The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-08-29
GRATITUDE-A STORY OF THE
WHARF.
BY SAM SPRAY.

1t is pleasant as well as profitable tc
contemplate beautiful and lofty traits o.
character in humble life; and it is 9
gratifying fact that opportunities fol
such contemplation arc by no means
unfrequcnt-~indccd, it often happens
in life, as it does in gold regions, tha,
the purest ore lies deepest. The fol
lowing incident is illustrative of one OF
the highest characteristics Of human
nature; but this distinguishing quality
IL seen in phase so peculiar, that in q
recital its touching attributes must nee,
cssarlly fall coldly upon the general
mind-nor have we the genius to invest
it with the slightest tinyc of romance,
or even the ability to dispcl the coarse
Influences consequent upon common.
kAScc associations, but arc obliged to
sfVc it in plain and homcly phrascolo.
gy.
Those who arc familiar with the
nc:Shborhood will remember that at the;
head OF Commercial wharf, some six
years since, stood small shantv this
place was tcnantcd BY quiet citizen,
who gained frugal living by the sale
OF hot coffee, cakes pics, &c.
at about the period named, on a
smiling May morning, there came from
Vermont cute Yankee, who, with
the aid of one side Of the shantv, few
boards and no ceremony, made quite a
convenient arrangement for the cxhibi-
ton cfa mammoth hog which he had
brought with him. For while every
thing went on very well, but as the sea.
son advanced, both TIE sun and the
quadrupcd grew stronger, particularly
the latter, whose influence though less
extensive was So powerful that Hassc.s
by were careful to keep to windwarl Of
him: pretty soon it Was conceded on all
sides that the hog was truly great
bore one By ono the patrons Of the cat
mS department Of the shanty dropped
oil, aud at the end Of month it was
curious to observe the remaining few
dive as the mackcrci yuls do for tllcir
food, and like them bear it TO more
agreeable spot to enjoy it f; almost any
day might be seen half 4 zen of these
constant ones pcrchcd npon the uns,ock
cd anchors which then oliamcn,cd the
pier, (and which still continue to Grace
lt) nlbb!Ins a pic or slipping ginger
beer.
At last even the anchors were dcs
crtcd, and the ruin of the eating shop
seemed to be complete. No longer was
the smoke seen oozing through the sides
of the shanty-thc coffee pot remained
bottom up, the sausage dctiel the spider,
and the ,noulay cakes were prey to
the sculrins in the dock.
Meanwhile the sufferer had been
constantly and earnestly inportlncl to
complain Of the unlicensed mammoth,
and to have him removed but all en-
treaties were vain--hc was inlicXblc =
he seemed to be bound bt some ms ste
rlons tie TO OUTAGE despair, and TO lie
down III silence u;,on the alter Of self:
sacrifice. 1t was evident to some that
he was the victim Of too kind heart :;
but the nature Of the deep and solemn
obligations which induced him to vel
come ruin with a smile, no one could
divine.
at last one Of the merchants on the
wharf, in passing up. spoke to him of
the unnecessary hardship he was suffer
ing, Of his duty to himself, &C., and
asked him arhN he submitted to such
imposition. Sir replied the victim,
4 have been asked that question very
often, but never before by any one that
thought would appreciate my motives
there is no secret about lit will
not appear strange to you when yun
understand my position. The truth is
tins, the owner Of the mammoth hoy
came to this place stranger; was
entirely unknown to him, he had never
even heard Of inc before, yet on the
very morning he established here he
called up on me, was pleased that we
were to be neiyhGors, and, at parting,
i'll the kndcst manner. rendered me Il
season ticket foy tie achole coursc.--
Sir, gratitude won't allow me to com
plain Of that mans hog, and | never
will do so, evcnii | am compelled to
eat my own pies
The merchant, being fcttcrcd by no
such strenuous Obligations, and not
wishing to sec the poor fellow reduced
to the awful extremity of eating his own
pies, promptly interlcrcd, and the same
afternoon the hog was seen Harding the
lean earth on his way to Cnorlcstown.
Boston Post.
Happiness doats on her works, and is prod
Igal to her lavouritc. As one drop of water
hath an attraction for another, 80 do leicitjes
run into folcties.