Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-06
THE UNHAPPY MAN

THE UNHAPPY MAN
1t has been the remark of some poet,
that the bee draws honey from a flower,
while the spider will light upon it and ex-
Llact poison. Il is thus with men; some
will go through any trouble, witness the
wreck of their property; the less Of their
friends; be surrounded with all the ten
thousand vexations Of human life; yet
gather knowledge from their misfortunes,
and feel happy that they are no worse.
They turn their meditations rather 10 the
blessings than tho cares OF the world;
and when they retire at night TO their
family, they talk, laugh, amnse them
selves and all around them with a flow OF
pure sport determined TO be happy
and are so. Thefe are other men who
are exactly the reverse. They take a
deal Of trouble to find out the miseries
around them, and brood over every care
with gloomy ill-natured disposition, that
marks them for misanthropists. Such a
one is my friend. He is the most miser-
able being ever saw. With strong
mind, and proud spirit, he easily discov-
ers what he considers the imperfectipns
of mankind, and seems really too naughty
to be happy.
The other day / took the trouble 10
ask him why it was that he never enjoy
ed the things Of this world, and was SO
wonderfully troubled with the blue devils,
"Why," said he, '1'if 'tetf--yuU- tFiiIrtt II
is: / don't know the reason but ever
since | can remember, have been a
most unhappy man. Look around you"
said he, contracting his brow and draw
ing his person, as if he felt the most su-
preme contempt for every thing in the
world; "look around you. and behold all
the cheating and hypocrisy Of this miser-
able-miserable world, See thai store,
which its owner has bedecked with gau-
dy grapes, and all the fnery Of Vomap's
wardrobe-with Leghorn hats large
enough oturn the wheel Of Windmill,
aud velvet cloaks 10 set off some foolish
creature who thinks she is more besutiful
because she is extravagant. He has
purchased those things cheap by cyying
down their merits, and now he will palm
them off for double their value by pfais-
ing the things he has just condemned.
Faughl who can feel pleasure in a scene
like this9 would kill myself, but that
were foolish; though can hardly endure
life; for it is but succession Of sorrows.
We have hopes that are blasted--affec
tions that are betrayed, Joys that are
fleeting, and pains that last forever" r
He paused, and we walked on few
moments, when he continued" they
talk Of amusements, ] went once to the
theatre, to see a great actor perform a
favorite part. When first entered, |
thought the house was beautiful and
splendid, took the pains 10 examine
and found the pictures we're coarse, much
Of the architecture was painting, and the
splcndur of the building was all sham. |
turned away in disgust, and awaited the
rising Of the curtain. The play COM
menced: and, 10 say the truth, i was at
first much pleased; but when / Tecollec-
ted that the tears and laughter were but
introduced for the occasion; the light.
ming was powder, aud instead Of real ell
evated thunder, crashing its mighty way
along vaulted sky, we had sons black
fingered supeTnumerary beating a large
drum, was ashamed to be interested in
such ridiculous stuff. There was aro-
mantle forest with handsome aoor--and
huge rocks that, If any one touched,
shook like an aspen leaf saw aman's
arm behind the scene pushing along with
the greatest ease mighty castle, for
tress, tower, outhouses, and surrounding
grounds; with some fine misty noun
taiGs, lifting up their heads in cloudy
sky. All these absurdities entirely de-
stroyed The pleasure Of the evening, and
! went home with heart heavier than
when | came. Nothing can pleas me.
never can be contelted with the fashions
Of the day. The vary day itself is oHun
disagreeable il is either too hot 81 too
cold; there Is too much sunshine, and
the light hurts my eyes; or il Is as gloo-
my IS 1 dungeon, Sometimes ] have
been tired with the world, snafglad 10
catch 4 little repose during Tie night,
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