The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-26
Why Tim Was offered a Fortune.

To all outward appearances the case OF
the foster son of Mrs. Hopkins-Ssarles is
oaly another exemplifcation OF the injuri-
Gus effects upon the lower order of human
nature consequent upon the rare weakness
of being too indulgently kind TO the friend
less.
When Mrs. Mark Hopkins with her nat
i've benevolence took the boy Tim Nolan
into her home he was depending upon a
mother who earned her living by manual
labor Kindly she cared for him and made
| him her special protege Not only did she
! give him food aud raiment but maternal
! sympathy and counsel as well, and by the
! influence Of education and the home sur
roundings OF Intelligence and refinement
she faithfully and nobly tried TO make Of
him worthy man and the most perfect
possible semblance Of genuine gentlem an
that care and expensive training could
reasonably be expected TO effect without
the aid Of inherent fundamental principles
of that condition.
So long as her husband lived the boy re-
manned the protege Of Mrs Hopkins and
nothing more. Shrewd aud experienced
old Mark Hopkins would not hear Of ad-
hitting him to closer relationship. SUBJ
sequent events tended to confirm the sound
ness Of the old gentlemsn's Judgment.
Notwithstanding the objections Of her
husband the soft-hearted aud lonely old
lady soon succumbed to her sympathies, and
after the death of Mark Hopkins made the
youth, then grown up, her adopted son aud
| heir to all OF her millions.
No t. kab
installed than he began 60 gradually dis
close the proverbisi cloven foot. Imme-
diately feeling his OATS with the most
Ostentatious consciousness he straightway
proceeded in such a course as to make his
kind foster mother speedily regret that she
| had ever taken him into her home.
Long before she met Mr.. Searles the poor
woman is said TO have realized with due re-
greet that she had nurtured a viper with the
usual disastrous results. Feeling that he
was in the saddle and held the reins, as it
were, he attempted to ride over his foster
mother rough shod whenever an opportu-
nifty offered.
By way of Illustrating the manner of
| man that he turned to be gle incident
in point that is related by q member OF the
family will suffice.
After choosing a wife IN direct conflict
with the expressed wishes of Mrs. Hopkins
he is said to have calmly proceeded with
her out to the San Francisco mansion.
Entering the dining-room for the first
post-nuptial dinner Tim led the way with his
newly-acQuired bride and seaued her in the
chair usually occupied by Mrs Hopkins at
the hesd OF the table. Although the old lady
Immediately noticed the direct affront she
made no soene by a complaint Instead she
walked up TO the chair and with her usual
tact and perfect composure smilingly said
to the bride: 81 will thank you for my
seat Very much to Tins inward chagrin
and unconcealed wrath she got 1t without
delay. Most likely she never forgot It
either. But that was only one of many
similar occurrences that are related by her
friends 70 show that her dislike for Tim
was of long standing and we'll grounded.
Therefore they declare that the s., 90, 900
and not sl2, coo .0O0-thas Mr.. Searles
| really offered 70 pay him was virtually to
restrain Tim from going upon the witness
stand and venting his III will upon his dead
benefactress
Merely TO protect the memory OF his wife
Mr.. Searles was willing 70 give 10 Tim a vast
sum Of money, to which he has no recog-
nized actual right and only the shadow of q
tangible legal claim. Now that the case ia
| the probate court has been decided against
| him. it looks as il he would not get any
/ thing.
Had the sympathetic Mrs Hopkins al
| lowed Tim to remain in poverty aud be
! buffeted about and to grow up aud work
ont his own pc sunia-y salvation, probably
| the inevitable hard thumps Of constant con-
tact with the rugged surface OF sdvessity
might have worn OF many OF the rough
| edges and tended to somewhat temper the
! pristine hardness Of his nature, so ss to
make OF him more or less Just and humane
man and useful citizen, il not a polished
| gentleman. But the ossiaed tendous Of 80 in
| frangible an organization naturally proved
altogether impervious to the soft influences
Of bsnevoleRce and sympathetic instruction
! Just here is where we discover ample
| Justification and confirmation Of the old
! aphorisIn that blood tells" in the develop
ment of the man as well ns in the speed and
mettle OF his beast.