Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-03-08
WHAT A CURSEl

ara Dut one OF tne thousand facts that darken
the annals of American Intemperance:
WHAT A CURSE!
OR JOHN HODGES, THE BLACKSMITH.
The doctor is kind man., said Johnny
Hodges, addressing person of respectable
appearance, who was in the act of return
ing to his pocket. book physicians bill,
which the blacksmith did not find it conven-
lent to pay. The doctor is kind man,
very kind man, and has earned his mon-
ey, dare say, and don't begrudge him
shilling of it all but, for all that, have not
the means of paying his bill, nor any part
of it, just now well, WE'LL said the col.
lector, | shall be this way before long, and
will call on you again.
Johnny Hodges thanked him for the in
diligence, and proceeded with his work but
the hammer swung heavily on the anvil, and
many a long sigh escaped, before the Job on
hand was fairly turned of.
Three or four times already the collector
had paid visit to the blacksmith's shop,
who was always ready to admit the Justice
of the claim, and that the doctor had been
very kind and attentive, and had earned his
money; but Johnny was always behind
hand; and though full of professions of graf
itude to the good doctor, yet the Doctors
bill seemed not very likely to be paid. Fa-
miiarity, saith the old proverb, breeds con-
tempt. This old saw is not apt to work
more roughly, in any relation of life, than
between the creditor, or the creditors agent
and the on-performing debtor. The pur-
suing power is apt to become importunate,
and the pursued to grow gradually callous
and Indifferent. Upon the present occasion
however, the collector who was benevolent
man, was extremely patient and forbearing.
He had sufficient penetration to perceive,
that poor Johnny, from some canse or 9th.
CIR, was exceedingly mortified and panied,
by these repeated applications. 1t did not
however, escape the suspicious of the COL
lector, that there might be certain secret
cause, for Johnny's inability to pay the doc
tors bill. lntemperance is exhibited in q
great variety Of notifications. While some
individuals are speedily reused into violent
and dsorderly action, or hushed in Sum-
Der, and reduced to the condition of help
less and harmless man others provided
with heads of iron and leathern skins, are
equally incorporate, yet, scarcely, for ma
ny years, present before the world the
slightest personal indication of their habitu-
al indulgence.
Johnny Hodges was an excellent work.
man, and he had abundance of work. II
was not easy to account for such an ap.
preparation of his earnings as would leave
him not enough for the payment of the doc
tors bill upon any other supposition than
that of wasteful and sinful employment OF
them, for the purchase of strong drink
Johnny's countenance, to be sure, was ex-
tremely pale and sallow; but the pale.fac.
ed tippler is, by no means, an uncommon
spectacle. On the other hand, Johnny was
very industrious, constantly in his shop or
working hours, and busily employed.
After an interval Of several weeks, the
collector called again, and put the custom
airy question, Well, Mr.. Hodges, can yol
pay the doctors bill Perhaps there wa
something unusually hurried or importunat'
or Johnny so thought, in making the inqui
~. Johnny was engaged in turning
shoe, and he hammered it entirely out o
shape. He laid down his hammer ant
tongs, and for few seconds rested hi
cheek upon his hand. 4 don't know how
can pay the doctors BILL said Johnny Hold
ges. 'Pve nothing here in the shop, bu
my tools and a very little stock and Nv
nothing at home but our scanty furniture
| know the Doctors bill ought to be paid
and if he will take it, he shall be welcome 4
our COW, though have five little childre
; wholive upon the milk mo, no, Hodges
said the collector, you are much mistake
if you suppose the doctor, who is christia
and kind-hcarted man, would take you
I cow or Cypress you at all, for the amour
of his bill. But how is it that you, VIII
have always so much work, have never {
) ny money! 'Ah, sir said Johnny Hoo
' gcs, while he wiped the perspiration frol
!, his face, for he was hard working man
!, 'Ah, SIR said he, what curse it is ca
: nothing be done to put stop to this lnten
1 perance hear great deal of the eifor
they are making but still the rum buslno
goes on. If it were not for the temptation
!, to take strong drink, | should do well
,, nough; and the good doctor should n
u have sent twice the amount of his bill. v
ry few of those who write and talk so mu,
Of intemperonce, know any thing Of our q