Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-06-26
o Ort9inal & ale.
Written for the Anti-Slavery Bugle.
SCENES In MAINE.
THE VACANT POST OFFICE.
BY Mrs. J. FRoHoCK.

leisurely seated himself beside ms OLD nelshnOr'
al am anxious for your opinion, as you are said
to Judge of coming events by their foreshadow-
ings better than any man in Maine. There is
quite an excitement upon the measures proposed
to be brought before that body at its next sitting;
and it is necessary that VIC be posted up in these
matters, in order to rightly discharge the re-
sponsiblo duties of constituents" The latter
listened very complocently to tho Complimentary
question Of the Esq, who was evidently sound
ing the old man, not so much TO gain advice for
public veal, as to ascertain how far he might be
servicable in his own personal aspirations. I'm
Gle John, tho styled an incorrigible ultraist on
all measures involving principles Of justice, had
always been identified with the whig party !;
but the unremitting cxe-tions in opposition to
the sale ofintoxicating liquors,in lsiO had cns-
ted his warmest sympathies and as there was
temperance candidate disconnected with either
ofthe two great political parties, it was doubtful
where his influence would be directed. lie
answered the question, in the true yankee style,
by asking another. flows Smith, the whig
candidate on the license questions" 30, he's
temperate to a fault" answered the Esq, be-
longs to every temperance society in tho coun-
try. But he's not ultra he calculates on the
general good to be effected by every measure. -
He has long been in Office you know, and must
sustain himself by his integrity 70 the interest
of the State to run wild on these new thco-
rics would oust him forthwith" Uncle John
shook his head. "Now Squire" said he you
q 1
not interest yourself as much cs you've done
Of late to save the constitution. &c honest, and
I'll assist you as far as principles viii allow;
for to return the compliment you just bestowed
me think you are as peacoablc, aud nc indus
trious q citizen as we have among ~ never
meddling with the affals of others, even were
all your neighbors starving around YOU" I'm
Gle John had well merited the title Of " wo,cE
man." for whenever he discovered such unv'ar
ran'abe cxortions, he was sure to ferret OFT the
cause, and hold it up in its true light before the
public. lie was pure minded, ccp-thinking
sound-rcasoning man. Tho far from being a
public favoritc, yet the honest politician found |
in him wise counselor; the hypocTitcal in
triguer, shrewcd exposcr the poor and needy |
everywhere, kind and sympathsing friend
BY honest toll he had placed himself beyond
the pocuniary dependence of others and equal
Iy independent in thought, no ol.icc or anchor
alton, could swcrvo him from what he deemed
justice. The Esq, on the contrary, lived ex-
prcssly for himself. No motive, good or cvil
ever tempted him to move beyond that orbit, Of |
which himself was the centre therefore his
very earnest desire for Smiths election, awaken
cd uncle Johns curiosity.
"You are aware" replied tho Esq, very
frankly, "that l am under obligations to Smith
for the Office Of Justice; and as think him
much better man than his opponent, who is
decidedly incorporate, prefer his election
"But," said the old man sGrcastically, "did
you not iquidate that favor;" Smith sold
brandy to old Esq. Jones until he had robed
him of all his property, and reason, and then
recommended you as his successor and you
procured the renewal of his license to continue
the same game upon others therefore, con-
slider you completely absolved without farther
penance.
"Uncle John, We all have to bear your jeers
for we should inevitably starvc, were VIC to
adopt your principles. Men will drinl, liquor,
and sell it too; and one man may as well have
the profit as another. Selling docs not compel
mon to drink it. That has all been talked over
time and again, until we are tired of its repcti-
ton. But hear me. You know that any affair
under the direction of the general government, is
exepected to be in the hands Of men favorable
to the present administration; and as we are of
that fortunate, class VIC have a right to assist each
other in obtaining them. know you arc little
squeauish on those points; but, Smith and have
this arrangement. l am to assist in his election,
and he, (you know he has powerful inhuence)
is to procure the Post Office for me, now vacant
by the death of old Jones'" Uncle John started
to his feet, "vacant - said the old man, "The
Post Office vacant When;" The Esq, who
had along felt little uneasy in the region of
his heart, petrifod as it was, became satisfied
that Uncle John had interested himself in the
affairs of the widow Jones and all at once
Tecollecting some important business, heartily
badc gool evening and left the old gentleman
alone, "To muse on mans superior powers"
Uncle John was indeed interested in the affairs
of the widow. lie had known her from infancy
had advised with her widowed mothcr-had
been Miss Emma's guardan-had seen her
married to the dashing Harry Joncs-had de-
livered into his hands, her liberal patrimony
and while all others congratulated her as for
tunately welded to a man, who in addition to his
handsome person, and an excellent education
was endowed with uncommon business faculties
and likely to monage her property oisely, which
Of course no female could do. Uncle John
shook his head he had acquired the habit
young, and through life, whenever Uncle John
shook his head, something was sure TO be amiss