St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-03-22


why 10 we introduce discords in
musicr'
."Nonsense! I'll name you . thou
sand pieces famous compositions =
without discord," Eugene answered.
The fact is, the world doesn't believe
what it processes
.'Why don't you advocate crema-
tione" l rctorted. .If your theory is
correct, burn 'em all up; burn the
whole world and carry twenty genera
tions in q watch-charm."
A friend called upon Eugene F. and
solicited his counsel and services in a
business matter. 1t was responsible
trust. The friend was going abroad to
remain for years, perhaps permanently.
He owned, jointly with his sister, q
piece of property near the great Oil
Bet. 1t might be worthless, and it
might prove very valuable. What the
friend required was honest dealing.
For himself he did not care. He had
great wealth, but his invalid sister was
entitled to all that could be realized
from her half of the land. 1t was for
Eugene FIT to discover the value of the
land and to exercise his judgment in
disposing of it. He undertook the task
with ill-concealed repugnance. He dis
liked travelling: had horror of I'M
aired beds and pot-luck. He went to
the oil regions in bad humor. When
he returned, great change was noticed
i'll his manner. A month had worked
wonders.
just think of it, he said to me,
when he dropped in to shake hands in
his CHEEKY, hearty way. 81 thought
those six hundred acres were worth
about five dollars an acre. At the end
of week was offered sixteen thou.
sand dollars; in another week it jumped
up to Il hundred thousand, and finally
| let it go for four hundred thousand,
half cash. balance in three MONTHS
1t struck us all as surprising streak
of luck. and everybody put it that way.
hnt Eugene, who was II convert to the
Belt theory. held it was simply u
matter of mana cement and business ex-
perience and Sagacity. He asserted
there was abundance of oil territory
undeveloped, and his friends were sur
prised beyond expression when he an
nounced his resolve to demonstrate the
of his conclusions. He I'M
dertook the task of developing. and.
like many another who started out on
the BELT" theory, he ended wildcat
ting In other words. he assumed ex-
traord;nar, risks. His efforts were at
tended wit carving success. He expe-
rienced do., - light bad luck. and rare
good fortuas, too.
In year-less time-his c,: friends
scarcely knew Eugene F.. He was
energetic, confident. positive and de-
cisive: a very fair specimen of a thor
oEgh-eoing American business man.
His ventures proved profitable in the
main, and then, oil at once, accident
tiled his pockets one night when he
slept. He was the possessor of half q
million. He was in the middle of the
surrent, prominent craft IN the stream
that allured thousands, fioated a frac-
ZION into safe harbor, and stranded the
great majority.
seldom met Eugene now. We were
in different channels. Chance brought
rs face to face one day in front of the
Era Office.
''How are you. Ned? Had dinner?
Come with me. want company. No
refusal now"
make it tonight, at home, and I'll
be on hand.''
Il wish 1 could; but the truth is, l
am so seldom at home now-I don't
know when I've spent night, or rather
an evening, at home.'
And this was nv bookish friend who,
year ago. could not be induced to
leave his snug library, or coy living
room. where his wife and children were
his chief companions.
Half an hours conversation proved
to me that my friend-tEe man | had
respected and loved-was rs dead as
the Pharoahs. In his place I found a
man who seemed bundle of nerves.
He had lost the repose of my old
friend, and with it his grace. While it
was impossible for Eugene F. to be-
come either coarse or brnsque, his posi-
tive manner and tones, his decision.
gave him an angularity that was less
to be admired than his former ease and
urhanity.
Now you have made your pile, Eu-
gene, suppose you will be off to Europe
some of these days. Possibly we may
lose you altogether
He looked at me with undisguised
establishment. "What makes you say
that?'
..7aey say you are worth nearly a
Million
"See here-this is in confidence,
Ned they say great deal that ism
true. But in this instance they are not
far wrong. But why should quit on a
million? Have some more mushrooms.
This is the only place I can get decent
steak in town"
I've seen the time you would have
been content with a quarter of mill
ion.
Eyes; in the long ago. Do you
know, was q fool in those DAYS. Ma
ture never intended a man should be
content. He ought to be Just as eager
to make his tenth-yes. his hundredth
million for that matter-as his first.
For my part-but mind you don't let
your hive know it; l don't care to get
them after me-pye no intention OF
quitting till Eve made five millions"
You have only another step to take.
and you will establish your claim to all
the privileges enjoyed by sristocrats. :"
He laughed.
mo. am too sensible for that" he
replied; although. for that matter,
You know l always held nature had
made its divisions. There will be hew-
ers of wood and drawers of water as
long as grass grows or water runs"
81 meant there is danger that one day
you will look with contempt on a man
with less than ten thousand year.
Don't blame me. my boy" he re.
Piled, in patronizing manner imme.
diately resented, .'if I've set my peg for
five millions.
1--WE seen the time YOU were IS well
of. enjoyed the world. literature, art,