Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-01-19

TO profit by it,
My next acquaintance bore pretty much
the same testimony, and so did the next. 1t
was, that John Mason was not the right kind
of a man. and rather a blemish upon the viii
lage of Moor6eld, Notwithstanding he was
one of the property holders in the township.
If it wasn't for John Mason | heard on
this hand, and 'if it were not for that John
Mason | heard on the other hand, as my ac-
quainlanceship among the people extended.
Particularly against him, was the first indl-
vidual who had whispered in my ears a friend.
ly caution; and | hardly ever met with him,
but he had something 10 say about that John
Mason
About six months after my arrival in Moor
field, | attended a public meeting, at which
the leading men OF the township were pre-
sent. Most Of them were strangers TO me.
AT this meeting | fell in company with a very
pleasant man, who had several lines address
ed those present, and always in such a clear,
forcible and common sense way as to carry
conviction to all but a few, who carped and
quibbIed at everything he said, and in a very
churlish manner. Several of those quibblers
| happened to know. He represented one
set of views, and they another. He had re-
gard to the public good theirs looked, 1t
was plain, 10 sectional and private interests.
How do you like our little town. said
this individual to me, after the meeting had
adjourned, and little knots Of individuals
were gathered here and there for conversa-
ton.
Very WE'LL l replied.
'And the p%eople?' he added.
The people, / added, appeared to be
about a fair sample of what are found every
where; good and bad mixed up together
YES. That, | suppose, is a good general
estimate.'
'Of course l added, we find in all COM
munities, certain individuals who stand more
prominent than the rest-distinguished for
good or evil. This appears to be the case
here as well as elsewhere
lyon have already discovered then, that
even in Moorfeld there are some bad men!
80, yes! there's that John Mason, for in
stance
The man looked a little surprised, but re-
marked without any change of tone
80 you havo heard Of him, have youP
'Oh, yes
AS "a very bad manP
'Of course. You know him, l suppose? 2
yes, very well. Have you ever met
mo, and never wish to-
Never. Is he hereP
The man glanced round the room and said,
| don't see him.
'He was here, ! suppose? 2
'Oh, yes; and addressed the meeting Sc
Veral tines
'ln one Of those sneering, ill.tempered an
swers 10 your remarks, no doubt
The man slightly bowed his head, as if
acknowledging a compliment.
Ills a pity that such men as this John
Mason often have wealth and shrewdness OF
mind, TO give them power in the community
said I.
Perhaps said my auditor, your preju-
dices against this man are too strong. He's
not perfect, | know; but even the devil is Of
ten painted blacker than he is. If you knew
him rather think you would estimate him
differently
Il don't wish to know him. Opportuni-
ties nave offered, but | have always avoided
an Introduction
who first gave you the character Of this
man?'
Mr.. Laxton,' l replied. DO you know
him 2
'oh, yes; very well. He speaks i'll of
Mason, does he?'
He has cause, | believe
HAS he ever explained TO you what it
VAST
Not very fully. But he gives him a gen.
eral bad character, and says he has done
more 10 injure the best interests of the vii
Iage than any ten of its worst enemies that
exist
Indeed! That is a sweeping declaration.
But | will frankly own that | cannot Join in
so broad a condemnation of the man, although
he has his faults-and TO enc knows him, |
think. better than | do
This made no impression on me. The
name of John Mason was associated, in nv
mind, with everything that was bad, and |
replied by saying that | was well satisfied in
regard 10 his character, and didn't mean to
have anything TO do with him while ! lived
in Mootield.
Some one interrupted our conversation at
this point, and ! was soon separated from my
very agreeable companion. ! met him FREE
quently afterwards, and he was always par
t%icularly polite to me, and asked me il | had
fallen in with John Mason yet; TO which |
always replied in the negative, and expressed
myself freely in regard TO the parsonage mem
toned.
Careful as we may be 10 keep out of trou-
BILE, we are not always successful in our eE-
forts. When | removed to Moorfeld, | sup
posed my affairs 10 be in a good way but
.hings proved to be otherwise. | was disap-
pointed, not only in the amounts l expected
to receive from the business | followed in the
village, but in the receipt of money, | felt
sure of getting by a certain time.
When | first came TO Moorfeld, / bought
a piece Of property from ~Laxton-(this bust
ness transaction made us acQuainted)-and
paid cash down one-third of the Purchase mo-
ney the property remaining as security for
two-thirds, Which | was under contract to SET
lie at a certain time. My first payment was
two thousand dollars. Unfortunately, when
the final payment became due, | was not in
funds, and the prospect of receiving money
within five or six months was anything but
good. In this dilemma | waited upon Lax
ton and informed him of my disappointment.
His face became nraye.