The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-12-20
Q0isreiianp.


advertisement OF Mr.. Small, announcing The
duplication Of the f,st Volume of Z" II snsso-
lions Of the Historical and Liiers'y Commit
les Of the Amer lean Philosophical Sociey."
ahe greater part Of this volume Is an account
of the history, manners, and customs OF the
Indians who once inhabited Pennsylvania sod
the neighboing states, by the Rev John
Heekewe elder, Of Bethlehem. From this iu-
tete sing volome, we extract tho following
Anecdote, which ue,tb,nk esnno, but grstily
our efaders--it occurs at page 3i3 Of the
yoIume. Nm. Daify .ddv.s
"Scating nyseH once upon los, by
the side of an Indian who was resting
himself there, being at that time actively
employed in fencing in his corn field, /
observed to him that he must be very
fond Of working, as | never saw him
idling away his time, AZ is so common
with the Indians. The answer. which
he returaed, made considerable impress
sion OH my mind. have remembered
it ever since, and ] shall try to relate 1t
as nearly in his own words as possible.
"Niy friend" said he. "tbe fishes in
the water and the birds in the air and on
earth have taught inc to work +; by their
example have been convinced oi the
necessity Of labor and industry When
] was young man, | loitered great
deal about, doing nothing, just like the
other Indians. who say that working IS
only for the whites and the negroes, and
that the Indians have been ordained for
other purposes, to hunt the deer and
catch the beaver, otter, raccoon, and such
other animals. But it ono day SO hap
pehed. that while hunting, came To
the bank ct the SusquehapnAh, where |
sat down near the waters edge, to rest
4 little, and casting my eye on the water
/ WIS furcibly sruck, when ! observed
with what industry the Mceshgalingisw
I,raped small stones together, to make Sc
cure places for their spawn, and all this
labor they did with their mouth and bo-
dies. without hands!
A,tonisted as well as diverted, |
lighted my pipe, sat while, smoking
aud looking on, when presently little
bird, not far from me, raised song,
which enticcd me to lonk that way while
/ was trying to distinguish who the song.
sier Mas, and catch il with my eyes, its
riatc with ~ much grass as rs eist could
hold. passed close by me, and Aew into
bush, where perceived them together
busy building their nest. and singing as
they went along. ! entirely forgo, thar
! was hunting, in order to contemplate
The objects had before me saw the
birds Of the air and the fishes in tho sea
working diligently and cl,cerRnlly, and
all this without hands! thought it was
strange, and became lost in contemplation,
l looked at myself, saw two long arms,
provided with han,ls and fingers, besides
Joints that might be opened and shot at
pleasure Tcol.ld when pleased, take up
any thing with these hands, hold it fast.
or let it loose, ssd carry it along with me
us walked. Iobserved, moreover, tha,
IhUia strong body. capable of bearing
ia,iqlc, and supported BY two stout legs,
with which, could climb to the top of
the highest mauulains, and descend, at
pleasure. into the va,ics.
And is il possible, said /, that
being so termed as avn, was created to
live in ldlcnsss while the birds, Who have
10 hands, and nothing but their li,iie
bills to help them, work with cheerful
ness, and without being told TO DO SO ?
Has thea tina, creator oil man, and OF all
living creatures, given me all these limbs
for no purpose? Il cannot be; will
try to go to work ~ did 50, and went
away froa, thc village toa spot at good
land. bui,a cabin. enclosed ground, plan
ted corn and raiscdcaitle. Ever since that
time, I have enjoyed a good appetite and
sound sleep; while others spend their
nights in dancing, and are suffering with
hunger, live n plenty; keep horses
COWS hogs and fowls; | am happy.