The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-06-03
LIVES OF OUR LORDS.

The Real Reason Why Stewards Marble
Mansion Was So Long Vacant.
[OriginaII
A. 7. Stewart awoke one bright spring
morning. After a short prayer he rose and
dressed himself with more than his usual
dispatch. He then drew up the curtain Of
his window and looked out at the huge mar
BILE palace which had just been finished at
the corner of Thirty-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 mind
with increasing intensity.
He thought of the marble contractor whom
his own close figuring had driven to suicide.
PshawI it was but the fortune of war. He
dismissed the thought with a shrug of his
shoulders.
The second mental picture was more per-
sistent. 1t had long been his august custom,
on entering his store on a rainy day, to lean
against the nearest pillar, and lift his foot in
silence. This was the signal for a fierce
competition between his partners and EN-
pIoyes for the privilege of taking off his
Iordship's rubbers. The day before it had SO
happened that a western newcomer had
been first on the spot. Instead, however, Of
deity removing the dripping rubber, the
novice had isrl1ed his masters heel higher
than his head and seated him on a more Sc
cure but less dignifed foundation than a
single foot. The deep frown upon Stewards
brow augured i'll 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 machines
had been offered 50 week higher wages by
another firm.
'sThe ingrater' he muttered s'To try and
blackma1 me out of two dollars a week. She
must go. The house is bleeding at every
pore"
But the sight of his marble palace glitter
ing in the morning sunlight drew even this
thorn from his memory, and he gave free
scope to his joyous anticipations. His keen
mind knew the effect of marble and money
on mems imaginations, and he already saw
his palace the Mecca Of the aristocrats Of the
whole country. In happy reverie he went
down stairs, breakfasted and drove to church.
His day-dream was rudely broken by his
cleryman's text.
ssBut God said unto him, tThou /, oil, this
night thy soul shall be required Of lice; then
whose shall these things be which thou hast
providedP
The great merchant fixed his eyes upon
the preacher, who was an orator of no mean
ability The man Of God painted the state
of the rich man, who Jared delicatel every
day and whose only care at length grew to
be the question what to do with his over
flowing wealth
"And he said, This will I do; I 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 thine
ease eat drink and be merry"
But God said unto him: ''Thou fool, this
night thy soul shall be required of thee"
Stewart trembled: he was seized with su-
perstitious presentimentt that the day he went
70 live in his palace would be his last day on
earth. He forgave the sewing machine girl
and in that same hour began to think out
those great schemes of philanthropy, that
after his de- 1th were frustrated by his ex-
ecutors. This was the real reason why
Stewards palace remained so long vacant.
WILLIAM WASHBURN.
NJrSxxr