The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-15
Miscellaneous,
SEED TIME AND HARVEST.
RY II. s. ARTHUR.

"Whatsoever man soweth, that shall he al
so reap"
Mr. Wiley, lawyer ofsome ability, was
sitting in his Office one day, when an elderly
gentleman came in and asked to have few
words OF conference with him. The strang-
er was politely handed chair, and asked his
business.
you hold claims against PorterfeId? said
the old gentleman, as he seated himself
4 do replied Wiley, whose manner in
sanity chunged-his brow contracting and
+ bis eyes becoming stern.
'Are you aware that there have been sew
eral meetings. of creditors, and that there is
strong disposition manifested TO give Porter
ie!d chance to recover himself?'
q never attend meetings of creditors
But, now that you are aware ofthe fhct
state, are you not willing TO Join with the rest
Of us in helping an unfortunate man TO get
upon his feet again"
No. Ihave my own interest to look after,
not other peoples
1T is your intention then, to push through
the suits you have commenced?
Certainly. am not man of halfway
measures
Notwithstanding you sacrifice the interest
of others by what you do?'
Let others take care of themselves. have
enough to do take care of my own concerns,
without neddiing with the concerns of 9TH
crs'
Ifyou go on, there will be no hone for
tie unfortunate debtor
That is his lookout not mine, was coldlv
replied. .. ...
Pardon me for suggesting that an net like
this concerns you as much, almost, as il con-
Germs him. No man ever deliberately does
injury to another, without himself suffering
Ucrelrom. and ut some future day. as much
rs the party he has injured; although it NAV
be after different fashion,
Tll trust TO all that, sir. Mr. Poricrfeld is
in my power, and mean TO make him feel
it,
what object can you have in view, Mr.
Wiley, in seeking 10 destroy n man in this
way?'
i don't know That you have any right to in
quire into reasons for my conduct. am at
least sure that never gave you any such
right replied Wiley.
j claim no right but the common right of
humanity said the old gentleman. If you
do not acknowledge that, my interference
in this matter can only be viewed us imperli-
nent.'
1T certainly is not authorized by any rela-
ion existing between us, and therefore can
not view it in any other light than that you
hive Unlimited" was the naughty answer.
The old gentleman bowed and arose from
his chair: but before leaving the office of the
lawyer, he said, with marked force of express
sion,
Mr. Wiley, am an old man. Nearly sew
cnty years hive horne the burdens of life;
and inthntti time have gained some expert
4 eUce. Like the rest, have erred in many
things. and for every error there has been au
after visitation. Life has its seed time aud
rs harvest. The one must follow the other.
Itlhe seed he good the fruit will be good;but
II the seed be evil seed, harvest time will
bring plentiful supply Of bitter fruits 1t
cannot he otherwise. Beware, then, of all
acts inspired by malice, revenge or selfish
cnpidities; for rest assured tIint,.a some late
pGrod--it may be when your head is bowed
with age and your heart yearning for pence
md repose-the harvest of this seedtime will
he ready, and the sickle have TO be taken in
hand to reap it. The haunting ghosts of
wrong and passion that come in old age, MIR
Wiley, when the mind mos needs repose and
clear conscience, are the hardest TO lay of
any that disturb us in the whole journey of
litc.'
The contemptuous expression that rested
on the lawyers countenance, showed too
plainly to the visitor thai his words had fail
ed to make any impression. He therefore
turned aud walked away. As he left the Of
ice Wiley mllltered to himself ~
oh yes. The dashed cur can whine now;
mt his whine will rise ere long, or am mis-
iuken.'
The cause ofthis evil determination. on the
part Of Wiley, arose as well from unfeeling
cupidiy, as from a settled dislike which he
entertained for the individual completely in
his power Some years before, Porterfield,
who was n merchant, wounded the selElove
Of the lawyer, who ever afterwards felt tow
ards him us an enemy Time did not soothe
the irritation he at first Experimentation the
merchant, who was successful in business,
built himself an elegant house Immediately
opposite the more humble residence of the
lawyer, and did il, Wiley was weak enough
to think, by making him feel his inferiori,y in
point ofworldly wealth. Ia.
Year after year the handsome dwelling of
the merchant stood smiling in the warm sun
shne but was never looked upon by Wiley
without his seeing in every part of il, from
cornice to pavement. leer,of triumph. The
face of Pur!erfield, too, when he bowed TO him
had the same expression, and it always was
an effort for him TO return the bow with any
thing more than the coolest ciyility
AT last Wiley began. us the saving is to
feel his feet under him. He had talents and
'shrewdness, combined with perseverance &
industry, and these gradually obtained him
business. From yielding an income barely
sufficient for the ordinary wants of social
life, his practice gave hinsomething overland
be beganto accumulate As soon as he had
few thousand dollars to invest, he looked
around him for the means of making it. pro-
ductive With the mere interest ofhls little
capital, he had no thought of being content
He expected it to yield great deal more than
that. SO he became gambler in. the stock
market, and, through the aid and Instructions
OF one of the knowing and secretly operating