Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-11-17
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
HUNTING AN OFFICE;
OR THE MlSFORTUNES OF =. BRUSH
~ JOSEPH G. NEAL

IL was november; soon alter election tim
when d considerable portion of the political
world are apt to b. despon1ant, and external
things appear TO d. their utmost to keen
them so. November, the season OF dciec-
ton, when pride itself loss its imperious
port, when ambition gives plare.to m.la, :
choiy; when beauty hardly tsfAs, Hfe troub.e
to look IN the glass; AMI when existence defl.
lis rainbow hucs, and wears an aspect of
such dull commonplace rcality, that hopes
leaves the world Tor u Temporary excursion.
and those who cannot do without her inspir.
ing presence. borrow the aid of pistols, cords,
and chemicals, and send themselves on a
longer Journey, expecting 10 find her by In.
way:-a season when the hair will not STAY i'm
curl; when the walls weep dewy drors, TO the
great detriinent OF paperhangings, and of eve
~ specieso OF colouring with which they are
adorned; when the banisters disIill liquids,
any thing but beneficial TO white gloves;
when nature fills the ponds, aud when win
dow washing is the only species of amuse-
ment at all popular among hons -,,eepers.
IL was on The worst OF nights in that worst
of seasons. The atmosphere was in a condi-
ton oi which il is difficult to speak with re-
sPect, much as we may be disposed TO APP
piaud The doings of nature. ii was damn.
io2gy and drizziing: 10 sum up its imperiec-
ions IN a sonorous and descriptive epithet.
II was "orrid muggy weather" The air hung
ABOUT The way iarer In warm, unhealthy folds.
and extracted The starch from his shirt collar
and from the bosom OF his dickev, with as
much rapidity as it robbed his spirits of their
elasticity, and m Tied the sugar of selfcom.
placency from his mind. The street lamps
emitted a CHASTITY white G lare, and were so
hcmmed III with a vapory wreath, that their
ehoris cou.d notproJect a ray OF light three feet
1rn1n Tho hnrA.f Ill.,. n
any change, even 10 the heat of Africa, of the
irosts OF the arctic circle, would. in compar-
Ison, have been delightful. Pigs till no
longer waved in graceful siauos.tles; while
the tail OF each night-roving hectorian bull
dog ceased Haunting towards the clouds, a
banner OF wealth ami defiance 10 pumier Crca-
lures, audhung down dropping and detected,
an emblem OF a heart little disposed 10 quar-
rel and offend. The ornamcntals OF The
brute creation being thus below par, il was
not surprising that men, with cares on their
shoulders and raggedncss in their trowsers
should likewise be more melancholy than on
occasions OF IA brighter character. Every one
atall subject TO the .'skiey Influences" who
had trouble enough to tear his clothes, and to
teach him that the staple of thus mundane
existence is not exclusively made up of fun.
has ielt that philosophy is but d barometrical
affair, and that he WHO is proof against sor
row when the air is clear and bracihg NAV b.
a very miserable wretch, with no great cause,
when the wind sits in another quarter.
Peter Brush rs a man Of this susceptible
class. His nervous system is of the most
delicate organization, and responds to the
changes OF the weather, as an Eolian barn
sings TO the fitful swellingof the breeze. Pc.
ter was abroad Oh the night of which we speak
either because, unlike the younger Brutus, he
had no Portia near to- tell him that such expo.
sure was mot physical" aud that it was Inc
paTtoi prudence TO goto bed, or tlIat, although
aware of the dangers of miasmas To- a man o
his constitution, I've did not happen at thai
precise IN to have access To- either house
or bed; III bis opinion, two essential pre- reauis.
ties to COUGHING himself, as he regarded taking
II dIresco, ON a cellar door, not likely TO am
swer any sa~natary purpose. We incline our.
selves to the opinion that he was in the al.
lemna last mentioned, as it had prcviously
been the fate oi other great men. But be thai
as II may, Mr. Peter Brush was i'm the street.
as melancholy as AN EMBRACED drum, "a eibl
cat, or a lugged hear"
Seated upon tn curb. with his feet oc,os.
the gutter, he placed his elbow ON a ~sfenpino
stone and like Juliet on the balcony. leaned
his head upon bis hand-l hand that Would
Perhlps have been the britcr OF a covcrinr
though none would hive been rash enough u
volunteer TO b. a glove upon it,. lie VAS in a
dilaPiddtd ConduiOn-uut at elbows. uuf AZ
knees, Out Of pocket, out of Office. out of soi,.
rs and ont in thc sircet-an "Out and ouirr''
IN every respect. and a. Ouirc o mortal as eve,
tie eye OF man did rest upon. For some lime
Nj Brush reflections had been silent. FoJ'
lowing Hamlet's advice. he gave thcm n,
understanding. bui no tongue; and he relieved
himself at intervals by splitting f~orlouly I'M,
th- kelinrl. At length, su' Altering bis locked
hands TO tail between his knees. aud bea y,,g
a deep sigh he = okc:-
81 long ugrg ego. my ma used TO rut ON
her specs AMI say, "Prtcr nv son. mn, NO,
your trust IN princes , and from that ady to
Ihi5 haS't done any thing OF the kind, be-.
cause o ~ On'em ever wanted 10 L,,rc,y
nothing OF me; aud never sec a princ or =
dng-but n OF two, and they had boon 60
lated out OF Office Ito berry nothing of them
Princes poolh Put not your trust in %politir.
iancrs-thom'5 NY arntimcnis. You mial,,.