The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-04-14
FEEDING ON THE HUsKs.
Fhe Bright scholar The Success sfui
Lasyyer-The State Senafor-'The
Rich lfan-Ehe Wretched Out-
cast.

long ago, writes IL CORES pondent of the
Lewiston, Me-, Journal seedy and brok-
en-doWn man slouehed into hotel, made
himself at home in an arm chair, and
picked UP newspaper. An Jagged citizen,
who observed him, remarked to me: E'Ihe
story of that mans fall is one Of the saddest
and most startling histories I ever met in
life or in felton, That man was born IN
this town. His father was wealthy farm
CT and land owner. By hard, stern labor
and elose economy, he amassed a large
property. He educated his son at Har-
ward college, from which he was gradual
ed with honor and high standing Fin his
class. The young man studied law with
one Of the most eminent practitioners in
Boston, and was admitted to the bar. He
possessed unusual talents. He was bril-
liant III cQnversaflau. was ready and
sharp debator and his culture was tho
rough. He established aa office in one of
the suburbs Of Boston. His father gave
him library worth $4,000. He acquired
a good practice. In the whirligig of time
he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate
and an ''Hon." was prefxed to his name.
He became one Of the prominent and most
promising young men in the Common
wealth, By-and-by his father died and
left him 100000. This completely upset
the young man. He was in such haste to
get and spend his money that he left his
office without stopping to lock the door, ,aud
abandoned his Office, 5nd furnlt ture to
Whomsoeyer might come. His creditors
seized his books and sold them to pay his
old debts. He set up grand establish
ment In this town and lived the most gilt
tering life on the Kennebec.
He had horses, carriages, dogs and SER
wants. He rolled in INJURY. His voice
was potent i'll society and politics. His
fortune was invested chiefly in real estate.
He was soon obliged to mortgage some of
his property. It seemed as if he could not
waste his riches rapidly enough. He
gambled and drank heavily. When the
mortgages became due, he paid no atten-
tion to them and they were foreclosed
One by one his houses, blocks and lots
slipped recklessly out of his hands. BE
pursued thesame mad course. Night after
night he allowed himself to be tieeced by
gamblers; and day after day he stupefled
his s~nses with liquor. At length the old
homestead was sold under the hammer.
The few resources that remained speedily
melted away. His old friends forsook
him. His wife had died and his two sons
had left the scene Of their fathers ruin
and disgrace. For the past six or seven
years he has been what you see HIM An
outeast. An old friend fur rnished hin
with quarters in an attic and fed him for {;
while. He became so miserable that il
was impossible to bear his presence, ant
he was set a-drift on the world. One
winter he slept in the corner Of an engine
house where a fire was kept. For severa
months he was known to fling himself
| down on heap Of rags in deserted build
| ing on one of the wsaarves. The building
has burned. Where he now sleeps is /.
mystery. The night Watchm an have en-
deayored to track him, but he has success
fully eluded them. He hangs around th'
streets till d late hour at night and i'm
proves some opportunity when the nigh
watchmen are Oh their beats to steal into
hiding place, wherever it may be. Some
times an old friend gives him his dinner
| have seen him picking piece Of brea
Or q bit Of meat from pail of broken foot
destined for the pigs. He drags along
half-staryed existence, in this way.
suspect that he passes many night wit
an awful gnaWing in his stomach. He
clad in odds and ends of clothing. doul
if he oWnes whole shirt. Every cent G
his $50, 900 has flown. He earns nothing
He refuses to ask for aid from the tow
and is too proud to soil his hands by worl
Many of his old companions look upon hil
J with pity and sorrow, and would help hil
he manifested the least disposition
help himself. His sons do mot come nes
him. A short time ago the ladies made
purse and presented it to him, with the Ill
derstanding that he should open a iaW-o
fee, furnish it, mend his ways and el
deayor to do a little basiness. He aecepte
the money and it went the old way. Ell
lpride and assumption displeased his be
friends. One day last winter one Of OIL
+, leading citizens noticed the poor fello
r had no oyercoat' The good Samaritan h;
s one of his coats repaired, and it made
T comfortable garment. From motives
Y deiicacy, he asked mutual friend to pr
4 sent the coat to the man before you. III
Y friend called the shiyering fellow into
4 hall and gave him the coat. He disdai
q fully TUNED on his heel and refused Il
= charity with an oath. The coat was allo,
il ed 70 remain in the hall. That very day
{ disappeared, and it was afterwards seen
the fellows b TEX. It il no wonder SUI
G treatment cools the hand OF charity. t
Q has grown thin and saloW, and is rapid
nearing the gulf at the bottom Of the hi
q IF he ever suffers areeo!lection of the p:
!. or fear for the future to give him pan
he does not speak oft. He wnnders arou
It town in the same independent mann
4 that characterized his flush days. lie dc
y not realize that in his unkept and uncles