Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-10-07
HIS LAST FRIEND.

Young HeZekiah Trope, salesman in
Smith, SDythe e. Co.'S great Wholesale
grocery establishment, was naturally as
nninteresting young man as couId be
found in New York, although that great
city is the most fully stocked magazine
of uninteresting young men that the
world can show.
In fact, he owed his place to the lack
of any of the qualities that make men
interesting, for the senior member OF
the firm, being tired of the proiitless
work Of training smart young men only
TO have them snapped up by his rivals
lst as they had fairly learned the busi-
ness, sent out TO his native town for
some honest boys who could be war
ranted TO obey orders, yet be too stupid
to ever specially please any one or to go
into business for themselves. Htzekiah
was one of the vouDg men sent in re-
spOnse to this demand, and he exactly
suited his employer.
And bis dullness was not restricted to
the hours and sifairs of business. At
the cheap boarding -house where he ate
and slept there lived two or three
young ladies-teachers and telegraph
operators-and as youpg Trope was hu-
man, he tried to make himself agreeable
to these damsels But he did not sue
ceed they were not av rse to accom-
panyiDg him to ice cream saloons or
theateTs, but as for sitting IN the board
ing paIlor for an evening and
listening to his stories about customers
at the store and people, as stupid as
himself, in his native village they
preferred to remain in their rooms and
talk to one another. Even the young
men of his acquaintance seldom endured
his society. except when they could trick
him into paying for beer and cigars,
AID as the youth has not yet changed
his home made impressions as to the
sizs Of dollar, these occasions seldom
occurred.
But suddenly there was a general
change Of demeanor toward n. zekiah
Trope, for a grasping old relative, a
country money-iepder, who had in the
course of business deprived Hezekiahs
father of his little farm and driven him
into his grave, went to lis own long
home after fit of reporse that caused
hini to make young Trope his sole heir.
AS Hezekiah made the most of the
few bits Of news which came to his
tongue, everyone soon learned OF his
good fortune, and each hearer became
his particular friend. Old Smith, his
employer, suggested that the young
man should put hundred thousand
dollars In the business, as silent part
ner; then HeZekiah Would have moth
ing to do but draw his share of the
profits, on which he could live like a
gentleman. Each of Smith, SOythe Il
Co. 3 clerks told their lucky associate,
IN strict confidence, of enterprises III
which plenty OF brains and little money
would bring enormous returns there
would be no trouble about getting the
brains If HtZ kiah would supply the
money. One OF them introduced Trope
to a stock broker who pretended always
TO know in advance Just what Wander
bilt, Gould and Keei were going TO do;
another put him in CONN uuicaiion with
a mining stock man who offered him a
controlling interest III any of twenty
mines that needed nothing but capital
TO make il a perfect bonapzl; and
another told him of place where he,
and he only, knew that OIL c1nld be
struck by any one who was not afraid of
the slight expense OF boring a well.
Hezekiah had sense enough TO stick
to his money rather than invest il care
lessiy, and the effect Of this was 10 make
al his business friends st, k more close
ly to him. Besides, he was Indolent
! enough not to care 10 GO into business
while he could live without work, so he
devoted his entire time TO enio. lug him
, self. As he cared neither ,r literature,
ort or music, he was obliged to take most
of his qualification through his lower
senses. He did not lack any assistance
! or instruction that he nee edei: his male
, acquainiances took great pans to infor M
him what were the most desirable liqnc Rs
aud the best brands of cigars, and they
unwearyiDgly AS, listed Lin to sample
whatever lie purchased.
The few ladies of his acquaintance de.
termined bless their disinteI e, ted
hearts that such an innocent, unso
phisticated fellow should not be led
astray and made to squander his money il
they could help if, 70 they began, each
III her own way, to save the Young man
from bad company and secure INN for
herself. One Of them gave him many
valuable suggestions about dress, and
then yolubiy admired whatever he pur.
chased and wore by her advice. An.
other, insisted that there was but one
way for q man to become graceful in
his movements, offered to teach him tc
dance, and somehow, in the course oi