Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-19
The Price Of a Fortune.

"Five thousand dollars more, and then
shall be ready for the country. In no other
way could have made fortune so easily
and a fortune | must have. Bringing up
children is expensive business these days.
It will take more money to educate my two
than it did father to bring up ten and give
us what he called fair start in the world.
Another year and my wife shall have things
her own way"
The man who thus soliloquized replaced a
package Of papers in the safe before him,
closing it securely, just as the door Of his
private Office was opened by clerk, who
said:
"A lady wishes 10 see you"
"Show her in," was replied.
The person admitted was lady. There
was no mistaking that fact, although she
was plainly dressed in garments of coarse
material.
"Mrs. Langley" said the gentleman as he
rose to receive her, while blush of deepest
crimson overspread his face, "please be
seated"
"Thank you have come with request
Will you listen ?"
Certainly. never refuse to listen to
lady,"
Mrs. Langley took the proffered chair,
and after some hesitation remarked:
al have come here as a last resort /
wish that you would promise me that you
will never allow my son to taste another
drop of intoxicating drink on your premises.
don't think he has gone so low that he
will be seen in common drinking saloon ;
but know he comes here. l have been
told that you had pleasant rooms handsomely
furnished for such as he"
al have some pleasant rooms, and young
men who please to do so are at liberty to
spend an hour or longer there" replied Mr.
Gregg coldly, adding: al think | have
hardly refuse him the privilege accorded
to close my doors upon him."
"That is what wish you to do"
"Would it not be better for you to exert
your influence to prevent his coming here
If my doors stand open for one they must
stand open for all. Much as would like
to oblige you, cannot make an exception
against your son."
"Is your decision final, Mr.. Gregg p
at must be, Mrs. Langley. l wish for
your sake Herbert would never come here
again, but cannot lay my commands upon
him."
MAY God forgive you and deal with you,
not according to your sin, but according to
his great mercy My son is as dear to me
as yours can be to you"
The fortune he had desired was in his
possession, yet still he delayed changing his
business.
While debating the subject he was startled
TO find that his boy was initiating the hab-
its of other boys. He more than suspected
that a taste for beer had been already ac-
quired; but he would set that all right
when once he could do so without Grimm
ating himself. He fancied that he had
managed TO conceal his own personal habits,
w tho. these could not be quoted against
him.
In this, however, as in other conclusions
he was mistaken. He believed that he had
fully counted the cost of his fortune but
time might invest it with different value
from that he had placed upon it.
The evening preceding the day when he
was to transfer to another all right and title
to merchandise and fixtures contained in
the store he had so long occupied was marked
by tragic event not soon to be forgotten.
| Herbert Langley and his friends occupied
their favorite room. AS they drank in theil
usual fashion they became excited, so in
creasing their potations until they lost al
| scil-Coutioi. ucy sang, oucy Shou1cu, AM
at last some angry words were uttered which
called forth an angry retort. Present..
blows were exchanged, and in the confusion
young Langley was thrown TO the floor.
A clerk of the. establishment coming il
presently to quiet the confusion attempted
to raise him, when was found TO be helpless
He had been struck with chair on tn
temple, and afterwards injured by tramplinl
feet. He was carried home to his widowed
mother, and the next day he died.
The affair produced a profound sensation
Some arrests were made, and the pleasan
rooms became unenviably notorious. Tn,
proposed purchaser of Mr.. Gregg's propert,
declined further negotiations, and it wa
not until after some months that he effecte,
a sale at what he considered heavy loss.
He invested in desirable real estate, upol
which he resided. He held his son unde
close watch, but he found that even thel
his wishes and commands were disregarded
Other men were making fortunes by pander
ing to the appetites of their customers, AM
they were not likely to close their door
upon young man because that man wa
his son.
When, ten years later, his only son wa
killed in drunken brawl he knew that hi
sin had found him out. He had secured
fortune, but for it he had paid so fearful
price that it was hateful to him.
He had gained the world, while others
how many he knew not-had lost thei
souls because of him.-Aduocate.