The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1841-03-04
| WISH | WERE He.
'EIAe THREE FAOrs y THE LIFE or PETER

FOLK.
Z | Eish ! sere hs!' said Peter Polk.
- ne saw The san Of rich neighbor rid
lng esily By. while Peter was irudging on
loot. Peter q this period Was about Ten
years Of age, . good bay. q tolerabIs
scholar, ola kind, willing. and obligine
disposition. But Peter could scarcely
look upon The superior comforts OF those
around him. without sometimes signing
that his own fortune was so humble.
Nov, thought Peter. show delightful
y wsuid be Tor me, instead Of uudgiag
three miles on foot 10 school, ia ride
pleasantly by on such a nice pony. L
should not be Tired when | goi there. and
could learn . great deal more With
such thoughts Peters head was filed as
he lrudged along How he should love
dear li1ile pony, and how he could ride
i, and thousand other such childish
isncies. until he got quite sad and alto.
gelher dissatisfied with his LOT.
oh. how | do wish were heT ex-
claimed Peter. Az The same moment
turning sudden corner in the road, he
discovered The young gentleman quite
dead. The poney had ran away with
him. II had thrown him off. and in fall.
ing. he had fractured bis skull and pro-
duced instant death. Surveying This sad
spectacle, Peter seriously thought that lie
was better of as be was, and iludeing
The remainder OF bis walk Tor that and
many other days without wishing Tor
pony.
Il wish ! we're her said Peter Polk.
as q, the age Of iweniy-lhree he LEI. bis
friend and old schoolmaie. Richard Jones.
They had both commenced business
a. The same time. about three years pre-
sionsly 10 this exclamation. Peter work
ed hard and indefaligably. He had
iolerable share of custom, and This had
enabled him 10 furnish two rooms in ex
ceeding comfortable style against the
time he might find a rib 10 make his
bones complete. But Richard had far
nutstripped him. He had taken a whole
house. and furnished il splendidly. He
was always flush Of money, and if any
party Of pleasure was proposed, Richard
would form one and spend bis cash free.
~, while II Peter went, which was very
rarely, he was compelled TO be exceeding
ly economical. which made him appear
very mean. Peter could not make out
how il was. Richard did not seem 10
have so much business as he had, and
must unqueslionaoly he was no. half so
attentive.
II CHANGED that Peter had al one time
large order 10 execute; and requiring
some cash TO complete il, he proceeded
to Richard who advanced him fifty dol
lars on his note. He executed The order,
got paid. and took up his hat TO proceed
10 Richard to pay him.
What lucky fellow he is, cried Pc
ter, 10 be able TO serve an old school
fellow. Oh, wish | we're he!'
Just as he uttered this exclamation a
public officer entered and requested Pc.
ter 10; accompany him to the police Of
fiee. stating that he had warran. for his
apprehension. Peter was ihunderstruck.
lie had done no one wrong that he was
aware OF. In vain he asked upon what
charge he was arrested. The officer was
silent, and thus they proceeded together
10 the police. Peer underwent a private
examination as 10 where he got EGO
note which was proved 10 be counterfeit
and traced TO him. Peter stated Of Rich
ard Jones, lis friend. He was then more
vigorously examined as to his connection
with that individual, and he slated all he
knew. how he had helped him, and how
he added, | ofteu wished | were he!'
'Young man. said the magistrate, Il
believe you. You shall now see the
man whose situation you SD much envy
Peter was now conducted along gale
ries and winding staircases to an isolated
building which contained long row Of
cells. Two doors securing one Of these
were unlocked. and Peter confronted lis
tenant-Richard Jones. He was one Of
a gang of forgers, and confessed TO lend
ing The identical bill to Peter which was
traced to him. Peter. as he left the drea-
nv abode of crime, thanked God hearth
" that he was not Richard jones, and
returned TO his humble tenemen. with
most heartfelt, gratitude for all the bless
ings he possessed.
II wish were he' exclaimed Peter
two wears after the last event. Ii SEEM
ed somehow or other that Peters expe-
rience had gone for nought, and he could
not get rid Of his wishing. Ye. he had
perhaps more occasion to indulge in this
wish than at any former period. The
OCCASION was this:
Peter had long been enamored Of a We.
ry pretty. and wha. was still better. Of a
very good gill, but some how or other he
did not make much advance. He was
always kindly received and warmly well
coined, and The young lady's brother. as
we'll as her father aud mother. were de-
cidedly partial to him. Whether i. was
his modesty, or that he believed he was
not beloved again, certain it lie that he had
never spoken Of love, excep. with his
eyes, and tina, delicious awkwardness SC