Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-01-01
LIVES OF OUR LORDS.
The Real Reason Why Stewards Marble
Mansion Was So Long Vacant

The Real Reason Why Stewards Marble
Mansion Was So Long Vacant
Original
A T. Stewart awoke one bright sprinf
morning. After short prayer he rose sn6
dressed himself with more than his usRa
dispatch. He then drew up the curtain o.
his window and looked out at the huge mar
bic palace which had just been finished al
the corner uf nlrty- fourth street and Fifth
avenue
As he stood looking at the gorgeous dwell
ing which he intended to make his home the
next day, three ideas impressed his min6
with increasing intensity.
He thought Of the marble contractor whom
his own close figuring had driven to suicide
Pshswl it was but the fortune of war. h,
dismissed the thought with a shrug of his
shoulders
The second mental picture was more per
sistent 1t hsdlong been his august custom
on entering his store on rainy day, to lear
against the nearest pillar, and lift bis foct il
silence This was the signal fer a fierce
competition between his partners and EN-
-ployes for the privilege Of taking off hi
lordship's rubbers The day before it had sc
happened that a western newcomer had
been first on the spot Instead, however, OF
deity removing the dripping rubber, the
novice had jerked his masters heel higher
than his head and seated him on a more So
cure but less dignifed foundation than G
single foot. The deep frown upon Stewart
brow augured Ill for the uncouth barbarian
should be ever fall into his former employ
er's power.
But this thought was driven away by &
third far more annoying. The best of the
girls who ran his heavier sewing machine.
had been offered 81 week higher wages by
another firm.
''The ingrater' he muttered ''To try anc
blackmal me out of two dollars e week Sh,
must 90. The house is bleeding at every
pora."
But the sight Of his marble palace glitter
ing in the morning sunlight drew even tht
thorn from his memory, and he gave fre,
scope to his joyous anticipstions. His keeI
mind knew the effect of marble and money
on mems imaginations, and he already saw
his palace the Mecca of the aristocrats of tn,
whole country. In happy reverie he wen
down stairs, breakfasted and drove to church
His day-dream was rudely broken by hi
cleryman's text
''But God said unto him, Thou fool, thi
night thy soul shall be required of thee; ther
whose shall these things be which thou hast
providedf"
The great merchant fixed his eyes upon
the preacher, who was an orator of no NEAR
ability. The man of God painted the stat
of the rich man, who farsd delieately every
day and whose only care at length grew te
be the question what 70 do with his over.
flowing wealth.
"And he said, This will do; will pull
down my barns and build greater. And
will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much
goods laid up for many years; take thin,
sase, eat, drink and be merry.'n
But God said unto him: ''Thou fool, this
tight thy soul shall be required of theen
Stewart trembled: be was seizsd with a su
perstitious presentiment that the day he went
to live in his palace would be his last day or
earth. He forgaye the sewing machine girl
and in that same hour began to think ou
those great schemes of philanthropy, tha
after his death were frustrated by his e1
ecutors. This was the real reason why
Stewards palace remained so long vacant
WILLIAM WAsHBURN.
NEW YORK, Dec. "a