The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-03-31
Gclefte0.
The Man who Struck Himself.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

Jason Elder belonged to that rather
large class of persons who find pleasure
in the sufferings OF mistortunes Of thei
fellow men. This is stating the cast
rather broadly, and we do not, in tn,
least, doubt that Jason, should be ever
chance to discover this introduction Of
himself to the public, will eject our
classification, so far as he is concerned
We make it uDderstandingly, however
The fault we have indicated is usually
the companion of another. The man
who feels pleasure in the ill-fortune Of
his neighbor, will hardly hesitate to in
Aict an injury, if it can be done with
impunity.
Men of the class to whom Jason Elder
belonged rarely pass far on their fe-jour-
ney without misunderstanding with some
of their fellow-passengers in the wrong
And, as they are the injured and the
oppressed, it is tho most natural thing
in the world for them to feel indignant,
and quite as natural to rctaliate-giving
blow for blow.
The man who wrongs me, l neither
forgive nor forget" This was one of
Jason Elders sayings, and very
bad saying we cannot help declaring
it to be-particularly so in Jason's
case, for he quite lived up to his
principles. OF course, judgment as to
wrong was always rendered by himself,
and on the evidence wholly sr parte. If
he relieved that another meant to do
him wrong-and he coould believe
sometimes on very slight evidence-an
evil purpose was as quickly born in his
sssind as if positive testimony were before
his eyes.
In fact, jason Elder was a very bad
sort Of q man, and often very trouble
some to those who had any dealings with
him.
Among those who were favored with
the hearty dislike of Elder was master
mechanic in small way, named Martin
Lee, who, by industry and economy,
ad &C ,umulated enough to buy himself
a house of no lerate size, as home for
his family. Elder also owned house
in the same neighborhood. These
houses were built on piece Of ground
that originally belonged to the same
estate.
Mr.. Lee was very upright man-too
upright and independent to have much
intercourse with man like Elder, and
not mortally offend him. He had so
him, and the offence was
neither forgotten nor forgiven In .-v.o
than one instance his enemy had sought
to do him injury, but the poisoned ar
rows, fuag from his bow, had flown
harmlessly by him.
Oac day, while in conversation with
one of those idle gossiping individuals,
who gave mo attention to other peo
ple's business than they do their own,
the latter said, in responding to some
ill-natured remark uttered against Mr..
Lee, "I learned fact yesterday that,
may be you should like to hear"
" About that Lee 2" eagerly inquired
Elder.
eyes, or, I may better say, about the
ground on which he has built that snug
little house"
" Indeed !" Our gentleman was all
llive now, and commenced rubbing his
hands in delighted expectation. I" What
about the ground !"
(. "Title Detective" was the laconic
answer.
"No!"
"Fact. Had it from old Larkin, and
rather think he ought to know some
hing about it."
swell, that is news Got bad
title, eh l wonder who's on the hip
now, Mr.. Martin Lee :"
But surely, Mr.. Elder" said his
"you will not take advantage
Of this information to ipjIre our friend
Lee :"
"Won't 1 irdeod! Wait and see
IF I don't deal staggering blow, my
name is not Jason Elder--that's all. Il
always said I'd bide my time. Ha ha y
A flaw in his title. But that's just his
way Of doing business. I'd like to see
lny one pick flaw in mine"
True to the evil purpose declared,
Elder took the first opportunity to search
,ut the party to whom th6 property
owned by Lee would revert, in case q
lefect really exist in his title, and COM
municatcd the fact alledged. This in !