Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-11-17

uEc, Eepiitu hT. AODpkiHs. 'Dut, you
see, she isn't. il rs plain, from the con.
dition Ia which the magazines come
home. that they have gone through the
hands of the whole family. That Mr..
Rivers INDUCES himself in reading at my
expense 1 am very well satisfied, for |
have seen my periodicals at his store
more than once" ...... .... -.
"Yes, that is The worst Of it,"
besides. Jane, ! am not perfectly
clear in my own mind that it is honest to-
wards the publishers to encourage any
thing of this kind. They go to great
expense and labor in getting up their
works, and certainly give the moneys
worth to all who subscribe. But if ev-
cry subscriber lends 20 his neighbors
who are perfectly able to subscribe them
selves, and who would DO so if they
could not borrow the publishers cannot
be sustained, or will receive, at best. but
an inadequate return. For my part,
there is scarcely anything would not
do rather than borrow a newspaper or
periodical. never have been guilty of
that meanness jet, and, if keep my
present mind. never will"
Mary Rivers, as has been seen, went
home, feeling very badly. The more
she thought about what had occurred,
the more she felt mortified and really
ashamed of herself for having trespass.
ed upon Jane Tompkins for her period
icals and newspapers. to such an extent
as TO cause her father 10 interfere and for.
bid her lending them any more. For
this fact in the case she was not slow to
infer.
MARY" said Mr.. Rivers, as he sa,
that evening, listless for want OF some
thing to read or do, "aIn't none of the
magazines ou, for this month? Haven't
you go, ga zeite,' Post, or Courier,
from your friend Miss Tompkins,'
mo, papa" replied Mary.
81 thought you wen. there to-day"
$50 did, but Jane says her father has
forbidden her to lend the papers and
magazines any MORE"
"He has!" CALCULATED Mr.. Rivers. with
surprise and something OF Indignation.
wv ny was tnat!
81 don't know; but Jane said she could
not lie, me have them any more"
ATS very selfsh!" said Mr.. Rivers,
every selfish! What harm could your
reading the magazines do him, | wonder!
But that's just like some people! They
cannot bear to see others enjoy them
selves, and will prevent il f in their
power"
Mir. Rivers felt rather uncomfortable
about this refusal on the par, of Mr..
Tompkins. 1t seemed to him to be
aimed at his family. He also felt un-
comfortable at the thought of losing his
regular weekly and monthly enjoyment
of reading the newspapers and maga-
zines "iree gratis. for nothing" In fact,
this standing OF Mr.. Tompkins upon his
reserved rights, had an unhappy effect
upon the whole Rivers family, from the
father down to little Tommy, who read
the anecdotes, and story now and then,
with as high relish as any Of the fam
lily.
Things remained in this posture for
two or three weeks, when Mr.. Rivers
became so hungry for the mental aliment
withheld by MIR. Tompkins, that he
strained point, even though he fsl, tina.
he could'nt afford it, and went and sub.
scrihed for magazine. He brought
home couple of numbers with him,
and tossing them into Mary's lap, said:
There's reading for you, Mary, and
no thanks to MIR. Tompkins!'
Mary's eyes and face frightened as
she caught up the magazine.
"Have you subscribed for it, papa!"
she eagerly. enquired.
"Yes. dear. You can read your own
magazines now"
"Oh, am SO glade' exclaimed Mary,
the tears starting into her eyes.
Even ,hough he couldn't afford il, Mr..
Rivers fel, happy to think that he had
made Mary SO happy. On the next
day he thought frequently of the de-
lighted face OF his daughter when he
told her that he had subscribed for the
magszlne. Before night he determined
10 give her another agreeable surprise
ere the week was out. |, was Thurs
day. On the next evening, when he
came in, Mary sprung towards him, and
holding up newspaper, said, while her
whole countenance beamed with pleas
urea man left the Gazette here to-
day. Did you subscribe foI it, papa!-
Yes, | know you did; yourface tells me
SOL"
"You seem highly delighted about it, >
Mr.. Rivers said, with an irrepressible
| smile.
"And so | am. I've wanted to see
the Gazette badly"
Nor was Mary alone in her expires.
sion of pleasure. The younger sisters
and brothers were in raptures at the idea
of having a ".Gaze,te' dat was all theil
own to read;" and even Mrs. Rivers
who was not of very literary turn. re-
marked on the occasion, that Rewspa
per was ian excellent thing among chill
dren," and that, for her part, she always
liked to read little N them now and
then, especially in ,ha. part containing
receipts and other domestic matters.--
Not for long time had Mr.. Rivers done
any thing that gave such universal salts