Year: 1874

"Rum's got him, and rum will kill
him"


Such was the language of liippant
Young man to another of the same
kind, in a New York City hotel, some
three years age. The manner, as well
the words. attracted my attention, and
| at once directed it TO n miserable
man that l had noticed in the public
hall of the hotel. Each morning of
nv stay there it was my habit to arise
before day and this same man was al
ways in the hail when came from
nv room. He seemed to have an
unusually keen sense of shame, for
he generally left as soon as the guests
began to assemble.


The morning of which | write, the
man was evidently suffering from a
severe bruise on his temple, as it was
bleeding freely. My sympathies were
aroused, and / determined TO satisfy
my curiosity, and extend such sympa-
thy as might be acceptable | &C
costed him in a respectful manner,
inonirfpg what accident had beiallen
him. He answered that an omnibus
had thrown him down, and had well
nigh killed him. The remark of the
young man before alluded to came to
my mind: "Rum's got him, and rum
will kill him" That morning rum
had nearly done 1t.


Another victim had nearly been
sacrificed upon the altar where the
fires never pale, and whose flames are
as red and smoke as black as their na-
tive He'll.


The reader may remark that there
is nothing unusual in all this. Too
true. Before our own eyes runs
victims ever pass on to the same un-
quenchable flame.


But let me tell as briefly as / can
very little of the history of this un-
fortunate man. He was no common
victim although as he appeared that
morning and previously, be was not
different from any common drunkard
He bore in his countenance but few
traces of the good breeding of gen.
tleman that he was, or the remarka
ble talent for business that his life
had proved before the fatal clutch
of rum-of death-had laid hold OF
him.


He was exceedingly cautions in
answering questions | put to him,
when the answer wonld in any way
lead him to disclose his former self
or surroundings. had conversed a
considerable time without success,
except to heighten my curiosity. The
guests of the hotel began to gather
in the hall, and the poor man arose to
go His room was wanted and he
must go out into the circle that would
allow his presence; 60 out where rum
and revelry, crime and carnival, have
their place.


| urged him to GO into a room
where we would be alone. He FL
lowed, and when seated told him
frankly of the interest he had awak
ened and plead with him to tell me-
though a stranger, something of 8
life that l felt certain was not that ol
every common man. Without enter.
ing into Details will say that he
was genteely bred and literally edu,
Gated. His early life was spent al
Trenton, New Jersey, where he was
married to a beautiful and accom-
plished young lady His early bust
ness education was in Bank, ant
: his prospects were more than usual
ly promising, when he won and wee
his accomplished bride.


He retained the esteem of his as
sociates in business, and acquired {
reputation as a financier that wa
more than local.


3 Upon the organization of one'o
the first National Banks in New Yorl
City, he was prevsiled upon to take
. share and the management. Th
Bank was success, and the manage