News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-09-21
Personal Influence.
A Life Sketch.
BY sYLVANUs COBB, JR.

That man must be a very small speci-
men of the genus homo whose life does
not have more or less of influence upon
other lives. There are opportunities
open to all of us for welding such infu-
ence as we shall elect; and that man is
laying up treasures untold whose per-
sonal influence is always healthful-al-
ways for the right. I Witnessed an ex
ample of this kind of influence not long
since, which will give you.
Having occasion to spend a night at a
large hotel, located in one of our fash
ionable places of resort, in the course of
the evening sauntered into the billiard
room, thinking there to while away
little time before retiring. There were
several tables in the room, and all of
them were occupied. In one corner, at
the far end of the apartment, was a
pool-table, around which were gathered
half dozen young gentlemen-youths,
they should be called; for not one Of
them was over one-and-tweaty-en-
gagged in game of pool, and laughing
gaily as they knocked the balls about
Thither I made my way, and took seat
over against the table-a seat placed
there for he use of those who might
wish to witness the playing at that par
ticular table.
Two or three of the youths were good
players, as nearly as I could Judge,
The others were ." fair to middling," de-
pending, however, more on luck than
on the science of their play. They were
ell of the best society-evidently sons
of parents standing high in tine social
scale. One of them knew Il had been
told this by one who knew them well)
to be the son of prominent clergyman
in the place two were sons of wealthy
merchants, and another was a son of a
certainly as highly connected, and all
we're keenly bright, handsome, witty
and intelligent.
I quickly discovered that they were
playing for money-for money and for
the drink. "Now, boys, shall this be
threw out the numbers to the players.
Bah what do we want of a dry
game?' And the sentiment was echoed
by most of the others. So the game
was moist-moistened with six glasses
of hot Scotch whisky, made 4" light" of
course; for those boys would not drink
heavily. They had not yet contracted
the toper's appetite, but they were on
the road to it. The whisky was brought,
and then the money was staked, each
putting down dollar. When the game
had been finished, each player would
draw from the gross sum staked share
proportionate to the number of points
he had made; so that it very seldom
happened that a man lost all he had
placed upon the hazard.
So the game went on, and their Joy
BUSINESS seemed infectious. Certainly
for the time they were very happy. A
game was near its close when new man
appeared upon the scsne. L had met
him in the Office earlier in the evening,
when he had been pointed out to me by
the host as youth worthy of all hon
ors. His father had died a few years
previously, believing himself to be
wealthy, but upon settling up his af.
fairs shortly after his decease, it was
discovered that he had left not dollar
more than would be required to pay the
debts! Money due him would never be
paid; but the grand failure was in the
falling in pieces of great stock COM
pany of which he had been a silent
member. He had furnished thousands
of dollars, for which he had received
certificates of stock and now it was
known that the stock was utterly worth
lessl That had left this young SON
then only twenty years of age-now
twenty-two-had left him the only prop
and support of his mother and an in
valid sister.
And he had supported them. He had
not wanted for friends and when he
had proved, beyond doubt, that he
was bound to help himself, then others
feared not to lend their help; and now
he was carrying ON a mercantile bust
ness, with an elder partner, and was
doing nobly.
Hol-Harry! Harry dear old fell
lowl It's good for sore eyes to see you!
Come we're just finishing a game.
Well begin new one in moment.
Only dollar a corner You'll take a
cue, old fellow?"
Three or four of them were engaged
in this salutation, though one spoke as 1
have written.
Harry smiled pleasantly, but shook
bis head.
"No, boys, I didn't come in to play"
"What Of that :? Now you're here,
you can take just one game. Come,
that's good fellow 1 declare twill
seem good to have you with us. Just
a game, old boy Down with the spon-
dulix Here l''-he had touched the
electric bell knob" bring another
hot Scotch r.
"Not for me, said Harry, peremp-
torily, and with bit of extra color in
his face.
i-pshaw You won't play ?"
"No-I don't wish to.
"Nor you won't drink bumper with
us?'
"Jack, you are going too far. l
IL, I "a 1