The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-27
Who is to Blame.

Scarcely day passes that those who read
the papers do not find the record Of some
poor fellow having put an end to his exis-
tence, often leaving no reason for the IN
timely deed. And who is to blame for it !
Who is responsible that this or chat man
finds our beautiful world SO dark and gloomy
that he is driven to do the most cowardly
act known to mankind?D Itmay be an easy
matter to lay it all at the door of the poor
wretch himself-and doubtless he must rem
der an account Of the murder-but there are
others, too, who have a share in this trans
action there are others who must answer
the question, ''Where is thy brother?'' -
We speak of this world as being beautiful,
and SO it is; but how about tue people in it?
Are they always beautiful ? Reader, how
was it with you to day |? Did you meet your
friends with smiles and kind words, making
their hearts happier for having seen you
Or did you frown on all and, when you
met that poor miserable fellow with haggard
countenance and downcast eyes, did you
look far above his head, and with proud dis
dain pass him unnoticed? If so, you did
only what thousands do every day, but still
you are not the less to blame. ''''-'' ''''-'
Go back to that man you considered un-
worthy of notice, although you knew him
we'll. Now look at him closely as we draw
aside the curtain of life. He started forth
in the world with vigorous frame, with high
aims, noble aspirations and a warm heart.
Perfectly honest himself, he also believed
others to be the same. As he entered the
busy marts of trade he soon found there
we're many who eagerly watched for oppor-
tunlty to defraud him, not only of his money
but bis business reputation, and even of his
private character. Generous to o fault, yet
exceedingly sensitive, he fergaye his enemies
freely, but was often bitterly wounded by
his friends. He met like good soldier the
rude shocks Of fortune, but the unkind word,
the naughty look of one whose esteem he
coveted stung his soul like the barbed arrow
the quivering flesh. ........ ..... l.,.s. So.
Well, misfortunes thickened about him
and while he earnestly sought path out Of
his difficulties, what did he fnd?. The SYM
pathy, the help of his fellows? Far from
it; Oh the contrary, he was treated with
GOODNESS everywhere, and soon the brightest
sunshine only served to make the cloud
which shrouded his pathway the more dark
and impenetrable. 0a ....4..s, ,....4
When you passed him to-day he was long
ing for one cheering ray of light, one loving
smile to kindle courage in his .despairing
heart, Had you given it, who knows but it
had impaired new life and brought more
hopeful feeling? But alas the look of scorn
where smiles were sought drove reason from
her throne, and an hour later the poor NOR
tai who could not laugh at your idiosyncra-
sizes and snap his fingers at a cruel world
is cold and lifeless with bullet in his brain.
All, reader, the above is not all fancy.
The writer once knew almost precisely such
case. undetermined man in many re-
spects made serious mistake in business,
and, with the harsh taunts of a loved one
ringing in his ears, took his own life. Vain
indeed the agony of one who would have
gladly died for him. Her sorrow could not
restore the dead. We may reason with our
selves that we are not to blame for our treat
ment OF our fellow-men, but He who judges
the suicide will also Judge us, and His judg-
ment is infallible. l-.-'