The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-04-02
From the Essays Of Poor Robert The Scribe.
WHO'LL TURN GRINDSTONE

| From the Essays Of Poor Robert The Scribe
WHO'LL TURN GRINDSTONE
When was IA little lboy, Messrs. Printers
remember one cold winters morning, l was &c
cosed by smiling man, with nm axe on hi
shoulder, my pretty boy, said he, has your faith
or grindstone !? Yes, sir, said !. you arr
fine little fellow, said he, twill you let me grinC
my axe OH it p Pleased with his compliment
of fine little fellow 80 yes, sir, ] answere d. Il
is down in the shop And will you, my man,
said he, patng me on the head, get little no
water q How could refuse ? l ran and sooi
brought a kettle full How old are you, ant
what's your name g continued he, without wal
ing for reply Il am sure you are one Of The
finest lads that have ever seen, will you jus
turn few minutes for me p Tickled with the
flattery, like little fool, went to work, and
bitterly did | rue the day. 1t was new axe
and toed,and tugged,till was almost tired to
death. The school bell rung, and l could not
get away my hands were bstered, and it was
not half ground. AT length, however, the axe
was sharpened and the man turned to me with
Now you little rascal, you've played the truant--
scud to school, or you'll buy it, Alas, thought
/, it was hard enough to turn grndstone, this
cold day but now to be called 'little rasca,
was too much. 1t sunk deep in my mind, and
often have thought of it since.
When see merchant, over polite to his
customers-hegging them 10 taste little brandy
and throwing half his goods on the counter
thinks l, that man has an are TO grind.
When see man of doubtful character pat
urg a girl on the cheek-praising her sparkling
eye and ruby lip, ard giving her a SLY squeeze
beware my girl, thinks /, or you will find to
your sorrow, that you haze been turning grind
stone for riltan.
When see man flatterng the peope--mak-
ing great professions Of attachment to liberty,
who is in private life tyrant-methinks look
out good people, that IeILoso ,0ouLd set yow turn
ing grindsione.
When see a man hoised into office by par
ty sprit-without single qualification to render
him either respectable useiu-alas! methinks
deluded people, you are doomed for q season to
turn grindstone for BOBBY
0T@We copy the following extracts from am
article entitled "scenic and characteristic out
lines" of Congress from the National Magazi,e,
published at Washington
Henry A. WISE. Upon several very grea,
occasions, requiring physical and mental intre.
pdity, Mr. Wise has achieved to himself very
great admiration. Coming into Congress a
friend OF the Jackson Administration, he contin-
ued to yield to its measures his support, until he
found that the promises of reform made at the
Inaugural were not intended to be fulfilled, and
then it was that he became an opponent of the
Administration. The change of position dis
PEELED the deIusion that had msled his mind land
with every energy in,ful and powerful action he
commenced his glorious and intrepid attack up.
on the corupons of Government With Bal
ley Peyton, of Tennessee, and man Of his own
age ana hgure, and now, unfortunately, out of
Congress,he formed strong and intimate friend
snip. Peyton was fearless, and eloquent, and
powerful young man. His noble counienance
S present to our memory as if the man himself |
was here, and we fancy that his sonorous voice |
S ringing in our ears. These two young men,
10
stepped into the arena aud challenged the Adj
with investigation. Day bv day
Wise and Peyton Numbered their accusations
nto the ears of tho House, and finally, a com
IliItee was rased--a packed committee; and we
u remember how their abors were frustrated
" the special pleaders of the Administration
Who sat upon it. Wise, delicately made man,
ad to go armed, least he should bewayiaid
etween his lodgings and the committee
oons.
To persons living in the country, amid the
armony OF nature, laped in peace, this may be
lartiing intelligence, but it is true. Could we
eVeal the secrets of our prison, we could tell
ow clerks in the Departments while General
nckson was President, went at midnight, under t
is9ulse, to the rooms of Wing members, then g
nd there TO tell where laid the fraud and where q"
lrked the assassin r
We deem it necessary to add an anecdote of g
If Wise, that will illustrate his position when n
e was so avishIy abused for violence of con v
uct, and for going armed to the halls of egisla o
on. v
There boarded n certain loco foco mess two ii
1nters ago, at n certain house OH Pennsylvania h
venue, kept by fanntcal, crazy Office holder Il
his mess made it their constant practice to Y
'eak at their dinner-nbe, in presence Of this ii
IAN, of the course and character Of MIR Wise 6
igmatizing him by every ephet that couid ex- il
tie dernnged temper. They said, that ne II
ight 20 be put ont OF the way, and then the "
'untry would he at pence. The man listened e.
all these remarks and determined forthwith to i
d the country ofso dangerous monster, as "A VI
ltriot. ~
One night, as Mr. Wise passing from his p
dying room to that where some friends were tf
elected, across the passage, he was met By a
an who snd he was in quest of Mr. Wise. 81 IN
n Mr. Wise" replied that gentleman, "what do III
III want " 81 want to see You privately, Said he
e stranger Mr. Wise told Shim to come into in
e room where his friends were, where he to
uld disclose his purpose. can" said the ba