The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-03-18
From the. Massachusetts Journal.

rum Tue J1uSSuCHUSetLS journal.
YOU'VE BEEN CAPTAIN LONG ENOUGH -
Walking up Beacon-St the other day, I
met little republican corps, which amused
tsne greatly. The band consisted of four
urchlns, from six to ten years old, accou-
tired in boyish style, with pasteboard caps
and tin swords. The troop was merely
large enough to furnish Captain, Lieuten-
ant, Ensign and Trumpeter,-a pretty fair
epitome of some of our military establish
ments, all officers and no men. Being
Americans, and all in office, very natur-
ally supposed they were satisfied and hap
Ply; but my eye had not followed the
young soldiers far when perceived their
lieutenant, sturdy chap of about six years
old, make dead halt. What's the mat
ter, Bill?" called out the captain. g tell
you what, Ned, you've been captain long
enough-Pm going to be captain now %
Some alteration followed, and the re-
iractory lieutenant only vociferated the
louder" You've been captain long enough
its my turn now" A compromise was
at length happily effected; and the ambi-
tlous young officer agreed to bulge on a
few yards further, with the promise of be-
ing made captain at the end Of the street.
| laughed as the little pageant moved
out of sight. "Ths," said I, sis an abridg-
ment Of human society-this is the genuine
spirit of man." That little troop is frequent
ly brought to my mind. When | hear
politicians clustering about reform, and
Keeping up perpetual noise about evils
which every body hears of, and nobody
teels,-I say to myself "Hah your troop
would all he officers and even then the
meanest little scape-grace among We would
soon rebel from his duty, and call out,
tell ye what, Ned, it's my turn to be captain
nowr
When see lover all devotion, and a
young husband all indulgence, wonder
how long it will be before he says, 81 tell We
what, it's my turn to be captain now"
When ] hear blooming young girl ask,
7" Don't you think Miss such an one begins
to fade ?"-says l to myself, your ambitious
little heart begins to think, az won't be
lieutenant any longer"
And when | hear belle rejoice in her
rivals marriage, | wonder whether she
does not think, "I'll be captain now"
might mention hundred things, that bring
the discontinued lieutenant to nv mind !:
but torbear, lest my readers should ex-
claim' l tell ye what, you've been captain
long enough"
SUMMARY JUSTICE. Mr.. A. is a mer-
chant; does considerable business. Far
mer G. came into his store.the other day -
1t was cold one-to trade off few bush
els OF wheat. The bargain was concluded,
anu tic rarner was to take MS pay in SAT-.
The bags of wheat were brought Inland
of boIr
All at once the merchants feet were insult
fesably cold. As the grain was emptied
INTO the measure, he stamped violent
ly around ito warm his feet. The
poor farmer could not complain that the
honest merchant should wish to promote
circulation and get his feet warm, but his
grain settled perceptibly with every stamp
from Mr.. AS. feet, and the six bushels he
brought to market held out but five and
half on second measurement. Old farmers
sometimes know thing or two" Mr.. G.
said nothing, but proceeded to the measur
ing of the salt that he was to receive in nav
for his wheat. Mr. AS. feet had got warm
by this time; he was as light G on the fan
tastic :oe," as if he were walking on eggs.
No. so with the farmer. AS the salt began
to run into the half bushe has feet were
suddenly seized with the cold. BEING a
heavy man, he stamped violently. "Tut,
tut" says the merchant, "your jumping
shakes down the salt too much % Not more
than yours shook down my wheat, guess"
said the farmer. When the business was
completed there was about an even trade
between Mr.. A. and farmer G. Verify, JUS
tiee is sometimes done in the earth.
Christian Lnteligencer.