THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. II 
they were hardly cold in their graves. Better 
to have died unknown and poor than to have 
toiled and hoarded through a long life only to 
be finally embalmed in scandal. I should be 
afraid to die-worth more than enough to bury 
me, lest it should be the occasion of soiling my 
name when I am dead.” 
“Well, Charley,” was the reply, “the in¬ 
stances you mention are too frequent; but 
that might have been the fault of the heirs. 
It should be remembered that those who ac¬ 
cumulated the wealth did some noble things, 
which should entitle them to a more respectful 
remembrance.” 
“ With a few rare exceptions I cannot see it 
in that light,” said Davidson. “ True, they gave 
away some large sums. But the measures used 
in accumulating; the ^ corners ’ made in stocks, 
railroad-shares, and wheat,—showed the true 
bent and purpose of their lives. A few ostenta¬ 
tious charities could not hide all this from the 
eyes of the world, even though their greedy heirs 
had not torn away the thin veil which had been 
used for concealment. I would rather be a 
Robinson Crusoe and share my hut and scanty 
morsel with my man Friday than be the owner 
