The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-06-14

ever gambling may do. and it GER
tainly eventually leads to the devil,
it does not develop steadiness OF
nerve, pluck and quick decision under
difficulties. Haverly will now rouse
himself for another effort. and unless
his doom is already recorded on the
book of fate, he will be on top again.
As he said the other evening: "my
theatrical affairs are all right, if l
were only rid of those mining entan-
clements.
Thus it is with almost every sue
cessful man. He makes money in
one thing and spends if faster on
some wild scheme. Mr.. Henry Ward
Beecher has, and for many years has
had an income of at least $4,000 a
year, yet it is known to his intimates
that be has saved but little money.
His farming experience at Peekskill
cost him q great deal Of money and
run him into debt, and now he fritters
away his earning on rare books. pic
lures aud costly curiosities. William
Henry Hulbert's experience is SIM
liar one. He got $4,000 a year as
editor ofthe World, and made money
outside, yet they say that his llabili-
ties oltnumber his assets. l know
another gentleman who holds an in
flIential position in the newspaper
world. He is hard worker, and al
though a good liver is not ext"ava-
giant. He provides his family with
every comfort, as he can do well, as
he has a weekly income of about $500.
Yet he is always in debt. His pas
sion Is for race horses. He would
sooner see race than enjoy almost
any other pleasure ON the list, and
as he is q free better, and at the same
time unlucky, his money goes con-
stantly. A fashionable undertaken
slcwed me his books some time ago.
my business is worth about $40, 900
a year to me-" he said. THAT ought
to satisfy anybody. But unfortun-
ately have an idea that can run a
livery stable. l have thought SO at
least ten years, and on every 31st Of
December, when l balance my books,
/ am delighted that 1 have not actu-
ally lost. When l find that my un-
dertaking business has brought me
in enough to pay for the cost of the
livery stable luxury, am satisfied -
But why don't you give it up p
asked. Because l would only 20
into some other losing scheme, i sup.
pose, and thus 1 had better stick to
the old one.'' ....
William Ottmann, whose alleged
theft of $4,000 worth of treasury
notes, is again topic for the Wash
ington correspondents, has for two
years been head bartender at one of
the leading hotels up town. 1 saw
him only last week, and his face is
growing more pinched and set from
day to day. His hair is graying fast
and his gray eye has that set express
sion, which betokens that the man
has been brought to bay, and means
to fight it out. His is another case
of seeking to get rich too fast. He
had one of The most prosperous bar
rooms in Washington. 1t was little
box of a place, but it was beautifully
fitted up; the liquors were excellen,
and it was patronized by govern
ment officials and the best class Of
Washington male society. BILLY
kept fast horse and had his daugh
ter, q charming girl, educated ut 8
convent. Then he was seized Will
the desire of becoming rich. and be-
coming rich fast. The end of it was
that his life was blighted.
Talking of drinking places reminds
me that the St. James Hotel, fol-
many years under the management,
of Plunger Walton, was reopeneG
this week under the direction of Cap
tain William Conner, who gained
reputation both as Johh McCollough's
manager, and as the cwner of Gil
della, one of the best race mares We
have ever had in this country. HI
means to make his place, and partic
ularly the bar room, a rival to bott
the Hoffman and the Morton House
The former has become the recogniz
ed. rendezvous of racing men, and
others devoted to the highest sports
while the latter is the magnet t,
which all actors tend the momen
they leave the train.