The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-02-02

OVERRIDING PoLIrENEss.-There is such q
thing as kindness running into ofiiciousness, from
an over anxiety TO please. OF course this is moi
good manners, because 1t Is often disagreeabe
and causes irritation. Dean Swift was once per-
secuted by an ov.r polite family in the country,
and he tells the story Of it in The following anu
sing style
As soon as I entered the parlor, they put me
into the great chair that stood by huge FIRE, and
kept me there until | was almost siiied. Then
a boy came in a great hurry t" pull off my boots,
which in vain opposed, urging that | must re-
turn soon after dinner. When dinner came ia,
had Il mind to sit at distance from the fire, bat
they told me it was as much as my life was worth
and set me with my back against it, Although
my appetite was quite gone, l WAS resolved 10
force down as much as could, and desired the
leg of pulet. "lndeed, sr,' says the lady,
''you must eat a wing TO oblise me-" and put
ii couple on my plate. was prosecuted at this
rate during the whole meal. Some time after din
ner / ordered my cousins man, who came with
me, 10 get ready the horses but it was resolved
should not stx that i.ht; and when ] seemed
pretty much bent on going, they ordered the sta
be door 10 be locked, and tie children md my
cloak and boots. The next question was, what
would have for supper said, l never eat
anything at night, but was al last, in my own
defence obliged to name the first thing that came
into my head. Alter three hours spen, chiefly in
apologies for my entertainment, iBsInuatng to
me, ''that this was the worst time in the year
for provisions; that they were AT great distance
from any market: that they were afraid should
be starved and that they knew they kept me to
my loss, - the lady went, and left me to her hus-
band. for they took especial care should never
be alone. Exactly at eight O'Clock the mother
came up, and discovered, 10y the redncss Of her
face that supper was not far of. 1t was twice
as large the dinner, and my persecution dcub-
led in proportion. They Importuned me to drink
something before went TO bed; and upon my re-
fusns, left at last bottle Of s,Inso, as they cali
ed II, for fear should wake and be thirsty in The
night. ! was forced III the morning to rise and
dress myself in the dark, because they would not
suffer my kinsman's servan, to disturb me at the
hour desired to be called ! was now resolved
to break through all measures TO get away; and,
after sitting down TO mOnstrous breakfast Of
cold beef, mutton, meats tongues. venson pasiy,
and stale beer, took leave Of the family But the
gentleman would needs me part of The way
und carry me short cut through his own ground,
which he Told ne would save me half IL miles
riding. This last piece of ci>iiity had Ike TO
have cost me dear, being once or twice IN danger
of my neck, by leaping over his bitches, and al
las, forced TO alight in the dirt, when my horse
having slipped bis bride, ran away, and il took
US more than an hour 10 recover hun again. 1t is
evident that Of the ;bsurditles met with in
this yisi, proceeded from I'll intention, but en-
tireiy from wsong judgment of comp!a!sance,
and misa ppcat!on in the rules Of ii.