The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-01-09
An Englishman's lnrratitude.

Two young Englishmen, who were friends,
resolved to seek their fortunes in America.
One, for the sake of Identification, we will call
"Hap', the other "Pluto." Hal resided with
his family in the suburbs of Liverpool, and
Pluto worked in small town in South Wales.
About fortnight prior to sailing Pluto arrived
in Liverpool. his mother came from London
on the next day, and Hal entertained both, as
his friends, free of charge. They made the
voyage together, and arrived in San Antonio
few months since with the intention of prac-
ticing as lawyers. But on arrival Pluto was
seized with the farming mania, and, without
any regard to the wishes or interests of Hal,
he took another partner, and he, his mother
and partner set off for Seguin. A days en-
quiry at Seguin was sufficient to show the abb
surdity of their farming scheme, and the two
men returned to San Antonio, leaving the
mother there. Pluto sought Hal, who had
taken three roomed house, and though this
was barely the necessary accommodation for
himself, his wife and three children, Hal
placed one room entirely at his friends dis
posal, not intending then to charge for the &C
commodation, and he provided the board for
the whole family, crediting Pluto with only a
moiety, which, having regard to his friends
neediness, was allowed to remain unsettled to
suit the friends convenience, although Halls
capital was limited and his earnings small.
Pluto's room was independent of the other
part of the house, and he often returned after
midnight. Sometimes he would call in to Hal
and say good night, but more frequently he
would pass to his room without any notice.
Knowing his peculiarly, Hal paid no atten-
ton to this and many other unsociabilities
on the part of Pluto. In December Halls
wife and youngest child was seized with fever,
and when they were recovering rest became
an absolute necessity. Arrangements were
therefore made to retire early, say nine, ten or
eleven for few evenings, when as it after
transpired, Pluto returned home somewhat
earlier and found the house closed and his
friends asleep, and he had no more considera-
ton for them than to attribute this to wilful
exclusion, although he could in these instances
have passed to his own room as he had done
previously of his own inclination. From this
cause he became offended, aud instead of ask
ing candidly for an explanation-if any were
needed-he "sulked" for several days before,
and after Christmas, skunk out another way to
avoid the family and passed Hal without re-
cognition. Hal, justly annoyed at this, wrote
his friend Pluto, asking the reason for his
conduct and telling him that if he could not be
sociable, he had better reside elsewhere. Pluto
replied stating the supposed exclusion as the
ground of his offence and abusing Hal, who
replied repudiating any intention of giving
offence. Notwithstanding this, Pluto, whose
circumstances had improved, came slyly day
or two after and removed his boxes without
saying a word to any one. This is not all, he
now abuses his position by endeavoring to
ALLEVIATE Halls friends, and to defame his char
acter.
The narrator of these facts, for the accuracy
of which we can con6dentialy vouch, does not
wish comment to be made upon, them, and
such are decidedly unnecessary as the stern
facts a'one are sufficient to condemn the in
gratitude Of Pluto.