Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-04
LIVES OLE OUR LORDS.
The Real Reason Why Stewards Msrble
Mansion Was So Long Vacant.

Mansion Was So Long Vacant
AT. Stewart awoke one bright spring
morning, says New York correspondent
of the Louisville COurier-JOurndl, and
after a short prayer he rose and dressed
hims elf with more than his usual dis
patch. He then drew up the curtain of
his window and looked out at the huge
marble palace which had just been fin
ished at the corner of Thirty-fOurth street
and Fifth avenue.
As he stood looking at the gorgeous
dwelling. 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. Pshaw! it was but the for
tunes of war. He dismissed the thought
with a shrug of his shoulders.
The second mental picture was more
persistent. 1t had long been his august
custom, on entering his store on 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 employees for the priVi-
legs of taking of his lordship's rubbers.
The day before it had so happened that a
Western newcomer nd been first on the
sn"t instead, however, Of deity remoV--
inc the dripping rubber, the novice hau
ieTked his masters heel higher than his
head and seated him on lore secure
but less digniied foundation than a
single foot. The deep frOwn upon Stew
arts brow augured i'll for the uncOuth
barbarian should he ever fall INTO his
former employers power.
But this thought was driven away by
third far more annoying. The best OF the
girls who ran his heavier sewing ma
chimes had been offered s. week higher
wages by another firm.
The ingrate!' he muttered. $40 try
and blackmail me out of 81 week. She
must 90. The house is bleeding at every
point"
But the sight of his marble palace
glittering in the morning sunlight drew
even this thorn from his memory, and ne
gave free scope to his joyous anticipa-
lions. 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 clergyman's text.
but God said unto him, Thou fool,
1 this night thy soul shall be required of
/ thee; then whose shall these things be
| which thou hast prOYided?"
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 deli
cately every day and whose only care at
length grew to be the question what TO do
with his everflOwing wealth.
and he said, This will l do: l will
pull down my barns and build greater
And l 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 o.
thee"
Stewart trembled; he was seized with
superstitiOus presentiment that the day
he went to live in his palace would be his
last day on earth. He fOrgave the sew
ing-machine girl, ard in that same houl
began To think out those great schemes o
philanthropy, that after his death were
frustrated by his executors. This wa:
the real reason why Stewards palace
remained so long vacant.