Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-29
Mr.. MAzzUMiS SUPPER.
H,rn-n for ne Rsqis,er.

hNaab blES@St" wv ssu
Written FOR ne REGISTER.
When Mr.. Mazzum wasforty years old be
gave 8 supper. The names of his four
guests does not matter, their titles will
suffice. The supper was given in his rich
apartments.
When the servants had withdrawn, Mr..
Nahum said: Gentlemen, fill your glasses
for 9 toast" The glasses filled, he said:
Here is to Happiness The glasses emp
tied, he asked, turning to one Of his guests,
Judge, what is happiness
Really, NAHUM" replied the Judge,
your question is somewhat of a poser,
simple as it ct first seems"
$50 l have found il"
"Why do You want this question, at once
so simple and so knotty, solyedY asked the
Doctor.
what do you live forY' was Mr.. MAJ
zum's counter question.
The Doctor opened his lips as though to
reply and then paused.
That seems to be another poser" said
the Governor, laughing, but speak out Doc
tor
II suppose 1 must say, | live for happi-
ness"
ayes, and so do ell men" replied Mr..
Mszzum. Hence if we csnnot define
what happiness is, We caunor tell what we
are living for.
what does Webster say about il, Pre-
fessorY' askedthe Governor.
He gives it as being an agreeable condi-
ton OF the soul arising from good OF any
kind
See, Nahum, how your dark questiol is
| dissipated before the beams of the dict IN.
airy" said the Governor.
as it2 Pray tell me what good isr'
l. Professor, tell him what good Is"
The Professor dryly replied, II csnnot re-
call all the definitions, but n Is the ad'
vancement Of happiness .,
Back to our starting point, and no Eiser,'
said Mr.. Mszzum.
III move that we hold a caucus" said the
Governor, "andthat each give his experience
on the subject. And, NAHUM, as you have
raised the question, l propose that you lead
off,"
Thus addressed he toysd with his wine
| glass a moment and then said: Il worked
hard for fifteen years to gain a fortune, for
/ saw happiness in q fortune. l gained sn
ample one. For 9 number of years have
had all that money can give and still ask:
What is happiness2 II is trite, 1t IS hack,
neyed, 10 say that money cannot purchase
happiness. But how is it to be obtained, OF
indeed is there snehs thing2 Icontess that
/ have felt more keen satisfaction in 8 profit.
Able DAYS business than in anything | ever
experienced. Yet l looked forward then to
wealth, eagerly. have that wealth and
have nothing to look forward to now"
"Matrimony'-begsn the Governor and
then checking himself, Il beg your par,
With a slight shrug Mr.. NAHUM replied
ut is q natural mistake. Ny wife and
have lived so long apart that people forget
| have one"
While talking Mr.. Mszzum had played
with his wine glass; he now looked at his
vuest. The Governor and the Professor
took a sip of wine. The Judge rechned IN
his easy chair, smoking and looking at the
ceiling. The Doctor only, looked at the
sneaker, and with g faint curiosity. After
some moments Of silence the Governor said
to the Judge. ut is your turn noW-ityou
wish to make confession
Without changing his position the Judge
removed the cigar from his mouth and ssld;
aThe question looked very simple at hrst,
INIT the more | think of it the more com
nlex It seems. / shall briefly sketch my
avn life and leave it without comment
Unlike Mr.. Mazzum / was, if / may so
sneak. born wealthy and have never known
the want of money. Yet, ike him, 1 have
sLways looked forward to the future tor my
greatest happiness, or rather for something
Z wanted that the present did not give me
In college / looked forward to hte IN q gen
aral vsy as something better than college
life: a. law student i thought the HE OF
successful LAWYER would be better. Ina
attained I looked up to my present position
and now ;,
TO the Supreme benehY' queried tn
Governor.
sWen admitingI do and gain that plsce
what then2 Shall / then be hike our friene
here; having gained ell l desired, sigh be
cause / End no happiness2 Ny past tell
me that / have always yearned Tor some
hing higher; will that cease when the top1l
reaebedT' The speaker resumed ms Cigar
ss thouvh he had nothing more to say. :,
Then said the Governor, Nov Doctorr
The Doctor laughed Il an an N. u; ane
NV work Il with the body and not with IN
soul. You should apply to the u: DIS
aThat Is evsdiDg the question.
81 know il" 49,, ~
"Have o solved the riddler,
81 do not rebel against my lot"
GAnosher evasion, Doctor. bias the iutur
nothing for youT
sNothing, unless . little lsrger pracno
and more knowledge
"Ars you hsppyf-fI may uss the teri
under discussion
81 am contented
ola that the sane thiugf' -.
The Doctor took . cigar n " e; tne
aAsr a few deliberate vhifs: No
aWenY' qusrisd his examiner:
"I have dissectsd many bodies IN my nm
and have found nothing bat dust TO aus.
When the human body becomes colo !
ssath whrre e the manf How can happ
ness Be. with such . pail hanging across y
near futureS'" -,
rested the Judge.
ura fheroY J.