Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-24
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
An Instance Of Rich Mans Inability 20
Purchase What He Dekired-Whistling
and Telesraphy-Tent-L Life In the East

| A"Hcu1so W mt no Oee1roo-W usstHn :
| and Telesraphy-Tent. Life In the Easl
End.
"a rich man can get anything he desires, y
said young man some months ago in the
presence OF venerable divine, q leader in his
church.
lyon speak foolishiy," said the clergyman.
''and Few years experience will show you that
the rich are subjected to as many disappoint-
ments In life as the poor. remember the case
of a very wealthy Pittsburger which may serve
| somewhat 10 illustrate my meaning. 1t was q
good many years ago and this wealthy member
OF my congregation had not been notable at all
for his good works inside or outside the church.
In fact doubt whether he did anything for the
church at all. Therefore when heard of his
illness did not hasten to call upon him as
might have done had / had the least encourage
ment to DO so. But he had not been long con-
fined to his bed when he sent for me. I went
to him ut once. He was sitting in
his bed, prepped up with pillows. and
the moment caught sight Of his facs knew
that l was In the ante-chamber of death. !
sat down beside him and tried to lead the con-
versation into devotional channels, but he i'm
patiently waved his Thin white hand and said
Doctor, did not send for you to talk of any
thing but what I'd had on my mind ever since
fell sick. The doctors have TOLD me cannot
few days or only few hours. I've been think
ing over my past life and it gives me little
comfort My life has been successful as far as
the world goes, but haven't friend or a
relation VINO will regret my going. I've been
very bad man. Nothing stopped my selfish
will. You are minister of the Gospel. Can
you give me any hope?
He looked beseechIngly at me and to the
best of my power tried to bring peace to him
fhan ar1df hnRn Rx,AT
tell him that he had not been a very great sim
ner. Suddenly he interrupted me again and
said: Doctor II were to leave half my entire
fortune to your church, would you promise me
that should recover from this illness and have
time to seek Gods forgiveness? will draw up
a will at once to that effect If you will promise
me that"
"All L could tell him was that he might still
seek forgiveness as did the thief on the cross at
the last moment but that no legacy of his to
the church would induce me to promise him
lite or forgiveness He was bitterly angry with
me and 1 left him soon afterward. He died
that same dsy. Whatever mercy he may
obtain at the judgment day will not have been
purchased with his money"
-
WHEN the clergyman had concluded his
story asked him if the experience related
therein was unique during his ministry.
"Yes, 1t Is" said he; mo other millionaire
has ever offered money TO my church or to me
for forgiveness or new lease on life. The man
speak Of was the worst rich man have ever
known"
If you do not wish to be the mark for every
one in the room to hurl movables at be careful
not to enter the operating room of telegraph
office whistling. 1t Is the one thing that a tele-
graph operator at work will not tolerate. The
shrill sound from pursed lips mingles with the
dot and dash signals of the sounder and is
nearly certain to throw the operator out.
II is very amusing to see fiery, untamed
messenger boy stroll into the Western Union
operating room whistling like mocking bird.
Every operator in the room stops work to hurl
some verbal rock at the whistler. The re-
csption has been known to abash a messenger
boy on more than one occasion, marvellous to
relate.
AT the mature age Of X years, Willie, the
light and joy of an East End household, re-
solved recently to acquire some camping expe-
rience. In the ample grounds about the house
accordingly he erected > tent, and after en-
bellishing its walls with all the kitchen imple-
ments that bore any resem blance to the toma-
hawks and bowie knives of the beloved Wild
West, he spent the best of the day in and
about it. This did not satisfy William, how
ever. At supper one eysning he announced
his intention to spend the night in the tent.
"All right" said his father, "but if you 60 out
there you must stay outn 30 bed was rugged
up in the tent, and after sunset the 7-year-old
hero bade fond adlsu to his. parents
and repaired to his couch in the back
yard prairie. Nothing was heard of him
until about o'clock when one of the domestics,
passing by the tent, heard small voice ex.
claim within it: take me to my grandma's-
don't like this tent" The girl took the
young desperate to his grandmother's house,
which was not tar distant William would not
20 into his own home that night. He confessed,
however, at breakfast that he had not spent the
night under canvas.
NOTHING daunted, few days afterward,
William again announced his intention to brave
the perils Of the back yard. The bed was made
up again and William again took tender fare
well of his father and mother. They had per-
idiously planned to make descent upon the
tent in the semblace of wild animals or Indians,
and as soon as William had retired they set
about to carry ont the plot. This programme
was spoilt, however. BY the appearance of
gang of young hopefuls from the neighboring
houses. There was bucket of water with this
party, and the discharge of this over the tent
effectually dampened the ardor of William,
who retired in light marching order to the
house.
There is a vacant tent still In that East End
back yard.