The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-06-02
Timothy WOrthington's Conversations
with his Son.

Timothy Wur,hngton sat in his arm chair, n1u-
sing He was about seventy years old; his lace
wore that mixed expression Oh sbrewdness anu
caution often observed IN men who have, by slow
and toisome progress, worked their way 10
comfortable property aud higly respectable po-
sition in society. Such indeed WAS MIR. Wor-
thington's fortune. Commencing in life poor
boy, he had. with a cautious tread, bufeted the
storms Of the world, turning aside to AVOID
the fury, and now, when favorable opportunity
offered, moving forward, with quicker pace 10
the gao Of his effort. In his opin ons, as well as
in bis business, he had always watched the pop
ular tide with eager eye, and success has re-
warded him. In his old age he was permitted 10
enjoy the fruits Of his labor. in well-earned
compeiency; and the title Of Squire, given TO him
in consideration Of his having for several years
held the office Of Justice of the peace, showed that
he was Of 40 mean consideration among his iel-
low-Eewnsmen.
At the time at which attention has been called
80 him, the old gentleman, we have SAID. sat
musing; a shade of unusual anxiety rested upon
h, face, and the grey !, cks falling upon his Shout
ders gave TO hIr,i something Of venerable APP
pearance. 4 short distance from him sat hls son
Peter, who duiiiui son. believed everything
his father belle, ed, and made his every precept
his own rule OF action.
.Pe,cr, NV son. said Mr. Wor.hngton.
Peter Immediately put is knife into hi pock-
ct. and, his want when thus addressed
w.il reVeTeniIa! air gave 20 Lis father MS undI-
md attention.
''pe,.r. want = 'u % be great man.
The boy 'o.isd surprised, and then dropped
his head, 1t never having entered his mind that
he could be anything more than an uncouth dri-
yer Of oxen.
Peter, yen can do ii, take my word for it :;
You can DO ii. you've got ths grit in you, only let
!, out. Do as ] tell you. and you can be Con-
gresham, Just as well as any ,hing'
Peter again bent upon his father dutiful re-
gard, which seemed 10 say that he was willing 10
follow his advice in everything; and ths old man,
drawing himself up with an air Of dignifed au-
thor.v proceeded to instruct the boy in the wis
dom Of practical lie.
'Always think before YOU act, Peter I've
known many a smart young man used up 10y fool
ishly following hIs own Judgment, when everybo
DIV else thought he was wrong The fact is, if
you want 10 get the name of being wise among
your ncghbors, yoa must think as they do. What
If they sometimes 90 think wrong: You won't
be able TO convince them Of ii; and you d better
know you're wrong and have other iolks think
you're right than 10 know you're right and have
everybody else: think you're wrong. WHAT'S
man worth in tie world, if his neighhors all think
he's fool No, no, my son You musn t be
80 foolish as Il: set yourself up in opposition to
them that's older than you. You must get the
good opinion of your nes hbors, at ell hazar IDS
Aud when you've got this, take my word for it
You'll go ahead in the world. Look at our big
men; what Is II that has brought them up so high?
Our great politicians. for instance. Do you pose
they'd ever get into such high offices, If they'd
been forever fighting the opinions of their consi.t-
uents: No, sir; it's because they think jlst as
other people do, that other people like them so
well; and the great difference between them and
other folks 10, they know much better what's
going to be popular that's it, Peter. They
don't 81, down and argue that such thing is
right and such thing is wrong, and therefore
they'll do so and so. Why, my stars, half the
time they'd be en- the unpopular side Of the ques-
ton, if they did this and then. what would be-
come of them; Why, the people wouldn't sup
port 'em bit longer, and they nigh, well give
up, first. as last all hopes Of getting am more Of
ices. And what's politician without office -
Why, he can't live without il. The fact is, if a
mans a-gcing into public life, he mnst look around,
and see what other folks think about matters and
thirgs.
elf he's a-going to be doctor, he must give
way little to other peoples notions. If his pa
tient thinks he's sick, and isn't, he must nj tell
him he's well. He must put on a long face, 3 nd
say he's very sick; and he must give him little
something, and say that'li cure hun. And then,
when he gets .weli--nO matter if il is long
while-so much 4he better for the doctor when
he gets WELL everybody III say, what smart doctor
So he must humor the whims Of every body, the
old ladies' in particular because if he sets him
self up gainst them, they II think he's a-trying to
make out they don't know much about such
things So, of course, they'll try 10 keep them
selves up, and they'll tell everyb body he don't
know anything about his business. And il comes
10 this. he may well leave, for il won't be hard
Iy safe for him to 60 INTO any bodys house to see
a sick man. But just let him keep in with every
body that preiends 70 know any thing about
medicines and he 60 along smoothly gh.-
No matter il he doesn't cure many people; if they
only cure themselves, he'll get the credit Of it,
and that'll bring him his bread and butter and
The good will of bis neighbors; and man with
out either of lese is in a rather bad fix, according
to my ideas.
80, if he's a minister, he must be very care
full what he says, and how he acts. 1t won't do
Cor him to down everything that amt Just righ,
according to his no,ous lie must first consider
CAREFUL, what people will bear, if he wants TO
have influence among them. If he gcts place
where tea perancc il popular, Jet him be strong
,epiperat-e man, ard i.'il ia popular too. Let
him preach ois sermons about temperance. and
uenounce the ram sellers. and call them ak s9fls
Of hard names, :ond ever hodY'ii snake their
heads, and say he isn't aid to speal, the truth
when ii onght TO ne ,pohe Bu, If n gets where
people ike The cree,ur & ieetle, ard .. finds
three r,ch ra,n-sel.e-s ID MS church, h aust
toe very particular to snow tAese gentiemen tiat
he thnSs them Just good anybody. When
he is asked what he thin4s Of drinking and selling
liquors, he must talk in roundabout way, about
the sin of intemperance, and cf being temperate
in eating and drinking, but be very TO say
nothing that anybody'll take to themselves
Whenever he meets a drunken loafer in The street.
he may show as much disgust as ne likes. and in
this way he'll prove how he hates the sin Of drunk
enness. But he mustn't preach any temperance
sermons he can preach about other sins
ynst as bad, and no body'li trouble him so he'll
be doing Others lus much good. and bring no
harm TO himself neither. Perhaps The people are
almost all abolionists he can preach agans,
slavery. and make himself mazingly popular, and
do wonderful sight OF good. But if he goes TO
esying out ngains, what good many of his pee
pie thinks no harm IN, his II find himself in
hot wafer Let him he quiet about the things,
and preach against what everybody knows is wrong,
and nobody has an interest in keeping up, and the
people will believe him.