The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1877-10-18

me,
eWhenl that les p Poor
ql l|la eil.l
Iget into college.
eve have health and energy
that's capital. I am willing to work
hard to obtain an education"
81 mean to be rich," exclaimed
Walter, eagerly "I'll have money
somehow. Money controls the world.
1t gives position and influence; it
covers defects Of character, and buys
friends and favor"
"There is far greater power in a
cultured mind" returned Roger, ear
nestly. "There is Joseph Morris,
worth over a million of dollars, and
he is not tenth part as much re-
spected as our minister, Mr. Harold,
who has not a thousand; but he has
a fine mind and noble heart, which
makes him loved and honored."
"Well, you may fill up your head,
Roger, with Latin and Greek and
science, and I'll find a way to fill my
pocket-book. Time will show which
is isthewisest."
This conversation was held long,
long ago, as the boys walked home
from school one bright summer after
noon. Despite their great dissimi-
larity of temperament and character,
they were warmly attached, and
nothing had ever occurred to disturb
the harmony of their friendship.
Many years passed. There is a
conquering power in a brave spirit.
Roger Blake, stimulated by lofty as
pirations, had battled desperately
with poverty and had overcome ev-
cry obstacle in his path Higher,
higher, higher he had climbed.
From a close student he became a
brilliant lawyer and a wise and no
ted judge. He was a man of un-
swerving integrity, a strong advO'
cate of temperance and leader Of
every reformatory movement.
One day an important criminal
case was brought into court. The
defendant was man of fine bearing,
a little past the meridian of life.
His strongly marked features evinc-
ed much native ability, but bore the
unmistakable stamp of inebriation.
He was accused of the double crime
of forgery and manslaughter.
When his name "Walter Henshaw,
was read i'll court, Judge Blake CLAN
ced towards the prisoner Their eyes
met, and surprise and recognition
was visible in each. Twenty years
had passed since they parted, and
their lives had undergone a revolu-
tion. Walter 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 mind went back through the
long vista of departed years to the
time when they fished and hunted
and gathered berries and nuts tOgeth-
er. He had established himself in a
great city and made name. Where
had Walter been these intervening
years? There was a great gulf be-
tween them. What had caused it,
AS the trial progressed, much i'm.
portant information was olicted from
the witnesses. Walter Henshaw
had early begun disgraceful career.
He had resorted to artlfce, dissimu.
lation and fraud to obtain money.
He had made many thousand dollars
by q fortunate speculation, But lit.
tic by little he had yielded his man
hood to his appetite for strong drink,
and his property had gradually less
ened. To retrieve his shattered for
tunes, he had moved into the city,
where he had gambled desperately,
and lost far oftoner than he had won,
Ho had forged the names of promi'
nent men on notes, and, when in
state of partial intoxication ho had
assaulted q fellow gambler aud
wounded him so severely that he
died,
II was clear, common case Of
reckless pursuit. for wealth, followed
by intcmporance, downfall and ruin.
He was convicted Of two crimes
forgery and manslaughter, and Judge
/