Page:Orange Grove.djvu/191

 was led into a career of intemperance before he was aware.

At the time Mr. Kingley set up his business as liquor seller, Mr. Morgan was a respectable, well-todo man of the world, and if he did not have such a marked effect in society as some others, ho bid fair to leave his children an honest name. Mr. Kingley was poor, and many a favor Mr. Morgan had done him, being very generous-hearted, and he, in pretended friendship, would treat him. Then it was a practice of customary hospitality, but Mr. Kingley was too avaricious a man to be very free with any thing of his unless he expected to fill his coffers in return. As he grew rich on his ill-gotten gains, he began to despise his victims when they grew poor in consequence. His daughter Mary was his only child, and his affection for her was his only redeeming feature. To his wife he was basely lacking in kindness and refinement.

James and Mary were about the same age, and had always been playmates together until their affection ripened into love. Her father raised no objection so long as Mr. Morgan's fortunes were above his own, but, as they gradually sunk, and James became the dissipated son of a drunken father, he watched them with jealous eyes. Having doted upon Mary and indulged every wish, it was very hard to say anything to her, but he did not spare James. He threatened and annoyed him in every way possible, and hurried him on to ruin as much as lay in his power, knowing very well that Mary's good sense would be sufficient to guard her against such an imprudent marriage.