Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-11
The Granary.
PAY WHAT THOU owRsr.
BY A. c. THO MAS.

BY A. c. THOMAS.
DO not defraud thy neighbor.--Jon-
athan Homespun, having purchased an
extensive farm, and provided himself
with everything requisite to prosperous
husbandry, proposes to furnish subscri-
bers with one quart of wheat weekly,
for one year, at the low price of two
dollars year, in advance, or two dollars
and fifty cents. if payment is made after
six months.
"Ihe facilities afforded by the gov
ernment, for the transportation Of wheat
TO every section of the Union and the
adjacent provinces, are such as must
prove satisfactory to every subscriber;
and the proprietor of the granary assures
all who may patronize him. that he will
exert himself TO supply an article Of the
best qualify. ID
IN. B. agents will be allowed gem
erous per centage. Address (post paid,)
the proprietor of the Granary, Hope
we'll" .# . ~
Such was the prospectus issued by my
friend Mr.. Homespun. Feeling lively
interest in his welfare, i visited his farm,
although it was long journey from my
home, and was pleased to find every
thing i'm nice order. He informed me
that he had contracted large debt in
the premises, stock and implements of
husbandry, but he had no doubt of his
ability to discharge every obligation in
e.. III =. xol hot ho hod
received many hundred subscribers, and
that in four or five weeks he could COM
mence the delivery of the wheat accor-
ding to his proposals.
The scheme appeared plausible--and
my friend was so confident of his sue.
cess, that had not the slightest doubt of
his prosperity. entered my name as a
subscriber, and when | left him he was
making quart sacks. .......-.t +. ts
Every week for the space Of two years.
| received my quart of wheat, and con-
cluded from its excellent and prompt de-
livery. that everything was prosperous
with Jonatha Il Homespun andhis farm.
Sol gave myself no uneasiness about
nv Indebtedness to him, for thoughtI, to
farmer so extensively patronized as he
is, the small pittance OF two years ar
rears would be but drop in the bucket.
1t is true there was occasionally printed
on the sacks general notice to delinqu-
ents--but never suspected that this was
intended for his friends. The notice,
however, became more frequent, and
having leisure, | concluded would visit
my friend, the proprietor of the Grana-
ry.
He greeted me cordially-but | saw
that he had been in trouble. He was.
evidently worn with toll and anxiety, and
in the conversation of the evening, he
gave the particulars.
"Here have been laboring day and
night almost two years, and am now
more in debt than when began. My
creditors are pressing for payment. J
am conscious of my inability to meet
their demands, and can perceive no re-
suit but bankruptcy
"But you have very large list of
subscribers" said l.
ayes, very large list" was the re-
ply. a
"Then why don't you succeed" /
asked.
because too many Of them are like
you," said he.
.sMer rejoined in amazement, "too
many are like me!'
Pardon me-" said my friend in mel
ancholy tone, "pardon me, foroppression
will make even a wise man mad. You
have had quart of wheat weekly for
two years. have large list OF the
same kind of patrons, scattered here and
there over thousand miles. If they
would pay the trifles they severally owe
me, should be directly freed from em--
barrassment, and 60 on my way rejoice
ing. But they reasoned as you reason.
and among you, am brought to the door
of poverty and ruin.
/ felt the whole force of the rebuke,
and promptly paying arrearages at the
increased price named in the prospectus
and also year in advance, shortly bade
adieu to the worthy and wronged farmera
resolved to do everything in my power
to repair the injury had done from de-
linquency.
0, ye patrons of Jonathan Homespun!
wherever we are !-ye who have eaten
the wheat from his Granary, without ma
king payment! we are guilty Of a grevious
sin OF omission. Therefore, repent; pay
him what you owe him. Uncle Sans
teamsters bring the sack Of wheat every
week to you, and they wiilcarry the
money safely back again to Jonathan
Homespun.
Reader, if you are in arrears for this
paper, do not apply the above to your
neighbor, for 1t is meant for roc.
.C,,b- Mor;no 7,oIooroyh pIo,rh An