The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1890-12-27
gelett Sturp,
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

The old year was fast drawing to a close.
But few hours and the advent of its sue
cessor would be hailed by merry shouts and
joyful CALCULATIONS, mingling with the merry
chime of bells ringing out a noisy welcome
from church towers and steeples.
Adam Hathaway, a wealthy merchant,
sat in his counting room, striking balance
between his gains and losses for the year
which had nearly passed. From the smile
that lighted up his countenance as he drew
near the end of his task, it might safely be
inferred that the result proved satisfactory.
He at length threw down his pen after
footing up the last column, and exclaimed
joyfully:
give thousand dollars net gain in one
year. That will do very well-very well,
indeed. If I am as well prospered in the
year to come, it will indeed be Happy
New Year "
His meditations were interrupted by a
knock at the door, and he saw standing be-
fore him a man of ordinary appearance,
bearing under his arm something, the nature
of which he could not conjecture, wrapped
up III DroWn paper
"Mr. Hathaway, l believer" was the
strangers salutation.
"You are correct"
perhaps, if not particularly engaged,
you will allow me few minutes CONVEX
sation with you p
eyes, certainly, was the surprised reply;
though am at loss to conjecture what
can have brought you here.
"You are wealthy man, Mr.. Hathaway,
and every year increases your possessions,
May l ask what is your object in accumu-
lating so much property"
'',This is very singular question, sir y
said the merchant, who began to entertain
doubts as to his visitors sanity, every sin
gular. | suppose am influenced by the
same motives that actuate other men-the
necessity of providing for my physical
wants and so contribute to my happiness"
"And this contents you? But your
gains are not all devoted to this purpose
This last year, for example, the overplus
has amounted to five thousand dollars"
II know not where you have gained
your information" said Mr.. Hathaway, in
surprise. "However, you are right"
"And what do you intend to do with
this ?"
"You are somewhat free with your ques-
lions, sir. However, have no objection
in answering you. shall lay it up"
"For what purpose? need not tell
you that money, in itself, is of no value.
1t is only the representative of value.
Why, then, do you allow it to remain idle?'
elbow, then, should employ it !? [
have comfortable house well furnished
should l purchase one more expensive
My table is we'll provided-should | live
more luxuriously? My wardrobe is well
supplied--should l dress more expensively?"
''To those questions | answer no. But
it does not follow, because you have good
house, comfortable clothing and well
supplied table, that others are equally well
provided. Have you thought to give Of
your abundance to those who are needy;
to promote your own happiness by advanc-
ing that of others? p
~ must confess that this is duty which
have neglected. But there are almshouses
and benevolent societies. There cannot be
much misery that escapes their notice, !"
said Mr.. Hathaway.
"You shall judge for yourself.
The stranger commenced unwrapping
the package which he carried under his
arm. 1t was small mirror, with a veil
hanging before it. He slowly withdrew
the veil, and said "Lookl !"
A change passed over the face of the
mirror Mr.. Hathaway, as he looked at it
intently, found that it reflected small
room, scantily furnished, while faint fire
fickered in the crate. A bed stood in one
corner of the room, on which reposed a
sick man. By the side of it sat woman,
with thin shawl over her shoulders, bus
ily plying her needle. An infant boy lay
in cradle not far off, which little girl
called Alice, whose wasted form and feature:
spoke of want and privation, was rocking
to sleep.
"Would you hear what they are saying?'
asked the stranger.
The merchant nodded acquiescenee
Immediately there came to his ear the
confused noise of voices, from which hi
soon distinguished that of the sick man
who asked for some food.
ave have none in the house" said hi:
wife. "But I shall soon get this worl
finished, and then l shall be able to ge
some"
The husband groaned: "0h, that
should be obliged to remain idle on sicl
bed, when I might be earning money 70
you and the children. The doctor says
chat, now the fever has gone, need moth
ing but nourishing food to raise me u
again. But, alas | see no means o
procuring it. Would that some rich man
out of his abundance, would supply m
with but trihe from his board. To hin
it would be nothing-to me everything"
The scene vanished, and gradually anoth
er formed itself upon the surface of tn
mirror.
1t was a small room, neatly, but not eS
pensiyely, furnished There were two o,
cupants-a man Of middle age, and a yout
of bright intellectual countenance which
, at present, seemed overspread with an a
Of detection.
Mr.. Hathaway, to his surprise, reco:
nized in the gentleman, Mark Audley,