The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-05-03
POVERTY'S TRIUMPH.
BY X. Y. 2.

>
moon, rising over the mountain-top,
threw its mellow light over the scene,
forming a beautiful picture; and the
music dIscoursed by the orchestra, min
gled with the merry voices which now
and then broke forth In hearty peal OF
laughter from some one of the merry
groups, were well calculated to "drlve
dull care away"
Glancing over the scene, we noticed,
at the further end of the piazza, Frank
Thorn and his cousin Edwin, comfort.
ably seated by themselves. Fine-loOk-
Ing young men, both were of wealthy
parentage, though in character much
different. The former was one of those
whOle-souled fellows we love 10 meet
and associate with; ever ready with a
smile or kind word for all, from the
greatest to the least of mankind; never
losing an opportunity to make friend,
no matter what the social standing of
that person might be.
Edwin, through generally good
natured, was pronounced by many as
too dignified, and particular in picking
out associates whom he considered on
his own level, and never considering
it worth while to notice the common
folks" as he called those who earned
their livelihood by industry.
81 was just thinking" said Frank, as
the orchestra ceased playing collection
of familiar airs, closing with. "Auld
Lang Syne"- thinking how easy it is
for some to forget old acquaintances.
Now, there is Mr.. Howard, the old gent
you see yonder sitting near the parlor
entrance, with two ladies -"
eyes," said Edwin, 81 know who
you mean. believe he is considered
one of the most wealthy Of the guests
here this season. But go on with your
remarks-beg your pardon for inter-
rupting."
"Well," continued Frank, 81 remem-
Der only six or eight years ago, that
man did not have money enough to buy
him a suit of clothes. He was porter
for the hotel in the village where we
lived. He and the man that keeps the
fruit stand down there next to the
bOat-house were intimate friends. Mr..
Howard one day became sole heir to
large estate in England, which he sold,
and took up his residence in New York,
hardly condesCending to bid his old
associates good-by. The man at the
fruit stand told me this morning that
Mr.. Howard had been here two weeks,
and though there had had been plenty
of opportunities, he had not yet even
recognized him."
81 think, Frank, it would be the
height of absurdity for that old fruit
vender to expect Mr.. Howard to asso-
ciate with him as Of old, especially
under his present circumstances"
"No-,no-Ed, you don't understand
me. don't pretend to say he
should associate with him. The fruit
vender, as you call him, would not ex-
pect that; but l do say it would not in
the least detract from Mr.. Howard's
qualities as gentleman to recognize
the man."
"Well, you know as well as l do, that
man, to sustain his high standing in
society, must be very careful, and for
that reason | would advise you, as a
friend, TO look out for yourself. Only
this morning met Miss May on the
gravel walk, and she spoke of your be-
ing out in the garden talking with the
gardener as if you were bosom friends.
Indeed, she said she really believed you
would be contented to have no other
company than that Of such people. l
told her | had been expecting every day
to see you bring old uncle Jack, the
boat house tender, in with you to dinner,
or to spend the evening"
"Thank you," replied Frank sarcas.
tlcally; 81 can't say that l feel degraded
In the least by the associations; further
more, am pleased to be able to bring
myself in contact with people who pos
sess little common sense, and that l
could not do were | to give myself up
to Miss May and her friends from the
South. And as for Uncle Jack, he is as
good. hearted an old man as ever stood
on two feet, and would rather spend
two hours at his little cottage down by
the lake than whole day with cer-
tain class of light-headed people who
are stopping here, who are regarded as
the cream of society. l tell you, Ed,
pity man whose brains run to his
pocket book; for if he wakes up some
morning and finds that he is poor
man, what will become of himp He
might as well endeavor to subslst on air
as to keep in high society without fat
pocket. book"
Edwin, feeling that he was getting
cornered in the argument, looked at his
watch and proposed that they drop the
subject for that evening and retire, 1t
then being nearly II o'clock. This they
did, and, bidding each other good night,
hastened to their rooms.
"Well," thought Edwin, as he locked
the door after him, 81 don't know but
Frank is right, after all. He always
seems to enjoy himself more than any
body | know; and | believe Uncle Jack
and those people do appreciate good
treatment after all, though | never
thought of 1t before. They seem ever