St. Paul daily globe., 1884-09-22
TALK.


elusive, but rather lonesome.
few years ago Mr.. James Gordon Ben
nett was very lonesome for all his wealth.
Society was really severe over his escapades
which were boisterous and low.
For time the young man was defiant and
kept to his Irregularities with brave reckless
ness of social opiniona. His capers and
wild antics reminded readers of the exploits
OF the once terrorizing ''Mohawk' clab in
London.
Only a young fellow with unlimited
money, and tough constitution could be a
leader in such depicting pastimes.
Perhaps Mr.. Bennett felt that he was max
ing an unenviable fool of himself without
the excuse that nature had so started him.
Possibly he realized that his money was val
ueless unless it gave him the recognition of
desirable and decisive society, and may be,
too, he was tired enough of the exciting and
exhausting routine to crave change, and a
rest.
Two years absence has worked the reforma-
ton which cancels the past, and, as the
clever and winsome prodigal can retnrn in
y
Der of titled and distinguished guests, why
of course society is edited, delighted and re-
ceptive.
The New York Worlds Newport cores
pondent informs us that for six months the
Herdtd'S owner has not tasted an intoxicant
and that he has agreed to forfeit $4,000 if
he lapses in the least during the period of
tuh oh ica in1x
tial and suficing pledge of esrnestness in
abstinence. Two years ago Mr.. Bennett
might have tried the experiment of the
Duke of Hamilton in hiring an opera house
and performers for his sole delectation,
and no one whose esteem he would have val
ued would have cared to divide the enter
tainment with him. And to-day the change
is magical, and one of those rare exhibitions
of virtue rewarded-of repentance glowingly
recognized, which rebound to the glory of
human nature when put to such tests as the
reformed Mr.. Bennett brings to bear upon
the Newport division of it.
The unrivalled lunch which he gave on
board the Namouna to the assembled gentil-
ity of Newport, was display of lavish wealth
which recalls the scenes of the Arabian
nights.
penitent with such touching revenues is
worth saving, and society has done it,quite
perceptibly to his qualification.
1t pays to be good when sinner and society
are benefited in such charmingly recipro-
cal way.
l wonder what the elder Bennett would
have thought of his sons career, could it
have been foreshown to him in those early
struggling years of his semi -olackmailing
journalisml
He earned the dislike and distrust of all
reputable humanity then, and he never quite
outlived the original obloquy when success
(of its dubious kind) and wealth came to
him.
But then he cared very little for the world IS
opinion so he made it acknowledge his
power. such as it was, and fear him.
He would have lived through no probation
for the intimate favor of society. Neither
would he have spent any money in pleasur-
ing it. The Heratd conducted upon his
theory was all he cared for, from first to last
while there was any work in him.
He could forgive his son almost any NAL
feasance in life rather than his neglect OF
newspaper business, and his fretfulhes:
when obliged to attend to it.
Perhaps the only marked heredity recog-
nizable in the younger Bennett is the strain
of lawlessness TO the social code herstofore
manifest, and likely to crop out at any
moment hereafter when he is bored with hi:
present quiescence among the hattering and
long withheld annuities.
In any event James Gordon Bennett will
always be a picturtsq, and interesting
figure, like some one OF the heroes in Ouida's
books whose limitless wealth, accomplish.
ments, fine looks and rare experiences, to-
gether with mysterious intimations of fas-
cinating wickedness, give them snch hold
upon the Imagination of the susceptible.
To me he would never look as interesting
as his father, were be the greatest social sue
cess Of the age, and vastly richer than he is
There was sinister spell of interest about
the old man. In his declining years l used
to see him helped into his coupe by his SER
want any morning he was well enough to &c
out, and the grey shawl drawn about the
shoulders and chest made the gaunt, large
| figure look bowed and feeble. / used tc
think it strange that a man who was so de-
spised of respectable opinion should be al
large at all-and, riding in his carriage, was
stranger yet. Now know better and see
that it is the regular way.
The Greeley's can walk and leave scarce
enough to bury them.
Ia
and on the otheri
wonder how il will be
1t is not so long ago since I was reading
an eloquent description of the wedding of 8
| journalist of remarkable power and attain
ments who used to be in his early manhood
such well spotted kleptOmaniac, that per.
sons who would have him visit them on
account of his brilliant versatility and charm
in conversation, took good care to put every
thing portable out of the way of their appro-
priating guest. And nowl
The Lord love US, what evolution is here
when noblemen and swell guests of two con.
| tinents are congregated to see his wedding
and every indication of wealth and distinc-
ton.
The whirligig of time brings surprises al
well as revenges.
Once in a while the sad verse of a poem
is the only refrain in the thoughts over some
of these things
They toll in the fields, the ninety and nine,
For the fruits OF the mother earth;
They dig and delve in the dusky mine,
And bring her hidden treasures forth;
And the wealth released By their sturdy blows
To the hand OF the one forever aows'
say there was a sinister spell Of interes