The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-17
SELECTED TALES.

Two negatives, they say, makes an afir-
NATIVE. Therefore, | think il safe TO sup
pose thut Paul Plants father and mother
must have been as negative a pair as ever
came together, for Paul was the most sffir-
NATIVE man that has yet been heard of.
lie always said "yes" to every thing that
was said, proposed, suggested, insipuated,
or limited To him. He was a true 4" admin
istraiion man, under all governments, new
er being in the opposition. He WAS one Of
those over polite, over-good natsred, oh-bc-
ensy, acquiescent norisls, who seem 10 be
sent into the world for no other psrposc
than to show how much IA man may suffer
for want of little contrary mindednes.
" No doubt it," with all my heart"
Very happy to oblige you" Ea,irely
at your service" "Oh yes" "Oh yes."
" Oh yes" Such were Pnul's constant re-
plies. As to saying "no," it was ms impos-
siblc to get it out, as Macbeth's Amen ="
When he had most need Of denying, il
stuck in his throat" | don't know that
he ever sat in the Legislature, but | am
sure that if he ever did, when the "yeas
not have cried " Me pOsTaiam" in the Pol
ish diet, if the words could have demolish.
ed the partition treaty. Though he WAS
not in the opposition, yet think it hardly
correct to call him Jackson man, for he
never vetoed any thing in his life, unless,
in the style of the honest country represen-
taiive. Mr.. Speaker, | shall give my
veto in tdUor Of this bill" In short, Paul
was the very pink Of assentients an incarna-
tion of mem. con.
Now this is very good character for ~
man To beor-on some accounts, for it gets
one the reputation of n good-natured fell
low: and ne the world commonly pretends
to have q high opinion Of a good naiured
fellow, and according to the proverb, 60
pnlon is the queen Of the world" the rea-
der may think Paul must have had hap
py time of it. No such thing. Pnul's good
nature brought him into mere embarrass.
ments and veXations than if he had been
the crossest cur that ever snarled. | speak
no, of lending umbrelIas-',is the lot oi
mortality. To lend money is about the
same, though money lent sometimes comes
hack. But who would believe tina, a good
natured man, merely by reason vi his good
nature, aud for no other fault under the
sun, could be led through such IA rignaro
dance, Of adventure by the perversity Of
fortune, that he fought duel and almost
married a widow
The widow Wilful was lady Of GER
tain age, she had made the best Of iiu,e,
nnd time returned the compliment. She
huA bad Mt hn lnSc <,f har
good man-so she protested, and | cannot
help thinking she spoke the truth, for she
tried very bard to get another However,
this did not prove so easy n matter, for al
though the widow was not without charms,
the men were shy. What could be the
reasonl She gave splendid parties, and
had sparks and danglers wi,hout number,
but it was never a match. What could be
the reason The reader will ask again.
1t i. not exactly my business to tell, as the
story will be plain enough without it, and
it the reader cannot guess, 1t would not
much help him to let out the whole mystery.
"This is truly delightful" said Paul, enc
evening, to the widow, IS he leaned his arm
over the hack Of The chair, worked his face
ur To the biandest Of all his ncquiescent
sales, and essayed some fiat,ering compl-
menl concerning The widows fine entertain
ment. This is truly delightful so much
hilsrity and cheerfulness--so many happy
faces. love to look sn them"
Paul inadvertently raised his eyes rs he
uttered these words, and at The close Of the
speech was looking straight into the Wild
ow's face. He meant not the least harm 10
the world but the widow pretended to
blush. She pursed up her pretty mouth.
oh, Mr.. Plant, you arc a great hatierer |;
but we know you are honest. You never
say one thing aud mean nnoihcr."
Certainly, by al means, my dear madam.
But really, Sir. Plant, INV dear sir,
when q gentleman tells q lady ths, he loves
to look on her, you know, that really is .ig-
nihcant"
"oh yes. certainly you nre quite right,
madam"
Well, you are frnrk, Mr. Plant, and I
shall certainly give you credit for sincerity.
Another man might say ten times as much
and should never think Of regarding it /;
but know can rely upon the word Of 50
honorable n gentleman os Mr.. Paul Plant"
Rely upon my word surely ysu msy,
Mrs. wiiful." ] should be sorry f." ="
"Oh, don't mention it my dear sir I
never doubted for moment certainly you
never would have limited anything like an
attachment uuless you had been sincere"
Certainly, na'am," replied Paul, in
great smszement, with the conjecture how
he had been so unlucky as to say more than
he meant; Tor Paul would as svon have
thought of jumping out Of a stespls rs Of
telling widow WilfuI he felt an attachment
for her. CcnaisI,, by oil means" he