Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-01-06

few weeks since, respectable gentleman
of Plalnfeld had occasion to take Journey to
the eastward and not finding it convenient to
take with him the whole of the "gIittering DUST
which composed part OF his earthly treasure,
he deposit ed it, for safe keeping, in a desk in
his bed room, as is very often the case with
those who have any thing of he kind to depo-
sit Now it so happened (strange as i; may
appear) that a certain good-nstured fellow,
who had not an abundance OF the "root OF evil"
determined to do his neighbor kindness, and
relieve him from the trouble OF counting so
much trash. Fearing that the owner might,
from desIe not to give unnecessary trouble to
his friends, decline his offered services. he re-
solved to improve this opportunity, and execute
his intended plan OF benevolence IN the absence
of the master OF the house.
The motives by which a man is actuated in
the performance Of charitable action, may
sometimes be inferred from the time and man.
ner in which it is done. Our hero determining
ssnot to let his left hand know what his right
was doing" commenced his operations in the
silent watches of the night, lest some might say
he did it "to be seen OF men, He repaired to
the house, placed himself at the window OF the
bed room, and attempted to affect an entrance;
but owing to some unforeseen circumstances,
he was compelled to defer the further prosecu-
ton of bis scheme until the next night, when he
returned with fellow -lsborer in the good work.
In the mean time, the lady OF the house, ha-
wing been alarmed by the visit OF the preceding
evening, resolved not to stay alone IN The house
the second night She accordingly requested
the assistance OF a nelghborlnB Quaker, who,
as the night advanced, took his station in the
room containing the precious metals, while the
lady occupied another part OF The house
As was anticipated, in the silence OF the md
i. !, nf .arfr emit raC
raised, and the body Of man proruded about
bali its lensth into the room. At this critical
luncture, while the man was struggling to gain
complete adniittance, the benevolent feelings OF
cur friend the Quaker, were called INTO eXer-
else. He calmly rose from his bed and, like a
man determined to render every assistance IN
his COVER, seize d the struggling wight by the
hair, and exclaimed, in the enthusiastic iervor
of his benevolent Soul, "Friend. I'm help thee
I'M" Now, wbetaer there was preconcerted
signal as was the case with the veteran Sho
entered the VOLTS den, we are not able 10 say
BE that as II may, however, our netos associate,
-sho was stationed without the window, taxing
instant alarm, chung to the heels OF his suffering
friend, and endeavored to extrIcate hlfn from
his perous situation. And now. had sumo ms
chievous wag been preseat, who was lover q
fun he might have enjoy ed It to his hearts con-
tent. To see q Quaker al one end Of living
man. and a stout jonathan at the other, both
pulling with all their might, must have been
rare sport indeed. For some time the issue OF
the con, st remained doubtiul--it was uncertain
which would prove the strongest man AT
length, however. the hair to which the Quaker
had grapped his fingers, lost its hold OF the
skin and the man without gained the victory
next morning man was seen N the
reislbo'hood who had suddenly become bad
The locks OF hair left in the possession OF the
Quaker. compared 50 exactly with the htdr e
Tlainiag On Tie mans head, That he was imme-
r,'ste,y deposited IN Wiedham jan, til tue p'o-
per asJhofi,ies might ascertain With certainty
the RIGHT owner 81 the hair .nl"o,.
'rThat viii break proul mans heart, which
viii secrecy break humble u,,t > steep, and
ii is CERTAIN tbat MANY Oh the troubles Of l,