A very nice family which had very small means had a very nice daughter for sale; Michael bought her for his son. So these were wed. Big show wedding and honeymoon trip very expensive for Michael.
When Alexander returned from his wedding trip he balked on the horse business. “His wife was of such a nice family you know,” and besides, “it is such a damnably plebian business, don’t you know.” Michael interviewed Alexander in his library, in which were displayed a large number of beautiful books, bran new, and the result of the interview was that an occupation was agreed upon for Alexander. He became a stock broker. Seat on Stock Exchange and swell office, very expensive for Michael.
Alexander among stock gamblers and jobbers was like a lamb within the shambles. The motto of stock speculators is not “Love your neighbor as yourself,” but is “Strike lest ye be struck.” Alexander was struck many times and hard. He learned the business, but unfortunately for him, just about the time that he was beginning to consider that he knew the business he was cornered and crushed. He failed for an amount which was worth mentioning, which, of course, was very expensive for Michael. After the failure Alexander consented to knuckle down to the horse business, and about this time Michael began to give notes where formerly he had given checks. Alexander was of the opinion that he was now an experienced business man, but he wasn’t, and he proved no addition to the horse business. Soon Michael began to ask for renewal on notes and things began to be said about him; no man has credit so good that he can afford to have things said about him. So Michael called a meeting of his creditors, and the estate was so bad that fine house, furniture, horses and carriages and everything that went to make the luxurious home were swept away. Everyone blamed Alexander for the ruin of his father, that is, everyone but Michael himself. Michael’s views were expressed neatly and characteristically in a speech to his creditors thusly:
“Gentlemen, me son can tell ye all why ‘telegram’ is no proper word to use because its against the rules and regulations of strict etymology; he can tell ye all a lot of other things that ye don’t know, ner me neither, but he does not understand money. I made a mistake in the education of me son, I neglected that branch of education which deals with the science of making and saving money and keepin’ it when ye get it. Me son is a fine spender, he was educated that way; I think I can offer ye twelve cents on the dollar.”
Michael is now slowly rising from his ashes as those who fit their environment must. Alexander is sinking in the outer darkness of the unfit.
As ye sow so also shall others reap.
By giving away your opinions you may discover their value.
He that enjoyeth many things hath many ways of happiness; he that enjoyeth but one thing may have no way.