Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-03-22
From the True Flag.
SELF INTEREST
Or, Returning Good for EVIL.
DY J. NJ. BELTS.

BYJ. NJ. BELTS.
Elder Barnes prded himself, not lit
tie, on what he called looking out for
Number One :" but which consisted i'll
reality, in cheating all who had the mis-
fortune TO deal with him.
He we'll understood the policy Of keep
ing up an appearance of great charity
and brnevolence and so well he had
succeeded. that none presumed to call i'll
question the elders generosity, while an
instance of his actually giving tribe to
charitable object was not within the
memory of the " oldest inhabtant."
The elder was chairman of all the COM
miltces, president Of the missionary socie-
tv, and prominent speaker on all occa-
sions whenever he could obtain hearers !;
but if IL poor man lost his COW, or star
wing family needed bread the elder was
the last man to apply to. lie was not
close and mean, but most thoroughly sell
fish, even when little kindness TO anoth-
er would have cost him nothing.
He often boasted that he was never
over-rcachcd in IL bargain ; but the small
fortune he had amaSSed in IL comparative-
ly short time, gave evidence that all who
had traded with him could not say as
much.
1t was near the close Of hot day in
August, when not breath was stirring
for existence, much less for active eXer-
ton, yet nearly every field had in it
more or less men with teams, raking and
loading hay fit for the barn with all posi-
Bile dispatch, for a heavy thunder storm
was coming up, and the west was already
black with clouds, from which, ever and
anon the lightning flashed, while thunder
grQwIcA in d'~'"""".
MIR. Rawson, a near neighbor to Elder
Barnes, had just sent his last load from
the field, and pausing moment to wipe
the perspiration from his forehead, he
was accosted by a man dressed as Il wa
gone;r' and carrying " long whip in his
hand.
"Will you have the kindness to lei
me drive my team on your barn floor
until the storm is over ?" said he (" ]
am heavily loaded with grain. and have
five miles yet to go before reaching home
" should be glad TO obligc you," an
swcr Mr.. Rawson; " but my barn is sma
and have already one unloaded cart on
the floor and another to make room for
"Whcrc can obtain shelter then -
inquired the man anxiOusly. Can you
direct me to any place near ?"
" l am sorry, but am afraid that eve
ry barn around here is occupied" was
the answer. Yet stay he continued, as
thought seemed TO strike him; "there is
the next house above here-Elder Barnes
he got his hay all in yesterday, and
could no doubt, accommodate you as vel
as not"
"Thank you - was the hasty rejoin.
Il 1,o l,n
lef; his team, and FASTENED back, as direc
ted
Is Elder Barnes at home ?" he inQui
red Of boy swinging on the gate.
" That Is my name," answered the
person inquired for. stepping from a bull.
ding near. What do you wish for?''
The request was repeated, when the ell
dcr'S countenance fell.
" l have my floors partly occupied, u
he said, at,length, in a hesitating tone
q" besides, [ should rather not have hea.
Wy load driven in it would strain the
tin,bers too much"
:. But there is storm coming up" ur.
ged the applicant, " and my grain will be
spoiled. have driven as fast as possible,
and still | am some distance from home
only ask for shelter through the rain,
and am willing to pay for the trouble. "
There are other farmers who own
large barns around here" suggested the
elder.
1 have inquired at nearly every house
for the last two miles, answered the man.
" and every barn, large enough for NV
purpose, was occupied"
" don't think there will be much rain
nothing more than high wind" said the
elder, beginning to step towards the
house.
Very well, sir, l wish you good day, ,
answered the teamster, his temper not {
little ruffled. "All have to say is, tha
| hope you will get through the worlC
without knowing what is to stand in neec
Of kindness"
THAT is my concern" muttered the
elder; and turning around, and walking
rapidly away.
" Nothing more than l might have ex.
Pec'ea !! said Mr.. Rawson to himself, a!
ne saw the man coming slowly back, and
what to do; and quickly Joining him the re.
suit was soon made known.
"lt is too bad" continued the. toom
Ster' had engaged to have this Grain
threshed, ground and delivered this weai =,
and he gazed despairingly upon the tow
ering load, drawn by six stout horses ~ w.
vered with sweat and foam, and then a,