The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1851-08-13
From Arthur's Home Gazett1
THE DROP GAME.
BY JOHN JONES, JR.

take a paper this year. How can you live,
man, without The news?"
"The news" returned Lee, "Humph!
have more news than is agreeable. In fact,
l don't believe in your news mongers, no how,
Every man mind his own business that Is
Eyes, but friend Lee, it is of interest to
know what is going on in the world"
mo special interest to me. What do
care about other peoples concerns2 II
wont make my cows give more milk, nor my |
land grow more bushels to the acre."
Il am not sure of that"
saint you2' .
"No." 4sEsI ffus At
swell am, them f'lt#
"There are farmers whose COWS give more |
milk than yours, and whose land yields a bet |
ter increase. From these you might learn
something to yojr advantage"
but what has that TO do with the newspa-
perez:
"A great deal. Intelligent farmers inform
/ the public OF their agricultural experimeI Is;
and give the new methods by which they OBJ
tain large yields Of produce"
"Book farmingn exclaimed Laban Lee, in
a tone Of contempt "Never believed in it /; and
never expect to. The good old fashioned
way is good enough for me. Industry and
economy-ihat is my motto, aud teach IT
daily to my children. Hand work is worth
all the newspapers in the world"
Il am not sure Of that" returned the Post
Master. Hand work is badly off without
head work, and will soon find itself in the
rear"
"rm not in the least anxious" said Lee,
with self satisfied air, as he turned of and
went OIL his way towards the city, his tubs
well filled with butter, and his wagon load
ed with goodly stock OF poultry and fruit
"A bird in the hands is worth two in the
bush."-he kept on talking to himseIt.-
When there is dollar in my pocket know
what I've got. But, il spend it for news
paper, what Is there to show for il? / never
know any good to come from taking the pa
pers. They only put nonsense into the young
peoples heads, and make them think them
selves wiser than their paIaLts. Dad! aud
they shant come into my house."
Laban Lee if the truth must be told, had a
sorliid love OF money. The dollar was al
ways held 80 close to the axis of vision, that
little beyond the round bright coin was ever
discernible. BY hard words, Industry and
economy, he had gradually gained upon the
world, until he was owner Of snug piece
) of ground covering about fifty acres. well
, stocked and as well titled as his good old
fashishioned" way of farming would premit.
, The over careful in saying, when love Of
money subdues almost every other sent.
, menf, are not generally over honest in get
ting. ..he every one ios himself principle Of
: aciion generaly leaas to a disregard OF other
int. rests. IL irespass upon others rights and
a departure from truth in dealing. Into
these defects Laban Lee naturally fell, as
7 many citizen, who had bought tough chick
ems. bad butter, and spoiled turkeys, form the
''lair and honest countryman," could testify.
Lee knew how mu h was gained i'm these
transactions; but never had any idea how
; much he lost. Far ofiener than any Of his
customers guessed, his butter, or at least 4.
carefully arranged portion contained in bis
T tubs, lacked several ounces f,he true weight;
and more than once had he come near los
!, ing a goodly number thereof at the hands OF
The clerk Of the Market Such a man was
La5an Lee.
rs the countryman w:nded his way to-
wards the city, his thoughts were busy in
summing ? the probable amount he would
receive Tor the contents of his market wagon;
yet this occupied state Of mind did not keep
his eyes from resting with intelligent discrim-
inalion upon The road he travelled. Money
| and articles Of value, had Teen found by
others, and why might he not be SO FORUM
ate2 Such things were Frequently lost by the
careless. The idea OF restitution never Oc-
, CURED to him; but this was kept observed
) by the pleasurdble anticipation OF gain, as
, the finder Of the lost property. Once, and
only once, had l.aban Lee been Fortunate
On certain occasion as ne walked aIong
the road, he espled, a short distance in ad-
, vance, a bright object partially concealed in
, the sand. Eagerly he sprung forward snatch
ed il from We ground, and was rewarded by
} obtaining half dollar! Small as the sum was
TO gain thus awoke in his mind the most pleas
my sensations. From that time whether in
town or country, few square rods oil earth or
pavement over which he passed, escaped his
watchful eyes.
On the present occasion, notwithstanding
Lee examined the road by which he travelled
TO the city with his usual care, no treasure
was found. Better fortune, however, attend
ed linn on the day following. He sold out
, his butter, poultry and fruit, and over thirty
dollars, received IN exchange therefor, were
in his pocket. Prices had ranged pretty high
ana the larmer ielt satisfied with his sal,s-
just as he was preparing TO leave, the sud-
zen exclamation Of man by his side startled
him, and turning quickly: lac saw a gentle
manly looking stranges, vi h well filled
pocket book IN his hand.
| eoouy . droPPed THIS! SAD me stfdn-
ger addressing Lee. sand it's filled with
money"
The farmers eyes were Instantly distend-
ed. He FELT his knees tremble.
lis il yours, ifiend2' enquired the stran-
ger blandy. 80 ~
Lee could with difficulty, refrain from say
ing that it was. But he forced out the
words -
mo believe not"
"What's 10 pay2" half carIessly enquired
a third party counting up at this moment.
Somebody's lost pocket book, was re-
piled.
'-Indeed! Much money in it2'