Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-02-20
The Lent Paper.

John, what has become OF last weeks pa
per" inquired Mrs. c. Of her husband.
Surely, wife, cannot tell il was brought
from the office, | think
Yes; James brought il home on Saturday
evening; but neighbor N and wife being
here he laid it on the pnrlor table,
oh, n has got the paper; | remem.
her now of lending il to him.
4 am very sorry COR that; think yon do
very wrong, husband, in lending the papers
before we have read them. He who take. n
paper and pays for il, is certainly entitled to
the first psrusal of it,
Yes but N asked me to lend it TO
him, and how could refuse so kind and OBJ
liging neighbor? am sure he would lend
me his if lie took one, and should want to
borrow
Don't N take paper p inquired Mrs.
c. with surprise.
NO .1
why not? He is, as he says, always very
found Of readingr .
Yes; but he seems to ;link himself una
bic to pay for one
unable! He is certainly as able rs we
are. He pays a much higher tax, and lie is
almost always Dragging OF his superior cattle
and
Hush, wife ! Ii is wrong to speak of our
neighbors' faults behind their backs. He
promised to return the paper to-day.
Il hope he will. IL contains an excellent
article, that deslr much 10 read.
Mrs. c. as an excellent lady, and
probably posss, sed as liberal feelings as her
peace-oving husband but she could not be-
lieve it to be their duty 10 furnish free pa
per for their more wealthy, yet covelous
neighbor.
N had formerly taken n paper; but
thinking It TOO expensive, TO the no small dis
comhture OF his wife and children, he had
ordered its discontinuancr. lie, however,
dearly loved TO read, and had for year or
more, been in the habit OF sending lille Joe
on The disagreeable errand of borrowing old
papers of his neighbors.
Mrs. c. waited patiently during the
day, expecting soon te see little Joe coming
with the paper but The day passed, as like
wise did the evening, and 40 paper came.
The next morning, after breakfast, she
was heard 10 say
well, john, the paper has not returned
YETI
'Ah, indeed; guess neiglbor n has
home,' replied Mr.. c..
i Think she continued, I'VE had better
send James down after it,
Would il not be best wife, TO wait until
afternoon? N may return il before that
lime.'
AS you think BEST was the submissive
reply.
They waited until nearly dark, but no pa
per made It's appearance. James, smart
lad of ten years, was now instructed 10 pro.
ceed to neighbor Ms, and get the paper.
He soon arrived, and made known his er.
rand. He was very politely informed that
il was lent to R, the blacksmith, who
lived about mile farther on. James, un.
willing TO return home without it, resolved,
notwithstanding the lateness Of the hour, TO
continue on to the blacksmilll's.
1t was quite dark when he arrived, but lie
soon made his business known, and was in
formed by Mrs. R, that little sis got hold
of the paper and tore it all up
'l'll take the Fragments said James, who
was for having nothing lost.
The fragments, Jimp exclaimed Mrs. r.
Old Donk, the pedlar, come along here to-
day. and sold 'em with the paper rags
James, somewhat dispirited by his unsuc-
cessful mission and no, being very courage.
Gus in the dark, silently beat hpsiy retreat
for home, where, IN due season, ne arrived,
end reported the result Of his errand. i
An very composedly.se~rked Mr.. c.
! ,..S suppose PCS b. saifs f{.ssI u sssus g
TES TSoR ale BY
{ S. s.P. Shaw