st home 1
no one. remained all day, notwitll
standing trot was to take place ths
afternoon, on which l had staked
= large amount. l eafed nothing abot
the result, and entertained some scr
: Gus thoughts of making my will
While meditating on the subject, IL
thought entered my mind that poss
bly, 1 might have a rival. 1 felt C,
riosity to see how he looked, aud fna
q ly concluded not to make my viii ye
The second forenoon l sauntere
forth. i displeYet negligent aspc
y and haggard countenance which CO.
q trasted sadly with my former scrup
. lous neatness and happy appearanc
r sawa number of my club associat,
,e but they seemed to avoid me, as tn
|~onld cross the atreet hefnra We M