The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1883-03-08

and generosity. Strange to say. the
last people to know ANYTHING about
his mode of life were the OIL
GERS in the institution where he was
employed He was always punctual
and diligent his accounts always
seemed straight, till at last the crash
came. BY one of those little things
which some men call accidents" and
Others ''providences, heavy defalca-
ton was found out, amounting to
thousands of dollars. A systematic
process of embezzlement had been 20
ing on for some years, carefully hid by
skillful fixing of figures, the loss falling
mainly on poor men, women and chill
dren who had entrusted their small
earnings to concern of unsta ned re-
pute. Swift punishment OF the guilty
followed on the discovery. and now the
offender lives where there are few pct-
ures on the walls of the room. where his
food is not prepared by famous cook,
nor his coat made by a fashionable
tailor. Such condition of things
cou very rarely happen in any other
country than ours. 1t would be barely
possible II England or France for sal
aried officer OF famous bank or any
other institution to advance his style of
living without provoking instant sus-
picion and inquiry. But here, where
whole communities engage in specula-
ton, in gambling operations of all sorts,
the sudden rise of man would natur-
ally be attributed to some sudden streak
of luck, some fortunate investment.
That, however, is not the chief point OF
the story to our mind.
1t is to be noted that the life of this
young man was, TO sight, all right. He
had no vicious habits, no vulgar tastes.
He loved everyth ng that was refined
and artistic, hated everything that was
low and vulgar Where others wasted
money on beer and billiards. he spent
it on books and bouquets. He had, as
many have, the tastes Of gentleman,
but also, like many, not the money to
crafty those tastes lawfully. So he
\ got it as he could. He was not able to
! say "Nom to the lust of the eye and
the pride of life, as they tempted him,
and so he fell And there are men all
around us who, with opportunities like
/ his, would be in danger of su ering n
like shameful fall. They admire pretty
things, and they buy them, not for
themselves, but for others. They hate
to appear mean or stingy,. If other
men provide flowers and candies and
carr ages. they feel that they must do
the same, even if it be to their own i'm
poverishment of pocket or principle
Not to be farther tedious, we tell them
that, if they are brave enough to imi-
tate the young man whom we spoke OF
in the beginning, they will win the es-
teem of every woman whose esteem is
worth having. The expensive gifts are
not expected by sensible girls. In nine
cases out OF ten a girl is embarrassed
rather than delighted. especially when
she can not help feeling that the money
spent to give her pleasure could be i'll
Afforded. 1t is simply delicacy, fear OF
hurting the giyers feelings, which
leaves many woman in the false posi-
ton of seem pg TO welcome such favors,
when she would give good deal to see
her way clear TO decline them. If q
few of our sensible girls, with tact
and bravery equal to their beauty,
would Just express their views about
the subject, there might be a few mad
men about town for some days, but
there would be fewer foolish ones in the
end. Providence ca. i. } Journal