The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-05-09
From the Imperial Magazine.

Hereford, about hity years ago. iiN-
ed farmer of the IA q Of IL r is
lie was extremely shrcNd, indus
trious. and fortunate ; he earnestly
desired, and eargerly graspcd after,
riches Providence favoured his
cndca,ors. and they flowed into his
bosom in full stream Of copious n,
bundancc. The love of lucre took
fast hold upon him, and gold became
the beloved idol of hs soul. Avari.
cious and penurious tn hateful de-
gree. be possessed no friends for
his relations dislikcd. his neighbours
avoided, and his dependents detcstcd
him. Among other prominent fea-
lures of his ayariCious character,
was one for which lie was particu-
larry remark able. that of exaCting
strength.-W hen the revolving year
had covered his fields with n plen-
teous harvest, when the reapers
were gathering in the golden grain,
often would our farmer ride mp To The
field. alight from his horse, tie il 10
the gate, and (stripping off his coa)
set 10 work with the reapers there
he would work most lnboriously for
half an hour or an hour, constantly
urging his men both by precept and
example, to do the like. Then he
suddenly depa ted. but. IA though a.
bout TO return ina few minutes. left
his coat aud horse behind him at the
gate /; while his labourers, expecting
him shortly to appear, either to
praise their diligence or reproye
their sloth, still continued to work as
when he was present with them and
in this way farmer Harris cxulting-
" exclaimed, " My horse and coat
will do ten mcns' work, while am
fifteen or twenty miles off doing bu-
siness at some noighbouring mar
kct."
But notwithstanding his avaricc
farmer Harris once exhibited "A re-
mark able instance of generosity, He
sent an invitation to many of the
surrounding farmers and wealthy
men TO come and dine with him at "A
certain hour upon an appointed
day. All wondered what this could
mean. but none of the invited were
absent ut the appointed time, for
they all concluded that as he was
never before known TO invite such
a company, they certainly should be
most splcndidly entertained. Ia
ger with curiosity, and anxious with
expectation, they were ushered into
the dining room. But, to their ut.
ter amazement and chagrin, they
found only very plain dinner pro
disContentcd minds d
fallen countenanCes, they seated
round the table. Nut
ton, potatoes, and table beer com
posed the dinner, and the drinking
cups were 80 arranged, that one
served for two persons. With the
hopes Of a good dinner their appe-
tltes had fed. They ate very spar
ingly, and dispersed Immediately
after, for neither their host nor
their wills pressed longer stay
and, whilst riding home"ards, they
severely reflected upon themselves
for accepting the invitation Of n mi
ser, from whom they had no reason
to expect better entertainment.
Not long after, farmer ii. sent
them second invitation to dine
lhcy spurned it with Indignation,
protesting they would never enter
into his doors again. Thus rudcly
repused, the farmer turned to his
poor neighbours he invited twenty
of the small farmers Of the vicinity,
that were in narrow circumstances.
and of whom many had large fam
lies. Now they had heard Of the
treatment of his former guests, YET
they consented TO give him their.
company. They were not too proud
to partakc Of the humble provision
which they fully expected. They as
scmbled at his houses e. wer ereceived
by him with hearty welcome and
a cordial shake Of the hand and
being speedily introduced into the
dining-room, they seated themselves
at the table. But the dinner was
concealed from their view every
dish was covered, the very plates set
opposite each man were covered.
They were confoundcd with the sim
gularity Of the scene. But their as
constituent was yet more increased,
when their host thus spoke: "My