The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-06-30
OATS OR NO OATS.
G. ID. p.

People who take advantage of their situation in
society 10 Overreach their weaker neighhurs are
sometimes thwarted in their operations by what
appears generally as mere chance, bnt which
might probably, with more reason. be attributed to
the supervising agency of some Power FAR above
the petty Influences ot this sublnnary sphere A
case in puiut was related day or two since by a
friend, which may perhaps amuse Of our
readers and we will therefore give it.
AT the time uf the commercial troubles, in SO
and 81 carman WIN had been fnr some wears
| at work for firm down town, was thrown oui
| of employ by the failure of the house whose work
he had been perinrmn@, aud. as a consequence
was obliged, IN common with many others, In de-
pend on what small jobs forlune threw in his way
Occasionally, This prec;,rOiIS means of support
was entirely inadequate for the comfortable main
tenance of family that were lacking 10 John for
food and clothing; but, although folks in the
house were a; times pinched for Injuries, yet he
would not suffer his horse--a noble and faithful
anlmal-to 60 without a full supply Of provender
The 9nadruped was powerful and willing beast,
and never baked or failed his master when an
extra pull was TO be made. John had owned him
for years, and there had sort of affection grown
mp between the twO, that as much reciprocate led
by the brute as by the more Intelligent of the
twain, his uwner and driver.
One cold evening in the wane of November
t1e udy ndu DeeIl exceedingly raw ana stormy
John turned the head OF his horse homeward, with
n light pocket and heavy heart business had
been more than usually dul, and with all diligence
The luckless carman had been able to raise bu, a
few shllings as result Of his laburs. He reached
his domicil. and putting The horse in the stable,
groomed linn carefully, fed The beast with bay,
and then entered his dwelling. IL was rather
cherries: Goals were dear, and the patient wife
and litte one were lowering over scany supply
in the CRATE. The shillings were soon expended
for The indispensable necessaries of the family.
leaving but solitary sixpence in the excbequer.
While supper was preparing. The careful carman
look the lanthorn and proceeded To the stable for
the purpose Of dealing out 10 his quadruped com
paniOn the usual and never forgotten need Of
grain. He was greeted on his entrance, with
low cOaxlDg whine. but on proceeding 10 the grain
box. by some unaccouniabe oversight this recep-
tacle, alas, ,cas empty IDstinctively Johns
fuTefinger went TO his waistcoat pocket--lhe sin
gle sixpence was still there, and taking the feed
dish in his hand, his first impulse was TO step to
feed store III the vicinity and purchase the
amount in oats-as he opened the door, full in his
face from the opposite side of The street flashed
the light OF well known porierhuuse. John was
tired-he was wet--he was dispirited-apd that
sirpencc he had managed TO save back for the
purpose Of taking lille of the creature comfort
the pUrierhOuse aforesaid before he went in To
tea. Here a hx--Oais Us. grOp-prop u.s.
oats. obviously he pondered--the strong temp
iaton one hand, the necessities of his long
tried and willing animal Oh The other What
| 'couid he do? that hOrse had never failed him in
the hour OF need--a good old faithful besst--bu;
then nobody would ksow that his horse did not
have the oats. The horse himself would for
get IT by morning. AT this instant the impatient,
wheedlrng chnckle Of the beast smote upo1 his
cara slight paving Of the stall plank manifested
that the waiting creature had began to think il
full time that the question was decided Sud.
| denly new light began to beam in the carman's
eye he had got an idea his horse should have
fair chance for the provender, and he. John
should have an equally fair chance for his liquor
Stepping back into the stable, he placed the Ian
tern, open, in the middle Of the floor, and takino
GOT the sxpence, balanced it scientifically upor
! the first jnlnt right fore6ngeT Turning slightly
| to the STALL" Oats or no oats, said he. . Old
| fellow, you shall have even chances Heads
/ win--ioiis you have il. Oats or no oa,s-ber,
she goes!'' Applying his thumb nail beneath
the coin, the slxpence spun into the air, descend
cd 20 the flour, rebounded, and finally came dow