The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-17

II u"
steward of Gods bounty, if he choose
He might make our wilderness blossom as
the rose But settlement day will come,
ere long, and then q sorry account of his
stewardship will he have 10 render.'' a
"How do you know that the account
will not be approved in heaven?" was ask
ed in quiet voice. ls sl ais u t.ao
! b"Approved! How dol know?" ejacula-
ted Maxwell, impatiently. "Any man can
see that he is an uDfaithful, hard-hearted
and oppressive steward "a NJ r,0
.Has he oppressed you?" H
"Yes."
"Ah! | was not aware of that. / didn't
know that you had any claims upon him
as an almoner OF heaven" tf .gpf
."My claims are those Of common hu.
manity. But you shall know all and Judge
for yourself | am poor man re-
"Well-"
"With wife and four children, whom
love as tenderly as Clinton, or any other
purse. proud oppressor ofthe poor can pos.
sibly love his wife and children. They
are dependent for daily bread upon my
daily labor. With the sweat of my brow,
| keep hunger from my door, and cold
from entering therein" . gs,..r
IAN independent man." said the other.
"Yes, thank God! An independent
man; as Independent as any nabob in the
land" r,s,5
''Do let the nabobs alone, was answer.
ed to this. "lf you are independent. why
care for them! Why permit yourself 10
be fretted because others are blessed by
Providence with greater abundance of
worldly goodsl There is danger, in this
thing of going beyond the nabobs, and ar
raigning the wisdom Of Him who setteth
up whom he will, and whose bounty feeds
even the young ravens. So 20 on with
your story. What is the crime that Mr..
Clinton has committed against you and
humanity" at
81 am a poor man, as | said" ..r
81 know you are a hard-wording, in
dustrious, but poor man." 3 ,..
''And as such, entitled to some consid.
eration." .....,,. g.s
Entitled TO a lair return for your labor
in all cases." .'tt ......
"Of course am; and to some favor in
the Distribution of employment, where. /
present equal capacity with those who are
less needy than myself" xxx.
"What do you mean by that!'' Il
"A plain story makes all plain. Well:
you are aware that Mr.. Clinton is about
building a new dam for his mill?"
81 am.'' ... ~. La. ...... +. ,.... r
"And that he asked for proposals."
ayes" a.,
81 tried to get the contract"
"You" There was more surprise in
this ejaculation than the friend had me cant
10 convey. .ar1. .,.. ..ra
Certainly! Why not9" was petulently
remarked.
"Of course you had perfect right to
do So"
"Of course l had; and of course nv bid,
though the lowest, was thrown out, and the |
bid Of Jackson, who manages to monopo.
lie every thing in the village, taken. He
and Clinton are leagued together, and the
offer for proposals was only sham.''
That's assuming good deal, friend
Maxwell" ,-o
"No it isn't Its the truth. and nothing
else but the truth. He's the jackall and |
Clinton's the lon.'
"You speak without reflection, !" said the
friend, mildly. 1
'I'm not blind. ! see how things are
"You say your bid was lower than
Jackson's. How do you know this? | /
thought his bid was not publicly known"
81 knew it; and, in fact, knew what it
was to be before sent in my proposals,
and was, therefore, able to 60 below It.
The truth is, managed, between you and |
|. to find out just what every man was 90.
ng 10 bid, and then stuck a mark below
hem all, to make sure Of the job, / wanted
a chance, and was determined 10 have it.
At all hazards
81 hardly think your mode of procedure
ust fair" said the friend; .bnt waving
that could you have made anything by the
ob. at your bidding?" o cll |
asOh, yes, I'D have made something's
more, q good deal, than can make by
lays work. The factis, | set my heart
IN that job as the stepping stone to CON,
ract work; and am bitterly disappointed
u its loss, Much good may it do both
Jackson and Clinton. 4 shouldn't be
much /, y sorry to see the new dam swept by
he next freshet"' d, .,iy ~
y..Why, MAXWELL, This Is not the spirit
'fa Christian man. Envy, malice--ihese
ire what the, Bible condemns in the plain
'st terms; and for these sins, the poor have
quite as much 10 answer for as the rich
and perhaps more. II you go from
,hurch on the Sabbath with no better
thoughts than these, fear you are quite
IS far from the kingdom Of heaven as you
rave supposed Mr., Clinton to be-, :.
Good dayl" said Maxwell, turning offl
abruptly from his friend / and taking q path
hat led by q nearer course than the one |