The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-07-29
The LentPnper.

John what has become OF last w eek'5 pa
perp Inquired Mrs. C. of her husband.
Surely, wife, cannot ell; it was brought
from the office think
yes James brought it home on Saturday
evening: but neighbor N. and wife being here,
he laid it on the parlor table,
'Oh, N. has got the paper; remember now
of lending it to him.
Il am very sorry for that; think you do
very wrong, husband, in lending the paper be-
fore we have read them. He who TAKES the
paper and pays for it, is certainly entitled to
the first perusal of it,
'Yes; but N ask ed me to lend it to him and
how could refuse SO kind and obiiging
neighbour! / am sure he would lend me his,
if be took one, and should want to borrow
Don't N take paperp inquired Mrs. C
with surprise.
sNo.'
sWhy not! He is, as ne says, always very
fond of reading
Yes; but he seems to think himself unable
to pay for one.'
Unable. He is certainly as able as we are.
He pays much larger tax, and he is almost al
ways Dragging of his superior cattle and
Hush, wife! it is wrong to speak of our
neighbors' faults behind their backs. He
promised TO return the paper to-day
Il hope he will. 1t contains an excel ent
article that desire much TO read
Mrs. c was an excellent lady, and, proba-
by possessed as liberal feelings as her peace
loving husband; but she could not believe it
to be their duty to furnish free paper to their
more wealthy yet covetous neighbor.
N. had formerly taken paper; but think
ing il too expensive, to the no small discom-
future of his wife and little ones, he had ORDER
ed its discontinuance. He however, dearly
loved to read, and had, for year or more, been
in the habit of sending 'lttle joe on the dis
agreeable errand of borrowing old papers of
his neighbors.
Mrs C waited patiently during the day, ex-
pecting soon to see little Joe coming with
the paper; but the day passed, as likewise did
THE evening, and no paper came.
The next morning, alter breakfast, she was
heard to say
swell, John, the paper has not been return
ed yet
.Ah, indeed; guess neighbor N has either
forgotten his promise, or is absent from home,
replied C..
Il think she continued, I'VE had better send
James after it,
would it not be best, wife, to wait until
afternoon! N may return it before that
time
'As you think BEST was the mild reply.
They waited until nearly dark, but no pa
per made its appearance. James, smart lad
of ten years, was now instructed to proceed to
neighbor Ms and get the paper. He socn
arrived and made known his errand. He was
very politely informed that it was lent to r.
the Blacksmith, who lived half mile further
on. james. unwilling to return without it,
Notwithstanding the lateness the hour, con-
tinued on to the blacksmith's.
1t was quite dark when he arrived, but he
soon made his business known, and was in
formed by Mrs. X, that little sis got hold of
the paper aud tore it all up
'I'll take the fragments said James, who
was for having nothing lost.
'The fragments, Jim!' exclaimed Mrs. r;
'Old Donk, the pedlar, came along here to-
dry and sold 'em with the paper rags
James somewhat dispirited by his unsuccess-
sul mission and not being very courageous in
the dark, silent beat hasty retreat for home
In bue season, he arrived, and reported the re-
suit of his errand.
'Ab,' very composedly remarked MIR. e, l,
suppose II asked neighbor " to lend him the
paper and he did not like to deny him. We
cannot think accuse either of doing inten-
tional wrong; and one paPern continues he,
SIS of little value
| 'You may argue Ms case as You please
replied Mrs. c. but be assured of one thing.
| 'What is that!' said Mr.. G, with evident
fear. %
Nothing, only neighbor will not long be
at the Inconvenience of troubling people Tor
old papers,
In about three weeks after this conversa-
ton, N. was informed by the Postmaster that
he had paper in the Office. He was highiy
pleased at this announcement, but he Gould
nof think who was so very kind as to send
him paper After many conJectures, now
ever he came to the conclusion that 1t was
| some friend whom he had assisted in former
years.
One year had passed; the paper continued
to come aud N. was still ignorant from
whence they came, but being one day al
hauling he informed his neighbor OF his
good fortune, and expressed some rear 'ha' nc
would have to do without paper soon.
| NO you WON'T said James Z. IN louu 'o"c
of voice, 'for mother sent on two dollars more
Tor you last week
'WelI done, Jim! shouted dozen voices
while a Simultaneous roar OF laughter rahS
along the line ofteamsters
N. who had previous to this announcement
been remarkably cheerful and laxative was
suddenly silent, while deep RED color, the
emblem of shame mantied his brow. This
was good lesson for N.
Early the next morning he went and paid
Mrs. c.. the four dollars, acknowledged his
error, and was never known after this to take
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