Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-16

really extraordinary how, in my case at
least, sudden transition from poverty to
wealth completely modified my character.
If l had been otherwise than a fair average
specimen of the workaday man, neither
blessed with greater capacities nor cursed
with worse defects than the general run, the
observations have made would be of little
interest. But, considering myself fairly
representative of bourgeois virtues and
vices, my observations cannot be otherwise
than of psychological value. 1t is extra
ordinary what a change a large sum OF
money Will make in man. / wish / could
trace step by step my transition from the
resolutions of the first moment of my
enthusiasm to those which, taken when the
money came into my possession, were
definite.
may mention here that of that sum not
penny remains to me. Part of it was
squandered in the indulgence of my vanity,
the rest was lost in speculations which were
intended to largely augment my future, for
as 1 gradually grew familiar with the idea
that was the possessor of 920, 900 the more
miserable did that sum appear to become in
my eyes. What was, after all, half mil
lion francs? A mere bagatelle compared
to the fortunes of hundreds of men that L
knew-men, too, who in no way could be
compared to me.
For must mention that, knowing my
self to be at least completely independent,
my vanity and selfesteem swelled out im-
mensely. Formerly had been timld, diff
dent and reserved. At the end of the
month 1 found myself loud, incumbrant,
full OF reliance in myself as the firm founda-
tion of my five-franc pieces.
Int t1o Of 10
week that 1 began to entertain feeling of
hostility toward Marie, the servant of the
Maillards. Imagine my giving her 10, ,0O0f |!
What possible right had she to such sum,
the fifth of one years income? She had, in
fetching me the ticket which had won the
great prize, done no more than she was paid
to do. What favor meriting recompense
had she done me? / should be singularly
simple to imagine that could she have had
even the faintest inkling of an idea that my
ticket would win she would have brought it
to me. What impertinence on her part it
would have been if she had accepted the
gift which, acting on my first foolish I'M
pulse, had resolved to give her. No doubt
she would have done SO, and more than
probable was it that she would have
been dissatisfied, and have thought me
very mean to give so little, so un-
grateful is human nature. felt quite
angry with the girl, and was brusque
toward her whenever we met. At one
time thought of suggesting to the Mail
lards that they should dismiss her. How
ever, as had made up my mind shortly
afterward to break off all connection with
them, it became Indifferent to me whether
they continued to harbor in their house
such a monster of meanneSs and ingratitude
or not.
L felt very happy when, having come
back to my senses, l had dismissed Marie's
pretentions as preposterous. l was as
pleased as if had suddenly pocketed that
sum. 1t was the money which had come to
me as the reward for acting in a sensible
way, and thus doubly precious. L was so
pleased with myself that on the day when L
had torn up the silly letter had prepared
for Marie, l treated myself to good dinner
at Brebant's.
1t was while enjoying my cigar and coffee
at the close OF the dinner that it suddenly
struck me that the reason of verv un-
pleasant feeling which had been weighing
on me all through the progress of my other
wise most pleasant entertainment was the
engagement I had taken with myself to
present Brunot with 20, 900 francs. Twenty
thousand francs sum representing the
unhagging industry and economy of years
and years. There [ was with my generous
impulses. What claim had Brunot on me?
Let me consider with impartiality. No!
reflect as l would, no claim at all. 1 had
felt sorry for his great disappointment, and
il was under the effect of my pity for him
that had taken this resolution. Now how
unreasonable, and above all how unjust,
that was Of me. Why, there were millions
of ticket holders who had been Just as bit
terly disappointed. Every person who had
held a ticket in this lottery had hoped and
expected to win. Each had made projects
for the future; it was not Brunot's air castle
alone that had come tumbling down when
the result was made known. Was it posi-
BILE for me to give a solatium to each of the
disappointed? Certainly not; the fortune
of the Rothschilds would not suffice for that
purpose. Nor would it be fair to the others
to make an exception in Brunot's favor.
Obviously not. He was my friend, it is
true, but that made justice on my part to
those who were not my friends at all the
more laudable. No, no; as 1 could not SOL
ace all it would be unfair to solace one, and
Brunot's letter must share the same fate as
Marie's
l felt extremely satisfied with myself
when had come to this decision. could
imagine the bitter-sweet feeling OF the
Roman general when he sacrificed his two
sons. After all, there is no purer satisfac-
ton in life than the sensation of having ac-
complished ones duty under the greatest
temptation to do otherwise In my case my
act of justice brought with it its own i'm
mediate reward, for I was richer man by
10000 francs.
With reference to the plans had made
for my family l must state that it never
carried them out, and if neither my sister
nor nv grandmother never benefited by nv
good fortune, it was not because regretted
my proposed liberality toward them, but be-
cause from some motive which cannot
explain 1 kept postponing the execution OF
my plan on their behalf until had no
means to carry it out. Indeed, 1t is perhaps
the only consolation that now remains to ME
that did have the intention of helping
those who have claim upon me, and am
quite certain that should fortune ever favor
me again l should not delay until too late
inviting them to share her bounties with
me.-Robert II. Sherard in Pail Mall
Budget.
FOOD FOR THE BEASTS.