Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-12-16
RETIRED.

1t was reported not many days ago that
Jay Gould had retired from the stock
market. Last Tuesday it was reported
that Vanderbilt had retlred-yes, God
sent his owA swift, sure messenger to
serve the summons of withdrawaI-and
there was NO buying of. His $500, 0O0.-
600 of wealth had no effect with this King
OF Kings, into whose presence he had
been summoned. In His presence costly
robes, nor stocks, nor silver. nor gold,
cannot avail, and William II. Vanderbilt
stands there as powerless, rs weak as
pauper's babe. The great stockholders
last articulate words were of stocks,
and with them upon his lips, he suddenly
fell away into the arms of Death.
A few short days ago, Vanderbilt was
one Of the great financial kings of the
earth-the greatest, it is said, of the
Americas. His word would have stood
with the world. A nation listened when
he spoke. To-day, is there . man so poor
that he would change places with him?
change his rags for Vanderbllt's coffin
Vanderbilt had an annual income of
SIC. 600, 900. or about $4,000 = day. He
welded the power of wealth, and it was
mighty, but where is he to-day? And 50
we ponder, and ask ourselves, if, after all,
this struggle for wealth pays? The poor
man who goes about his honest daily toll,
who has enough to eat and enough to
wear, whose health is good, whose appe-
tite is good, whose sleep is sweet, peace
full and refreshing, is he not happier than
a Vanderbilt? And 80 again we say, does
it pay you, business man, to make the
struggle that many do make in their haste
to be rich? Does 1t pay to sacrifice
health. and many times conscience, and
principle. and friends, and peace, yes
and heaven1 How many, yes, how many,
in the struggle for wealth, sacrific every.
thing-everyth thing. How many cruelties
are practiced. how much suffering caused,
how many hearts made to bleed, how
many innocent opes have been tortured
through this selfish, heartless struggle fol
WEALTH. Do you think 1t pays to take the
! last bushel of wheat, the last span OF
horses, to take the last cow from your
more unfortunate neighber, even though
it be for an honest debt. Does 1t pay
when you remember that for the measure
! you mete it shall be measured to you
again1
The death of this great money king
with whom the poorest would not now
change places. should be lesson, 1t seems
to US. to the living, to think less Of wealth
to think more about doing good, to thinl
more about the kindnesses and humani
ties of life, more about helping ont
apother. more about making life more
worth the living.
Vanderbilt. stripped Of all his wealth.
stands utterly defenceless. in the presence
Of the ever living God, stands in the pres.
ence Of court where even one kind, ten
der. hnman, Chrlstlike act, outweighs hi.
whole $500, 600, 600; stands before cour
where dollars do not count, but where
| good deeds shine like stars in the firma
ment, not one forgotten or obscure. Lei
us heed this lesson at the beginning of thu
new year. In a few days, dear readers
we must each one Of US stand before THU
sam court. Then let US try more ear
nestly to do tho things here that will hell
US there. Let US try to lay up heavenly
treasure, to accumulate q wealth o.
good deeds, which will coun, on tn,
other side, and by so doing. we shall b.
much happier here, please God, and VIII
eternal life.