Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-01-30
The lent Paper.


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
parlor table,
40, N has got the paper
remember now, of lending II TO him"
:" am sorry for that. think you
90 wrong, husband, in lending the pa
pers before we have read them. He
who takes paper and pays for it is en-
iirely entitled 10 the first perusal of it"
eyes; but " asked me TO
lend IT. and how could ! refuse so kind
and obligiRg a neigEbor am sure he
would lend .ae his, if he took one, and
! should want to borrow"
"Don't N take paper - in
quired Mrs. c. with surprise.
"No."
"Why not 2 He is, as he says, al
ways very fond Of reading
Yes; but he seems to think himself
unable 10 pay for one"
"Unable He IS certainly as able as
we are. He pays much larger tax !;
and he is almost always Dragging of his
superior cattle, and"
Hush, wife 1t is wrong to speak
of our neighbours faults behind their
backs. lie promised TO return the pa
per to-day"
81 hope he will 1t contains an ex-
cellent story that desire much TO read. "
Mrs. c. was an excellent lady, and
probably possessed as liberal feeling as
her peace loving husband but she could
not believe it TO be their duty to furnish
free paper for their more wealthy yet
covetous neighbor."
N had formerly taken paper,
but thinking II too expensive, to the no
small discontinue Of his wife and chill
dren he had ordered it discontinued
He however, dearly loved to read, and
had for year or more been in the habit
Of sending little Joe on the disagree
able errand of borrowing old papers of
his ncighbors.
Mrs. c. waited patiently during the
day, expecting soon to see little Joe com
ing with the paper; but the day pass
ed, us likewise the evening and no pa
per came.
The next morning, after breakfast
she was heard to say, Well, John, the
paper has not been returned yet.
'Ah, indeed. guess neighhor N
has either forgotten his promise, or is alb
sent from home replied Mr.. G..
| think she continued, we had
better send James down after it,
Would il not be best, wife, 10 wait
until afternoon N---may return
belure that time
'As you think best was the subms
slve reply.
They waited until near dark but ne
paper made It's appearance. James, a
smart lad OF ten years, was now instruct
ed TO proceed TO neighbor ~,
and get the paper. lie soon arrived
and made known his errand. He wa:
very politely informed that IT was lent tc
Ii, the black smith, who lived
about half "a mile farther on. Jane,
unwilling 10 return without it, resolved
Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour
TO continue on 10 the blacksmith's.
1t was quite dark when he arrived
bul lie soon made his business known
and was informed by Mrs. r.
that little Sis got hold Of the old ugh
paper, and tore il all up IN take tn
fragments said James who was Tor hav
ing nothing lost.
The iragm ents Jim = exclaimed Mrs
R. Old Donk, the pedlar, come
along here today, and sold 'em witt
the PAPER rags !
james, somewhat dispirlted 10y his un
successful mission, and not being yer
courageous in the dark, silently bea,
hasty retreat home, where in due sea
son lie arrived and reported the resuI
OF his Grand. All = very composed
remarked Mir, suppose r.
aske d neghbor Mo lend him III
paper, and he did net like 10 deny him
We cannot, ! think, accuse either of dc
ing iiteniionully wrong and one pa
per- continued he, is OF little value
You may argue Ms case a
you please, replied Mrs. Z. but be as
sured OF one thing
what is that, asked Mr.. c., wit
evident fear.
Nothing. only neighbor N--wl
not long be at the inconvenience of trou
bling people for old papers.
la about three weeks after the con
yeTsation N--was informed by ia
Post Master that he had paper in III
office. He was highly pleased a, III
announcement, but he could not thin
who was so kind as 10 send him the pl
per. After many conlectures, however
he came TO the conclusion that il wa
some friend whom he had assisted /
former years.
One year had passed; the papers cor
tinued TO come, and N---was SIT
ignorant from whence they came; b,
being one day at hauling he inform
ed his neighbors of his good forum
and expressed some fear that he shout
have TO do without u paper soon.
No you won't = said James in lou
tone OF voice ; for mother sent on Nv
n