Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-11-10

usual reply to this. 81 wish could get
my own by simply calling for it. You
may be sure would think Il no hardship"
"Perhaps mott" returns Squire Gregory
"but that doesn't remove the simple obi
CATION under which every man lies,
to pay what he owes the moment he has
the ability to do so. The waiting-to-
be-called-on system, is grounded, say
what you will of it, in secret re-
luctance to pay what is justly due. Now,
don't call that clearly honest feeling
know what It is-I've feit II hundereds
of times and have to fight against it now.
We all love our weaknesses" e'f IS ~
1t happened, one day, that Squire Gre
CORY and his character for honesty, formed
the subject of conversation among several
persons, one OF whom was the editor of
newspaper published in the town.
esquire Gregory" remarked the latter,
after listening for some time to what was
said sis, no doubt, one Of the most honest
living. Still, I do not believe him to be
strictly So"
"While believe" said one Of the COM
pany, .that Squire Gregory could not be
tempted, in the value OF sixpense, to
wrong another by withholding what was
justly due, or by over-reaching in bar
gain.,' 'iia eii 'H
"Understand, gentlemen" said the editor
to this, "that think as highly of Squire
Gregrofy as any man in town. But / am
satisied, that can put him TO test, as
well as every man present, that will show
palpable disregard to the plainest and
most common sense views Of honesty
The fact is, and its no use trying to deny
it, we all, as Burke says, have our price.
That is, there is appertaining to us all some
weakness, or easily besetting sin, that leads
US, almost unawares, into acts by which our
neighbors suffer wrong either in person,
property, or reputation. Or, if not led
into direct acts, we are betrayed into omis-
sions of duty by which others are equally
wronged." ......
''Then we are evil of necessity" said
one.
"No, not by necessity, but by nature"
"What is the difference %
"Necessity would make the state fixed
one; but inherited evil propensities may
be overcome and it is the duty Of every
man to search into his heart and life, and
to see in what ne is tempted OF this nature
to do WRONG 10 others. When he has dis
tcovered the lurking devil in his breast, let
him cast him out, as he can if he will"
"Humph! That's your theory And
SO you donf think our Squire Gregory htn-
est in everything" '., .................,..
tsf do not"
"Well, all have to say is, If he is not a
strictly honest man, don't believe there is
one in the world.'' l'+t' '''
81 don't know how that may be,' replied
III. editor. 81 only know that we are all
born with propensities TO seek our own
good at the cost of even the rights Of ouI
fellow-men; and that no man rises superior
to this evil state, without many and sore
: struggles with the evil will that is evel
prompting him to unjust actions. Ever
! the best are not wholly good"
"No; Of course not" ies' ".ai
"Nor do believe Squire Gregory to b
perfectly honest in all his dealings will
!, the world" added the editor.
1 "Then you think him wilfully dishones
t in some things!'' .es,,s ....--.-s l,au.
"No, do not say that. But am wei
: satisfied that could probe him in such
3 way as to show that, by neglect, almos
0 wlfuL he has wronged for years and still
n wrongs his fellow-man. That he has en-
n joyed, IN fact, the goods OF another withor
o paying for them" 70 pah.o fao ..
n ssThat's rather grave charge" ..
II 81 know it Isl" .la,,.sg .l,sl Jose
g "Will you make it to his ev 9 e.,,
is "Certainly." t-s ,,,a.....f,L-s.l.. M.
al "Then suppose we all adjourn to Ii
g Office of the squire, and have the point Sc
j. tied" fh Hf" f- 4,
'g "No objection in the world" said tt
re So the party went to Squire Gregory
Y Office. As they entered, one of them sait
r. "Good morning, squire We come
er try a, case in your office" ra.s.ra, ,,.,.
"Ah! Who's the defendant 7" .,
C. "Yourself" rl .. .......
Is "Men
en- ayes. Our friend B., here, sa
no that you are not a strictly honest man, a
nd we've brought him to prefer the charge
,e- your iace.1 So consider yourself on tria
ke The blood mounted TO the very forehe
OF Squire Gregory, al such an uhiooKeo
and scandalous allegation. le1h a''a1 ~
lrt, Not honest ~ What does he mean
ain said the squire, in a disturbed manner.
Ass "Just what he says" returned the edit
'ol' smiling. ,., us DIV s.g..-i. .ai.tli7
lrt- .Oh! you're trying to play off pleas
mi Joke" SAID the Squire, Frightening. b..
/ rNo-pot BY any MEANS" was repli
dot aB- is perfectly serious, in fact,
red wont adnlit that any man is, by natl
ess, strictly honest, And avows that even
any best sometimes permit themselves to be
n away by some easily besettng sin into
gis- Of wrong to Others" 4. 'l ,al o. -.'l1l
had - "Perhaps he is right there,'' said
He squire. taBut should very much like
,ry'' to put bis hand on any act Of mine,
uta- which another has suffered wrong, /,
ot him point to the fact, and / pledge my
rere to make restitution and repsraiion
ssyd ssy; ''n1lS aTS:,. friend d th.ls.. 4 "a, ,eh,
Y - r. .......N Ia o,,n end anoAher ~