Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-03-22
From the American Metropolitan.
The Poor MAN.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

BY T. S. ARTHUR.
"You don't look well, Mr. Preston I'm a
hsd you stick 100 close TO your shop" said {
friend To Mr.. Archibald Preston, thriving man
ulsclurer, whose well-conducled and growing
business Welded him from four 10 five ihousauc
dollars yearly.
"I'm not very well" replied Mr.. Preston.-
"The fact is, as you say, | am confined tor
closely 10 business. | need more recreation
lhan.l GET"
why don't you 60 of, then, and lake good
holiday A week at the sea shore, or Trip
over The mountains would add year 10 your
lAe."
"Very likely. But such lusures are DOT for
me- | am TOO poor for these indulgences."
Too poor! You. Mr.. Preston p
Yes, indeed. I'm too poor. There is no
helier established fact than this. Il would de-
light me TO do as you suggest. Last year
seuled, as a thing certain, Trip 10 Niagara
this summer. But expected muck easier
money market than there has been since mid
winter No; can't leave home on any pleas
ure trip. am TOO poor for thal."
Poor man :" said The friend 10 himself, as
he walked away, 81 wonder If he will ever
feel able to take any enjoyment in life :"
Shortly after, gentleman called upon Mr..
Preston, and asked if be would not lake two
or three dollars worth Of tickets for a concert,
got up for the benefit of sick musician, and
bis destitute family.
"Nuhing would give me greater pleasure, !"
he replied. "bu, really am 100 poor. We
musl be just, you know, before we are gener-
Gus. II would' be right for me 10 spend three
or four dollars for concert tickets, and then lei
my notes be protested"
No; certainly not. Bul there is no dan
ger of that"
-" don't know. | ough, to be The best Judge.
Efery one knows when The shoe pinches.-
lis just as | tell you. I'm 10 poor for such lux
Gries."
Don't call ii luxury, but charity, Mr..
Preston"
But is not charity luxury! Can anything
produce more real pleasure than the act OF re-
leving the distress of our felow-creatures! -
II were only able, no man would take more
delight in doing good. The time will come, |
trust, when my hand will be as open as my
heart. At present, as | have said, must con-
tent myself with being just. am TO poor TO
be generous"
Now, all this was no. sheer hypocrisy Mr.
Preston did think, that if he were only in good
circumstances, he would be exceedingly gen.
ETous that he would scatter benefits around
him with liberal hand. But until he became
letter of in the world, he deemed it but right
10 exercise prudence in all things. And he
was correct in the principle, though scarcely
80 in The rigid way he applied tito his own
case
A beggar came into Mr.. Presion's little office
or counting g-room, soon after the friend TO the
sick musician had retired, and aske for pen
ny.
We've nothing to give away" said he. wa
'lng his hand for the mendlcant 10 Withdraw.
We're all too poor here"
Only penny, sir" impoftuned the beggar
only single penny"
"DIdnt tell you that we bad nothing 10
give away" repeated Mr. Preston, siefniy.--
Then he muttefed TO himself, as he turned tol
his desk.
I'm TOO poor To scatter money in the street
NJ TO ill the hand Of every one who asks for
eharty."
And Mr. Preston really did feel poor far |
poorer than his clerk, TO whom he paid seven
hundred dollars year; and who, on tha, sum.
maintained wife and Two children, and par
look. al the ssme time, Of such amusements and
fecfeations, within his meaas. as he deemed |
essential to mental and bodily health. He
could also, occasionally indulge 10 the luxury