The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-01-26
Prom the Garland OF the West
THE TWO FRIENDS ; OR
WAYS AND ENDS.
A story Of Truth and Moral.

n eAof " 4 lNAA Gnu AAot as
Dr.. Franklin's maxim, "Take care
OF the pence and the pounds will
take care Of themselves" was not
sounder principle Of economy, nor its
truth better illustrated by his dislin-
guished career, than take care Of
the minutes and the days will take care
Of themselves" 1t is by VISITING the
"odd change" 6ftlme that the estate Of
our lives runs to waste. The right
use Of their leisure time should not
be regarded by young people as Sec
ond in importance, to that Of any por-
ton Of their lives. With those whose
Circumstance will not allow them 10
devote any considerable portion Of
their time 70 the cultivation Of their
minds as business, these odd snatch
es are almost their only dependence
for the great purpose Of storing their
minds with information and Of imprO-
wing their understandings BY study and
reflection. This recourse, however,
is ofmuch more value than most young
people imagine the same money they
would waste ia the empty grA liication
Of their momentary desires, were they
accustomed 10 devote their unemploy-
ed moments and hours 10 what is falsely
termed the pursuit Of pleasure, would
furnish them the means, aud those mo-
ments and hours an opportunity, great
er beyond measure than they are aware
or for laying In their n iBds a deep
and broad stratum ofthorough informa-
ton, good habits and sound sense, than
which there is no sufer foundation on
which to rear a useful and respectable,
and probably, an exalted and hono-a.
bic character.
So much BY way Of a sort Of prela-
tory essay, kind reader, aud ] will in
troduce you to the 1.-TWO friends,
with whom promised you an ccquain-
tsnce in my caption.
"Well John, this afternoon is your
6wn, is il not and fine one it is too,
bonry May has done her prettest, |
have called TO see if you would like TO
improve it 10 a fide to c. A
few boys Of Us were going that way
and ] would like 10 have you along.
Fine roads, 6ne company, good hor-
ses, and lots Of fuu what say you, my
dear fellow :"
Such was the invitation that Frank
Gregor proffered 10 his friend John
H; and a right hard one it would
have been for most young men in SINH
lar circumstances 10 have refused.
John had worked faithfully during
the whole week 10 complete his task,
and it was uow'(Saturday noon) Just
completed. A pleasant ride Of ten or
fifteen miles in the county, with the
accompaniment above named, would
have been just the diversion prescribed
by most young men as necessary 10
recruit their spirits, and a recreation
they would have thought well deserv-
ed BY their application 10 business du-
ring the week. The relative condi-
tons Oi.lhe two young men also rem
dered The temptation peculiarly strong.
Frank was dashing clerk in one Of
the most fashionable stores, John an
humble apprentice in a respectable
shoe shop, in the village. Frank was
the admired leader Of club Of "5oas
UtUaHs," as gay set Of young larks as
ever resolved to give the reins to their
desires and take a tilt in the tourna.
ment Of pleasure, before their blood
became cooled and they settled down
in the common everyday character,as
they styled it, Of the steady man oI
business aud good citizen, a fellow
full Of jests and "bons mots," gay as
the breeze, the lie and the soul Of the
wine party, and the social frolic while
John was retired and sober in bis man.
ners, had few associates and but one
or two intimate friends. There was
moreover a franknes OF manners
whole-souled expression Of frolic and
gles 10 Franks address made him az
almost irresistible tempter. You seem
ed to catch from bis manner a fore
taste Of the coming spree-it shone il
his eye, his voice, and in bis Who'll,
air when addressing you so that th'
mind was scarcely less fitted for refu
sci than 10 the excitement Of the hou
Of revelry.
Could yon have'resistsd reader
But John did resist-and, despit