The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-11-14
PELEG W. PONDER;
OR, THE POLITICIAN wITRoT A SIDE.
BY JOSEPH C. NEAL.


OR, THE POLITICIAN WITHOT A SIDE.
BY JOSEPH c. NEAL. |
Behold him, as he puzzles the of the State
Election, abGing in vain to satisfy his mind tile result
OF the approaching Presidential contest
IT is curious thing-an unpleasant thing-a very
Embarrassing sort of thing g-b1t the truth must be told
il not at all times at least some times and truth now
compes tie declaration, that Peeg W. Ponder let him
travel in any way, cannot arrive at any conclusion He
never had one of his own. He scarcely knows con-
clusion even If he should chance to one belonging
to other people. And, as for reaching result, he
would never be able to do it. if he could stretch like
giraffe. Results are beyond his compass. And his mis-
fortune is perhaps hereditary his mothers having
been Mrs. Perplexity Ponder, whose eaithly career
came to an end, while she was in dubftation as to
which of the various physicians OF the place should be
taeo in. If there had been only one doctor in town.
Peiplexity Ponder might have been saved But there
were many; and what coud perplexiy do in such a
case? .... .... . t.., ...-.
Ponder's farther was run o1et by wagon as he
stood debating with himself in the middle Of the read,
whether he should escape forward retreat backward
There were two methods Of exrication, and between
them both old Ponder became victim. How then
could their wofy son. Peeg be expec ted 10 arrive at
a coneiusioif He never does.
Yet, for ones general comfort and particular happi-
hess there does not appear 10 be any faculty desi
Table than the power of "makng Up tie mind" Right
Or wrong it saves deal Of war and tear; and pre-
vents an infinite variety OF trouble. Commend ts to the
individual who closes upon propositions like nutcrack
er.- whose promptness Of way has sledge- hammer
way with it, and hits nails continually on the head
Genius may may be brilliant-talent commanding; but
what is genius or what is talent iii lack that which
may call the clinchiug faculy-if hesilaes, veers
and fuers-sufers opportunity 10 pass, and stumbles
at occasion? To reason well is much, no doubt; but
reason loses the race if it sits in meditation on the fence
when competition rushes by.
Under the best Of circumstances, something must be
left to hazard. Thets is chance in all things. No
man lculae adds in the affairs of lille as to en-
sure certainty. The screws and nchpins necessary
to our purpose have not the naexibility Of fae YET
they must be trusted at degree of risk Our can
die may may be put out by puff of wind on the stairs
letitbe sheltered ever so carefully. Betsey is good
cook and yet beef steaks have been productive of stran-
gulation. Does it then follow from this, that we are
never to go to bed except in the dark and TO abstain
One may pause and reflect too much. There mus
be action, concl usion result or we failure, 10 all
ntents and purposes=a seEcohfessed taiure-deiunct
from the beginning. And such was the case with Peeg
w. Ponder, who never arrived at conclusion or con-
trivedtoreach result Peleg is always "slumped'-
he "don't know what to think"-"he can't tell what to
say"-an unfinished gentleman. with mind like a
dusty gare full il were OF rickety furniture yet no.
thing sefviceabe- backed chairs three legged
tables pitchers without handle; cracked decanes and
fractured looking glasses, THAT museum of mutations
p whfch housewifery rejoices, under the vague, but
neverrealized hope that these 1higs may eventually
"come in play" Pelegs opinions lie abou; the work.
shop his bran in every stage OF progress but the last
chips sticks and sawdus enough but no article rea-
dy TO- send homs. ....r.
Should you meet Peleg in the street with "Good NOR
ming Peleg bow do you find yourself todap''
-"WellI don't know exactly Pm pretty no, not very
--pray, how do yOu'do you yourself?"
Now, tia man does not know exactly or nearly how
he is after being up for several hours and having had
abundant time to investigate the crcustances of his
case, it is useless 10 attempt with Peleg. "EIow do
you youdo,' puzEes himhe is fearful of beingo ASH
and and Of making reply which might not be fully
justified by after reflection. His head may be about to
acne and he has other suspiciousefeelings.
"People are always asking me how do, and more
than half the lime, can't tell; there's good many
different sorts Of ways offeeling hewix and between,
very SICK thank YOU and half dead, I'm obliged to
you' and people won't stop to' hear you explain the
matter They want to know right smack when you
don't know right smackyou Sometimes you feel
things coming and ns after you feel things agcing
And nobody's exactly prime allahe while. aint any
how; Pm kinder oJost now and Pm sorer toher way
tost after. Them some people tefyou that you look
very well when you don't feel very well, how hen2"