American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-10-21
IT'S ALL MOONSHINE.

IT'S ALL MOONSHINE.
When was boy and lived with my grand
mother at Willow grove, remember once walk
ing out with her among the trees that sheltered our
greenfrom the summer sun, one moonlight evening.
We had not gone far, before the old lady preceiyed
on the ground that appeared like white
and she stopped, intent picking
1t up, perceived that it was but the light OF the
moon shining through an opening in the branches
above us, and called out " La Grandma, it's ALL
moonshine !" 81 is but mconshine, truly" said
she rubbing her fingers in disappointment; "but,
Oliver, many people grasp at moonshine."
laughed at my grandmother then, but have
since often Witnessed the truth Of her remark.
When gee young man pursuing gay butter
fly OF GIRL because she is heautfu though she
possesses none of the qualifications necessary to
make good wife, good housekeeper, or a good
mother, it brings to my mind the old story; de
pend upon it he is grasping phantom, IT'S all moon
shine
When see pleasure hunters, and those who are
seeking after happiness, plunge into dissipation
seek gay and giddy company, or drink deep Of the
cup of sensual enjoyment, feel for them; know
the disappointment that awaits them; these are not
the pearls of price, that bring with them peace and
content; they are worthless, they ere nothing but
lm0onStine.
table with eager hopes of making money thereby,
and carrying with him the means, by which alone
his family can be supported, to squander 1t there,
II think with Sigh how sadly that poor man mis-
taken the path of wisdom, and labors after that
which is all moonShine.
He is grasping at moonshine, who strives to raise
his consequence in the world by suit of 6ne cloths
or an unpaid sdeboard; and SO is he who is aiming
TO build foundation upon which to elevate himself
| in the estimation of the world, of few THOUSAND
of paltry dollars; for as Burns says,
The RANK is but the guinea's stamp;
The MANS the gold for all that.
and none can become truly great but those whom
nature has fitted to be SO.
| These are plain palpable cases: have som
times thought men were grasPing at moenshine
who attempted to live by literature, or make none
lby printing newspapers; or dreaming OF collecting
their debts or of receiving Iegacies in these times
lyet as these may be doubtful, will not persist
them.
.an Eastern Story--h certain man went to deE
wise and proposed three questions: first, Why d
Ihey say that God is omnipresent? / do not sc
him in any place ;--show me where he is.'-Se
leone, -"Why is man punished for crimes, sine
Whatever he does proceeds from God? Man hG
Inc free wills for he cannot do any thing contrary
1.-The will of God and if he had power he would
every thing for his own good."-Third, /" How ca
God punish Satan in hell-6re, since he is formed
THAT element? And what impression can fire max
on itself?"-Thc deryise took up large clod {
earth and struck him on the head with 18th
man went to the cady and said, {" proposed thre
Questions to such dervise, who Hung clod ofeart
at my head, which made my head ache" The CO
Idly having sent for the dervise, asked, "Why di
you send cod OF earth at his head, instead of al
y .y.r;pr bic ouesiione r'2 The lerVse reDlicl
: laThe clod of earth was an answer to his speech
e he has pain in his head. lie, him shew wher
S it is, and will make God visible to him; and VIII
: does he exhibit complaint against me? VIVA
ever did was the act of God did not strike hi
i without the will of Cod: what power do possess
+! And as he is compounded Of earth, how can
d suffer pain from that element" The man WI
IS COMPOUNDED, and the cady highly pleased with tt
IS deryise's answer.