The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-02-01

were angry; but not one, certainly, felt
the least respect either for the maxim or
the maxim iver. Alfred, for whose
especial benefit the seal had been broken.
did not affect to conceal his contempt.
As soon as the company had departed,
ana he was alone. he soiloQuized thus
WELL this is pleasant, curse mel The
old fellow must not only bore me with
his musty maxim, but render me ridicu-
lous before my friends! As for the fifty
thousand pounds, I'm so far obliged to
MN, but | want none ,of his narrow
minded posthumous advice how to use it
and conduct myself in the world. These
slow-goers are always so ready with their
counsel-and deal more ready than wei
come! | can take care of myself, or Pm
mistaken"
The first thing he did, to show that he
could take care of himself, was to sell
the old house and the old furniture. and
take residence III more fashionable
situation, which he Immediately set about
furnishing. But here one of his peculi-
arlties came into operation. In spite of
being foolishly cXtravagant, he had a
great notion of bargaining: so he went
to cheap establishment and purchased
his furniture, and proudly did he chuckle
when he saw the shining mahogany, the
brilliant carpets, the resplendent gliding,
and thought how little money he had
given in return for these comforts and
Injuries. 1t was not long however, be-
fore the shining mahogany went to pieces,
the brilliant carpets faded and wore out,
and the Respondent gliding peeled off.
"Humph" exclaimed Alfred, musing;
"dad was right, certainly, here. As far
as mere buying and selling went he knew
something, though he was an ignoramus
on other points. Yes, l suppose, in
trade, the cheapest things are the dearest
you must pay the best price if you
want the best article
He now gave himself up entirely to
the society of his somewhat loose, but
well-born, associates. Notoriety was the
object of his existence. lie wished to
rank among the eccentric roues of the
day, and become celebrated for breaking
lamps, beating policemen, driving over
old women, purloining knockers, and in
sultlng street passengers; but either he
had less spirit or more sense than the
rest-for in drunkenness, folly, brutality
and vice, they were greatly beyond him.
While their names were known far and
wide, and their deeds were fondly imi-
tated, he was known only as third rate
genius, and more an imitator himself
than an original worthy of imitation. He
retired from the field considerably worse
IN pocket and constitution Alas 1"
said he, " there was more in that fantas-
tic maxim than l suspected. 1t does not
apply to trade only. | was willing to
purchase notoricty, and find, unhappily,
that the first qualify of that commodity
costs more than | can afford. 1t was
foolish to wish to obtain it; but more
foolish to expect to obtain it cheaply.
Yes; you must pay the best price if you
want the best article
He had now hidden farewell to his I'M
worthy companions, and resolved to pur-
sue better path. Love entirely occu-
pied his thoughts lie selected beauti-
full, accomplished and amiable girl, and
he could induce her to become
his wife, happiness would be his portion
for ever. But she was not easily won.
There were points in his conduct which
she wished to see altered before she
could prefer him to all others. These
he was not exactly inclined
to make, and there was Mary Tompkins.
a very pretty girl, who was quite ready
to have him just as he was. lie married
Mary Tompkins. Six months after mar
riagc she ran of with Ensign Jenkins.
"Ahl' sighed Alfred, "what an error
did | commit | lost charming creature
from idcness and pride. In proportion
to the pain of acquisition, so would have
been the pleasure OF possession. You
must pay the best price if you want the
best article
lie had arrived at the time of life when
love generally yields to ambition. AL
fred determined to become great-and
great as philosopher. He would eX-
anime into the nature of man and the
of society, and endcavor to
leave the world wiser and better than he
found it. He read-he meditated-he
wrote-he published. But the course of
his reading and meditation was very
prudcntly and daintily in accordance
with poNlar notions; whence it hap
poned that the books he wrote and pub
lishcd were tritc and common place. He
gained no reputation rs philosopher,
Dut ne lost none as man. Truth was
not in his compositions, and consequently
defamation and abuse were not in the
criticisms on them.
- see, clearly" said he, "that philo-
sophie fame and the worlds love are in
with each other. Every man
who greatly benefits his fellow creatures
is hated and despised, while living by the
majority of those he serves. The i'm
morality of an innovator is purchased
dearly indeed. You must pay the best
price if you want the best article" His
hair was by this time beginning to grow
gray, and the cold gentlemanly vice"
stirred him exceedingly. 81 will make
exclaimed he. "True, | have
already some thousands; but IA wise man
should consider these merely as seed to
produce plentiful crop. am not young
enough to enter trade regularly, but
will speculate. That is the way to make
a fortune ina few years
Accordingly he bought shares in joint
stock companies, and became Il traiiickcr