Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-08-02
From the Boston Transcript.
IF | WERE,

IL L w
1t is very apt to be the case. that a man would
do great many good things if he were so aud so
sllngted but that troublesome word it, is apt To
interfere with his good Intentions. Ills probes
SONS are OF the most patriotic and praiseworthy
kind and he would be the most kind he arted, the
most generous, the most benevolent mau in the
world, if it were not for certain things which in
tcrvene to prevent the fuilnent of his noble de
signs.
II | were n merchant, says one, | would always
transact my business in the most honorable way,
would never take advantage OF another, would
deal honestly with all, | would gain the respect of
all, would accumulate "A fortune, and | would
leave my children independent of The world.
If | were farmer would devote my whole
attention to the cultivation of the soil, ] would
raise the largest crops of wheat, the greatest num-
Der of bushels o! potatoes the acre, the largest
cabbage heads, and would have the neatest aud
best managed farm in the town.
If were rich man ! would appropriate all
my surplus income to charitable purposes.
IL ! were II lawyer l would always plead the
cause of the poor and oppressed, and would de-
duct IA large amount OF the fees for my services.
would go against oppression in all cases whel-
er It would subserve my interest or not. | would
act for The general good Of mankind regardless of
seli-interest; would make my own emulument
secondary to that of Nil others.
II were tailor would not take more than
'" VI CHUuHgti anu l WONll III
ways have garment done and sent home at the
time promised it,
IL | were physician, | would always attend
upon the poor gratis and would not charge half
so much for feeling the pulse or extracting Il tooth
as the regular practitioners DO. | would devote
my time and strvices for The benefit of the public
generally.
II | were II mechanic, | would devote all my
time TO my profession, and would always pune
tuny execute all the orders sent 10 me-
IL ! were Il soaplock, | would have the scissors
apfhed to my hair al cnce, and not suffer myself
TO appear like a hermit shaggy beur or a thief
who has lost his ears and strives to cover The paris
where ihey ought to br, with superintendent
quantity of capillary ornaments.
If | were n Indy, would he attending to the
domestic concerns of the household und not wal
king The Streets endeavoring to attract the atten-
ION OF The Eeaiix, and spinning street yarn when
ought to he spinning stocking yarn AT home.
IL were an editor, | would write TO please
myself as well ms my customers, so far as | was
nGle, without the expectation of always doing the
one or the other
always pay for ii punctuay, and never find fault
because II sometimes happened that there was no
thing IN II which particularly interested me-es-
pcclay, when there was nothing to put in it.
1t were born with gold spoon in my mouth
would hold on upon il, and not exchange it for IL
pewter or an iron one.
But that little word IF is apt to he in the way,
and to dSconcer all ones good intentions aud
charitable actions, and if ii were not so frequent
y made provi>o and base to good actions, ma.
ny more deeds OF charity might lie accomplished,
Ii is often an excuse for not performing what char
iy w0"d demand, what common sense would
dictate, what n sense OF duty would require. II
were suaed so and so, would do a vast deal
OF good; but it is often the case that man can
do good deeds and acts Of charity, which he pre-
tends he would u he were differently situated.
But without amy more ifs or dndS, it is certain
we can often do good deed when we don't, and
y is kind of general excuse for not doing as we
ought.