The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1888-05-02


Ignorant as the nick-tailed horses II
drives on glttering boulevards, or the
cats that furnish the feline intestiDes to
whose melodious vibrations, when agi-
tated by the capillary Judgements OF
the equine quadruped in the skillfu'
hands of the hddling man of sin, it
dances its idle life away, it constitutes
itself the patron-in-chief of literature,
science and art, and iudiscriminately
glorifies Oscar Wilde and Capel Beecher,
Langtry, Irving, Dixey, Bernhardt aud
BilIee Barlow, Garmoyle, Raphael and
Winnie Ream. With an appreciation of
uecktes and kid gloves, Strauss waltzes
and Mark Twain, IL settles the fate OF
dramas and OPENS, and makes and I'M
makes the Tyndalls and Huxleys, the
historians, poets, philosophers and edi'
tors of the age.
II this so-called society could be
| bought at ITS real value aud sold at its
own estimate of itelf, the net profits
would pay all the national debts in the
universe before tO-mOrrOw's sun went
down and leave surplus enough to en-
dow all the old maids in Christendom,
Oh the Burdett-Coutts plan, with bay
windows, gas, young husbands and
every modern improvement. There Is
brass enough in its cheeks to run all the
kettle -fOundries in creation for thous-
and years, and furnish Gabriel enough
of the leavings for trumpet, at whose
blast the heavens would roll away rs
scroll and Jacksoniau Democracy and
Jeffersonian simplicity come hustling
forth from their everlasting sepuchers
rs risky as the young ichthyosauruse
that Ben Butler and Susan b. Anthony,
Simon Cameron and Clara Louise KEEL
logg rode for saddle-ponies when they
went to school beneath the shadows Of
Ararat, before Methuselah was born.
The fact is that, as American alleged
great men reverse all the laws of optics
aud grow smaller the nearer you get to
them, much of what passes for society
among us loses lis charms as one grows
familiar with it, unless one is cut out OF
nature for it, in which case he Is cut
out from everything else. | have re-
Gently met here with conspicuous in-
slance of its absurd standards OF estima-
ton, in the case of young gentleman,
who is destined, If he wills 1t so, To
make his mark in the history OF the
country. He il of hi ia family standing
and connection, one of his brothers be-
ing famous doctor of divinity. lie
himself possesses brilliant talents, and
having sufficient personal puichritude
for man, and being blessed with an
ample fortune, re entered society with
everything in his favor. The doors of
every charmed circle swung open to
him. Managing mammas smiled ten
derby upon him, aud there was no pet
ted belle who did not show marked in
terest in all he did and said. lie was
one OF society's special pets and dar-
lings.
But presto, change! In SONG bold
speculation the cards went WI ng, and
ii few years ago his entire fortune wasJ
swept away; he found himself reduced
IN day to absolute perjury. Never did
summer butterflies vanish at the howl
ing of The first wintry blasts more
quck y than all his legions of society
friends. He found himself utterly de-
serted and alone in the world which
had only few hours before seemed
swarming with hls loving and devoted
retainers. All the lavish inequalities
ceased, and in a week OF two all men,
ton Of bis name had died away upon
lips that had been prodigal OF pledges
of undying regard.
He was nervy and brainy fellow,
and after the first stunning surprise at
the falsity of his trusted friends was
over he went to work with will that
was determined never to halt until he
had carved for himself far higher |
place than he had held before. He
studied law under the tuition of one
whose name and fame were national. |
For two years be labored night aud day |
without one cheering or encouraging |
word from his hosts of pretended socie-
ty friends, most Of whom had forgotten |
even his face.
Then came his hour Of triumph. He
conducted and won two great cases in
which human lives were at stake. The
trials were exciting aud dramatic. The
court rooms were damned. Vast au-
diences wept and cheered him. The
papers rang with praises of his genius,
his eloquence aud skill. Hlsname WAS
in evsrybody's mouth, and he was
overrun with business. And 10. his |
sweet society friends again remembered
him. Bouquets, notes, invitations to
dinners and suppers and receptions
poured IN upon him from people whose
doors were closed to him during all the
time he needed friends. IL il necessary |
TO say that he scOrns the hollow court
estes and SCOTS at the Stiffness aud self
ishness of " hat delights in being known
As society? | would like to give you
his name, hut | know his modesty,
which is only equaled by his merit,
would revolt at the idea, and so for
bear. p. DOMAIN
That Highway Of Nations,
The broad Atlantic, il ever a stormy