The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-28
DIAlloSD ~ ms rooTH
II Was Put There When Tbco. FRA
zier Had Fortune.

Among those provided with food and
shelter at the municipal lodging house
within che last few days was a young
man whose dress would scarcely Indicate
that he had been reduced 10 a peuniless
condition. neither would 10, be Inferred
from his actions that he was accustomed
20 seeking accommodations furnished free
by charitable community. Yet he was
there ana for three days and nights ne
was obliged TO remain under tho roof Of
that institution. one Of the rules OF the
home for the destitute IS that each per-
son provided for there must exert a core
tain amount of energy upon the wood
pile. IN this way any tndlViduM may
earn nights lodging or meal Of VIC
tuals.
Theodore Frazier was the name regis
tered upon the book, but the name sgnl-
fed nothing In particular, ana it. was not
for two days that the remarkable history
Of the young man was learned. He had
taken his turn at the wood pie. and. all
though quite awkward in the use OF q
hucksaw, he paid i'm fun the price asked
for the accommodations Afforded him.
|, Superintendent Cutler OF sthe lodging
house observed that AFrhzles caffied an
unusual amount of gold IN his teeth.
Nearly every tooth IN my lead Is
crowned with gold, and what IS more, !
have diamond-set t0oth,' Frazier told
the superintendent With this DE showed
am incsor IN which was set a solitaire dia-
mond Of a little less phan half u carat in
/ weight.
Il had that put IN there when l had
more money than ! knew whut to do
with" he observed with sigh of regret.
The superintendent became Interested in
the young man. Never before had the roof
OF the municipal lodging house sheltered
n man with a mouth fun of gold and dia-
monds. was indeed a rare thing to see
such rich Communications among the pow
erty-stricken.
II suppose you wonder what I a1n doing
here" remarked the possessor of the gold
en- teeth and, taking note Of the fact that
the story Of his life would not fail upon
unappreciatve ears he began to give an
! account of himself. by way Of introducing
the subject he said:
LESS than three years ago ] was worth
/ $4,000, but now must work for a living,
! having lost every cent Of my fortune"
WAS IL drink that reduced you to your
| present condition.
No was the proud answer. 1T was
/ my friends
'All through my life ] was provided
! with all the good things this world affords
| and my father, being q PROSPEROUS man,
! left me at his death the sum OF $4,000, prln-
/ cipally in currency, or that which could
! be easily converted. In less than eighteen
| months after the money was placed at my
] disposal it had all slipped through my
hands and / found myself one morning a
! pauper
when I fen heir to such princely
/ sum / little dreamed that I would ever be
| in want. but / am going to make the pest
! of the situation and endeaVOr TO earn a
/ livelihood as best I can"
The young mans father realized a for
tune from the sale of an iron mine IN the
| south, but just where the son did not
/ care to say. In registering for his FIRST
nights lodging he gave Memphis, Tenn.
as his address, and that is probably his
! former home He is now tWenty-fouI
years old, and came into the inheritance
/ about the time he attained his majority
! He started out well by going 10 a dental
! college at Philadelphia to fit himself foi
/ that profession. Awaiting himself Of the
! services Of an expert dentist, Frazier had
/ gold crowns put on nearly all his teeth
| A cavity appeared in one his incisors and
It was then he conceived the idea that a
/ diamond setting would be something OF a
novelty. Why not a diamond2 He had
/ plenty Of money-more than he needed
so a. pure white stone was purchased and
| set in the tooth.
While in Philadelphia Frazier engaged
| a suite Of rooms at the Lafayette hotel
4 where he kept open house for his friends
! Then began his downfall. Being gener
ops, his alleged friends imposed upon his
/ hospitality. The money began to go rapid.
| ~, but the amount seemed inexhaustible
| TO the heir.
/ His luxurious apartments and expensive
| friends rapidly reduced his bank account
| When the money was no more to be had
| the friends who had Jared so sumptuous
ly at the hands of'Theodore deserted hin
| to seek other lambs not yet shorn. II,
/ was Of no further use to Them and thef
| it was he learned that friends are plenti
| full while money lasts, but very scare,
| when the exchequer becomes depleted
! The world seemed cold and cherries
! when the last penny had been spent. an(
| there was no longer a friendly roof {,
| shelter him. But he was not the kin,
to cry over spilled milk. He gracefully
| accepted the unpleasant situation and
| although untitled to battle with life, b.
| was possessed Of versatility.
| After trying various schemes he at las
| purchased a quantity of cheap jeweirl
and began trafficking in that article
which sells readily to the unsophisticat e,
| pilgrims from the rurals He evidently me
with poor sale for his wares a the ma
tons capital and found himself Obliged
to saw wood that he might subsist durin,
his sojonrn here. 1T might be expected
that one who has enjoyed the luxurie.
Of life, A1d then lost all, would be any
thing but cheerful. This Is not true II
the case Of Mr.. Frazier. He feels tina
he has been taught a lesson worth know
ing, and what he accumulates by his owl
efforts win be treasured 1t viii not b
squandered upon unappreciative friends
Supt. Cutler said that In all his expers
/ ence as manager Of the municipal l0dgin,
house. not one person had applied ther
for a bed whose history was as inter
esting as that Of the Memphis lad