Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1880 — LOVE VERSUS WEALTH. [ARTICLE]

LOVE VERSUS WEALTH.

There can be no doubt in the minds of those who have made observations relative to the matter that many of the matrimonial alliances which are formed in civilized and Christian communities are based upon the true principle of mutual affection and a proper appreciation of the proper qualities that each of the contracting parties believes the other to possess. It is equally evident to those acquainted with the history of many who have formed a life partnership that one or both have been influenced in taking that important step by sinister motives, mainly if not exclusively. It frequently occurs that those who are seeking only wealth and position, regardless of the question whether there is sufficient congeniality of character to insure felicity or command respect, find that they are doomed to lead a life of splendid misery, compared with which the humblest position in life, above absolute want and destitution, is by far the most preferable, if domestic felicity reigns in the household. But we intended to relate a narrative—not to write a homily. We will premise and assure the reader that the incidents related in the following narration were of actual occurrence, the writer having obtained them from one who was perfectly acquainted with the facts in the case. Walter Congden first, saw the light in the city of Boston. Here he passed his childhood and grew to man’s estate. In his boyhood he was left fatherless, and reared by the kindest of mothers, who was left in but moderate circumstances, possessing a bumble but neat home, and an income that, with economy and industry on her part, barely sufficed to afford her a livelihood and enable her to give her darling son the opportunity of obtaining a thorough education. Our hero made good use of the opportunities afforded him for cultivating his mind and acquiring useful knowledge; and when he left the classic hall, where ho hud spent several years in mental toil—in climbing the rugged bill of science—to enter upon the active duties of life, it was with a more than ordinarily well-disciplined mind.

In that same city dwelt a Miss Celestia Melville. Her father for years—long before she entered upon the stage of ex-istence—-had followed the calling of a retail grocer in the same locality that he occupied at the time our tale commences. He enjoyed the reputation of being scrupulously honest and just in his dealings, and commanded the respect of all who formed his acquaintance. He spared neither pains or expense, so far as his means would permit, to give his daughter a first-class education. Her success in acquiring knowledge and advancement in learning was all that ho could desire, and at the age of 18 she was thoroughly informed relative to the branches taught in seminaries of learning, and possessed all those accomplishments which are considered as indispensable to a young lady’s finished education.

Walter and Celestia were playmates and lirni friends in early childhood. The two families were on the most intimate terms of friendship and social intimacy. Our hero and heroine, during a term of several years, attended the same school, and, although he was her senior in age by three years, they were often members of the same class, and often did he assist her in advancing in the studies she was pursuing. As they advanced to more mature years, the feeling of reciprocal friendship that had from thenchildhood existed between them ripened into the warmest, most-ardent affection, and when Walter had arrived at the age >f 22 years they were betrothed, and both looked forward with pleasing anticipation to the day in the not-distant future that should witness their destinies united, when they should publicly exchange vows to walk the rugged pathway of life together. At the time of which we now write, in the spring of 1849, the news of the discovery of gold in California had produced intense excitement throughout the length and breadth of the land. News of the almost-fabulous amount of wealth that in a short space of time was procured from the recesses of the mines of the golden Eldorado produced a willingness in the mind of many an aspirant. after wealth to forego the enjoyments of civilized life and endure the hardships .incident to the expedition for the prospect of achieving a fortune. It was frequently a topic of conversation between our young friends in their private interviews, and finally they came to the conclusion to postpone their marriage until Walt r should try his fortune among thcgold-di gers of California, in the hope that the fickle goddess would crown his labors wit i success, and they could commence the j. iirncy of life together with a competen -e. Arrangements wore ma '.e for carrying out their plans, and in di e time our hero bade his fond mother, his affianced spouse and other friends a ieu and started on his perilous journ y. At parting our friends renewed then vows of constancy, and promised that a . frequently as circumstances would permit and there was opportunity they won! i converse in the silent language of the pen.

On the arrival of Walter in New York he dispatched a letter to his lady-love, informing her that he had reached the Empire City safely, after a pleasant journey, and would on the next day take passage on a vessel that was to then start with a large number of emigrants for the land of golden promise. On reaching San Francisco he sent her another letter, informing her of his arrival at that place and of his unimpaired health. He also informed her that in a few days a party, including himself, would start for the mines. He was fortunate in his selection of a location, worked with unremitting industry, and practiced the most rigid economy. He did not fail to embrace every opportunity to send letters to his betrothed, all of which were promptly answered, and filled -with as strong declarations of undeviating constancy and true affection as the most exacting lover could reasonably desire. After he had been engaged in the mines for the space of three months, he wrote her that he had already saved SI,OOO by his labor, with prospects of as Rood success in the-

future as he had in the past. They continued to correspond, each regularly and promptly answering the missive received from the other, but he did not in any subsequent letter refer to his success, only to assure his betrothed of his unin ten upted good health. Thus he toiled on year after year, until five had rolled into eternity since he left his childhood’s home —tore himself away from the benefits and refinements of civilization, and endured the privations and toil that were incident to the calling he was pursuing, and the circumstances with which he was surrounded. He was toiling thus, in a far-off land, not for liis own sake or benefit alone, but for the benefit and gratification of one to whom he had long ago given his heart’s strong affections ; with whom, if Providence saw’ tit to spare their lives, he expected to tread the rugged pathway of life. The thought that as the result of his labor they would be placed in a positions of affluence, and provided with all the comforts and luxuries that wealth could procure, cheered him in his loneliness, and nerved his arm to unremitting toil. The letters he received from his affianced, and the occasional newspapers that found their way to his camp, were the only sources of information that he had of what was transpiring in the great busy metropolis that he hail voluntarily exiled himself from. Meanwhile, how fared it, with our heroine ? She was surrounded with old, familiar associations, and the accustomed comforts of life. If she indulged occasionally in castle building, and in pleasing anticipations of the satisfaction she would in the future enjoy from sharing the wealth her lover was, as she hoped and believed, accumulating in the golden Eldorado, where he was spending his long years of absence, was it not natural. If she thus indulged in day dreams of future prosperity and affluence, was she different from what others would have been, similarly situated? After an absence from home of five years our hero concluded to turn his steps homeward. He had said nothing of his intentions in this respect in the letters he had sent to his old home, wishing, perhaps, to take his friends and former acquaintances by surprise. On his voyage homeward he wore his old, dilapidated mining suit, and his fellowpassengers noticed that he was peculiarly reticent and uncommunicative. When he arrived at New York he deposited the sum of .§BO,OOO in the Merchants’ Exchange Bank, and immediately resumed his journey homeward. He proceeded.!! directly from the depot in Boston to the home of his affianced, and rang the doorbell, which was opened by Celestia herself. She at once recognized him, but his r< mgh costume and appearance of poverty filled her with dismay. Instead of manifesting any pleasure at greeting him after his long absence, she refused his proffered hand, and remarked: “Is it thus you come to me, after keeping me wailing for you to return rich? Can you afford no better clothing than this?” He replied : “I have done the best I could, and if 1 have been unfortunate and have not succeeded as well as we both Imped I should, it is no fault of mine. I have done the best in my power.” “ That is a pretty story to tell. Where is the .§.1,600 you wrote me so long ago you had made?”

“O, that has been spent long ago. I have done my best, and cannot justly be blamed for not having better success than 1 have had. Are yon not glad to see me, even if I have not been as successful as you hoped?” “Indeed I am not; and think it a great outrage to keep me waiting all these long years, in the, hopes of being the wile of a rich man, aijd then return to me in poverty and rags. If that is the best you have done, I never wish to see you again.” Saying this, she rudely shut the door in his face. He went directly to his mother’s home. There, despite his appearance of poverty’ and misfortune, a cordial and affectionate greeting awaited him. No censure or upbraiding did he meet there. The next day he dispatched a note to Celestia, earnestly’ requesting her to grant him an interview’, assuring her that his feelings toward her were unchanged, and that during his days of toil he had ever looked forward to the time when he should again have the pleasure and satisfaction of her society. To this she returned an answer that she desired him not to trouble her—or himself about her any’ more—that she considered the treatment she had received from him cruel and outrageous in the extreme. Henceforward she wished him to regard her as a stranger as much so as though they had nevermet. She did not wish him to recognize her if they chanced to meet on the street, and if he did he would meet with no recognition in return, but it would be regarded by her as adding insult to injury. He might rest assured that she would never overlook or forgive the cruel disappointment he had caused her to endure.

On reading this epistle he resolved to take her at her word. If she had lost all respect or regard for him, unless be was loaded with riches, he was not sorry to ascertain that fact at the present time. It was, however, a phase of character that he fondly hoped and believed, until the present time, that she did not possess. To say that he was hurt, grieved, chagrined and sorely disappointed but faintly depicts his feelings. After the lapse of a few days, he went to a livery stable, near his mother’s residence, picked out and priced a noble span of steeds, and an elegant carriage and equipage, with the ostensible purpose of purchasing them. He was told the price, and he asked if he could have them on a month’s credit. He was asked what references he could give ? He replied the President and Directors of the Merchants’ Exchange Bank, in the city of New York. They told him they would give him an answer within two days. The proprietors of the stable telegraphed to the bank, and received for an answer that Mr. Walter Congden had recently deposited in their institution the sum of SBO,OOO. They sent him word that the team and equipage wore at his service. He returned the message that, as they were unwilling to trust, him at first, he had concluded not to take them. But he had accomplished his purpose. The secret of his wealth was out, and made the subject of comment and gossip. When the intelligence reached his mother, she advised him, as lie was able to do so, to provide himself with better apparel. He acted on her suggestion, and procured a fashionable suit, and sported a magnificent gold watch and chain that he brought with him from flic land of gold. When the news of her quondam lover’s wealth reached the cars of Celestia she realized with consternation and dismay the eggregious mistake she had made. She saw that the guise and appearance of poverty assumed by her lover was to test the genuineness of her affection, and alas ! she had permitted herself to betray her weakness, which she was fearful would, indeed, seal her fate so far as ever becoming the wife of her once cherished, but now rejected and wealthy lover. She wrote him a note imploring him to forgive her, and received assurances from her lips of her sincere, constant and undiminished affection. To this he vouchsafed no answer, in fact, took no further notice of it than to read it an d cast it in the fire. She sent him another, and another, both of which he returned to her unopened. She then arrayed herself in her best attire, and walked repeatedly, day after day, back and forth past Mrs. Congden’s parlor window, by the side of which Mr. Waite r sat reading, but he never once raised his eyes from his book or gave her any other token that he had noticed her or was aware of her presence. See-

ing that alt her efforts to undo what she had done, or reinstate herself in his favor were futile, she went home in des-, pair, bitterly bewadingaher folly, and earnestly’, but hopelessly, >-®Mng she could recall the past, ana olot from the history of it the most fatally-foolish act of her life. But her regrets were useless. She had acted under the impulse of sordid, selfish feelings, coupled with keen diflappoifftiapnt, uhu-must al fide by the result, howevfir’ Ifitter And painftd it prpved to be. ■ A few weeks more elapsed, andAValter persuaded his mot-tie * to * sell her property and accompany him to the West. They passed tlirough the Empire City, where Walter drew’ his money from the bank, and hastened on his way to the then youngs and rising State of Wisconsin. Here he purchased a farm of 640 acres, in a 'good neighborhood, peopled mostly by emigrants from the Eastern States. It required the investment of but a small share of his money to purchase this property, and he spent an additional sum in improving and beautifying it, placing the remainder at interest. At the end of two years, he possessed tjhe best improved, most thoroughly beautified and ornamented farm,! large or small, in the vicinity, and was surrounded with every comfort and luxury that wealth could purchase, or refined taste suggest. At this time there came from the State of Massachusetts a Mr. Charles Benton, a gentleman of culture, taste and refinement, with his wife, a woman of education and estimable qualities, and a daughter of 3 years of age. He hail been induced to emigrate to the West, in the hopes that the salubrious air might improve his shattered health. He was the victim of consumption, and w r as led to hope that by thus changing his location his life might be prolonged, but alas! the disease had already made too great, progress, and in one year after his arrival hd lay in bis grave in a land of strangers. Walter was one of his nearest neighbors, and during the latter part-of his

life was assiduous in bis attentions to him, doing all in his power to smooth his pathway to the grave which obviously yawned before him. He had ample opportunity to observe the phases of character manifested by Mrs. Bonton and the deep, true affection she manifested for her suffering husband—her untiring devotion, and strict attention to his wants (which she anticipated),, raised her high in his estimation, and he was forced to the conclusion that, if some women were fickle, false, sordid, and selfish, it would be the height of injustice to attribute these characteristics to all of them. During the year that followed the demise of Mr. Benton, Walter, wider tlje impulse of his naturaHy-gefierous nature, and from the high estimation lie held Mrs. Benton in, was unremitting in his neighborly kindness, awakening in the breast of the recipient of his favors the warmest gratitude and a just appreciation of the noble character he possessed. A year had passed since the death of Mr. Benton, and our hero resolved again to venture bis success on the shrine of love. His mother was growing old and feeble, and needed the companionship and assistance of some younger lady ; he was tired of a life of celibacy, and he made Mrs Benton the offer of being mistress of his home and queen of his heart. She accepted, and again stood at the hymenia! altar with 'one of nature’s noblemen who possessed the noblest traits of character, wjiile he felt that she to whom he had given the strength of his manhood’s affections possessed all those qualifications which constitute the true woman.

Another year passed, and Walter followed the remains of his beloved mother to their last resting place. Sfie passed from earth at a ripe age, after a life of faithful discharge of her duties to her family, and entered upon the rest reserved for the faithful and good. Walter’s abilities and integrity of character w’ere appreciated by his constituents. He had, ere he had been three years a resident of the State of his adoption, conferred on him positions of honor and trust, and was thrice sent ,to represent his constituency in the Legislature of his State. So faithfully did he discharge his duties in the stations in which he had been placed that he was finally repeatedly sent to represent bis district in the legislative councils of the nation. Blest in his domestic- relationfaj. enjoying the benefits of an lunple’.amountf of wealth, the result of his own industry? and economy, possessing the respect,: honor and confidence of his acquaintances, his position is one, if not to be envied, at least one that is desirable. Celestia still lives unmarried in her native city. Hers has been for years a life fraught with unavailing grief and self-reproach. News of Walter’s pros-* perity and rising fame constantly reaches her, which does not have the effect to improve her temper or render her more reconciled to her lot. She is a perfect type of an ill-tempered, sour, uncompanionable, vinegar-faced old maid,’ an unhappy subject of self-recriminations and discontent.