The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-07-20
From the .Neao York Mirror.
THE CIRCLE OF HUMAN WISHES

BY J. X. PAuLDING.
When Horatio was a little boy at school he
was always wishing himself young man, for
then, thought he, | shall not be obliged to be
for eve at my boob, land live in constant fear of
the schSomaster'
Whn he became young man, he left school
with delightful anticipatons of the freedom and
pleasures he was about to enjoy But from
school he was placed in the office Of great law.
yer, fall ofbusness, and from morning till night.
he was employed in copying the same thing
over and over again.
wonder, he often said to himself wonder
what's the use of telling the same story so Of
ten. | wish to heaven | was out of my time,
and then should be my own MASTER
AT last his time was out. He passed exam
inatiOn, opened an Office, and wrote ESQUIRE to
his mime. Here he would sit whole mornings.
with his feet against the fender or lambs, wait
ing for clients-but no clients came
wish TO heaven, he would sigh to himself,
had something to do.
In process of years he distinguished himself
as speaker, and business flowed in upon him,
until he had hardly time to sleep, or eat his
meals.
BOUNDS J. cried he, one might as we'll be
school,, they are so happy, no business to trouble
But as it was impossible to become a school,
boy, again, Horatio turned his thoughts towards
the future, and began 10 wish he was rich
enough 10 retire from business, and be gen
teman.
Years passed on, and at length he became
rch SO rich that he thought he might leave
ofpractice and enjoy himself Accordingly he
did leave off practice, and for a little while it
was delightful to have nothing to do, and go
where he pleased, But doing nothing tires
man at last. 1t is the hardest work imaginable
WISH said Horatio one day, as he was per
picking himself to death 20 know what he should
do, wish had something to employ me-
All at once he was seized with desire to be
great man. As we advance in years the love
of wealth often changes TO the desire of power
He entered on the arena of politics, and his ell.
oquence soon elevated him to distinction. He
rose to the highest Offices in the State, and at
length, saw nobody above HIM.
WELL thought he, | have it at last. | am
the greatest among the great, and now | shall
be able to enjoy myself. In the first place,
shall do just as please
At that moment his secretary came to an
nounce a person on business
Il am not inclined TO see any body just now /;
tell him to call again.
But, sir, it is man of great consequence,
and one OF your best friends, he may be offend
ed.
Very well, let him come in
The man consequence entered, talked three
whole hours about the politics of his district,
and ended by soliciting an insignificant appoint
mont either for himself or somebody else
well, said Horatio, thank heaven he's
gone. I'll go and take a ride into the country
before dinner
Just as he had ordered his horse, the secreta-
ry came in to announce another person of con-
sequence, who had very particular business,
and whom it would be bad policy to offend
After few wry faces from Horatio, he was lei
in.
The visitor being knowing character sat a
long time, became very facetious, cracked
jokes, told excellent stories, and when he had
tired Horatio to death, thought he had brought
him into a humor to do any thing he desired
Accordingly he begged his interest in behalf Of
the people he represented in favor of a great
public improvement. Horatio had been spe.
cially instructed by divers old statesmen to give
good words if he could give nothing else. So
he hattered him with good words, and the know
ing gentleman went his way chucking at his
happy knack of bringing great men into the
humor of granting Iavors.
| never met such tiresome blockEead,
quoth Horatio. 'I'll make it point to oppose
his application.
1t was too late to ride out before dinner, and
he sat down to his meal without appetite, think
ing he would have the afternoon to himself, at
all events. By the time he had dined, there
were six people waiting to see him on particu-
lar business II would not do to offend them
| and besides he was the servant of the people
The particular business of each was to beg some
particular favor. Horatio felt in an excellent
humor for denying them all. But this would
be impolitic so he promised them all.
What tedious business = said he. But
shall have comfortable evening at all events.
! In tho evening visitors dropped in. one after
another, until he had quite levec. Every one
tried to make himself particularly agreeable
for each had favor to ask and they talked sc
much that Horatio thought he had sworn o
bees in his ears. After he had yawned three