Connecticut western news., 1878-05-16

lty. But she came to me under the false idea that had but to put my hand in my pocket or write a check upon the bank, and To thousand dollars were forthcoming. And because I did not do this, she believed me unfeeling, selfish, and turned from mo mortified, disap- pointed and despairing.
 felt sad for weeks after this painful interview. On the very next morning I received a letter from an artist, in which he spoke of the extremity of his circum- stances, and begged me to purchase 8 couple of pictures. called at his rooms, for could not resist his appeal. The pictures did not strike me as possessing much artistic value.
 "What do you ask for them ?" in- quired.
 "I refused hundred dollars for the pair. But am compelled to part with them now, and, you shall have them for eighty.
 l had many other uses for eighty dol lars, and therefore, shook my head. But, as he looked disappointed, I offered to take one of the pictures at forty dol lars. To this he agreed. I paid the money, and the picture was sent home. some days afterwards, I was showing it to friend.
 "What did you pay for it p he asked.
 Forty dollars" replied. The friend smiled strangely. Whats the matter ?" said I. He offered 1t to me for twenty five" "That pieture?'
 "Yes."
 He asked me eighty for this and an- other, and said he had refused hundred for the pa1r."
 "Though he lied. He thought, as you were we'll off, that he must ask you a good stiff price, or you wouldn't buy"
 "The scoundrel P
 "He got ahead of you, certainly"
 But it's the last time," said I. an- grilY.
 And so things went on. Scarcely day passed in which my fame as veal thy citizen did not subject me to some kind of experiment from people in want of money. If I employed @ porter for any service and asked what was to pay, after the work was done, ten chances to one that he didn't touch his hat and reply
 Anything that you please, sir, in the hope that l.. being rich man, would be ashamed to offer him less than about four times his regular price. Poor peo- pie in abundance called upon me for aid and all sorts of application to give or lend money met me at every turn. And when I, in self-defence, begged off as politely as possible, hints gentle or broad, according to the charG cters or feelings of those who came, touching the hardening and perverting influence of wealth were thrown out for my especial edifcation.
 And still the annoyance continues. Nobody but myself doubts the fact that am worth from seventy to hundred thousand dollars, and I am, therefore, considered allowable game for all who are too idle or prodigal to succeed in the world or as Natures almoner to all who are suffering from misfortunes.
 Soon after the publication to which I have alluded was foisted upon our com munity as Q veritable document, found myself a secular dignitary Tn the church militant. Previously l had beeh only a pew-holder, and an unambitious attend ant upon the Sabbath ministrations of the Rev. MT. -. But new field suddenly opened before me. was 9 man of weight and influence, and must be used for what was worth. It is no joke, can assure the reader, when tell them that the way my pocket suffered
 was truly alarming. ! don't know, but
 I have seriously thought, sometimes, that if hadn't kicked loose from my
 dignity, I would have been gazetted as 0 bankrupt long before this time.
 Soon after sending in my resignation
 as vestryman or deacon, will not say which, met the Rev. MT. -, and the way he talked to me about the earth
 being the "Lord's and the fitness there of ;" about our having "the poor al ways with us;" about the duties O. charity, and the laying up of treasure il heaven, made me ashamed to go tt
 church for month to come. |" really Y, began to fear that was doomed man and that the reputation of being { wealthy citizen was going to sink m : into everlasting perdltion. But an :; getting over that feeling now. My casl 7 book, ledger, and bill book set me righ
 again and can button up my coat ant ], draw my purse strings, when guided b,
 the dictates of my own judgment, with
 out a fear of the threatened final conse t quences before my eyes. Still, an the subject of perpetual annoyance fror all sorts of people, who will persist i Il believing that l am made of money an
 many of these approach me in such @ way as to put it almost entirely out c a my power to say "no." They com o with appeals for small amounts, as loans
 donations to particular charities, or a e the price of articles that do not want Il but which cannot well refuse to take IS I am sure that, since have obtained m d present unenviable reputation, it hash IT cost me cent less than two thousand P in money given away, loaned never B. be returned, and in the purchase re things that I never would have though
 of buying.