Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-11-01
The Difference between Heart and Pluck

The Difference between Heart and Pluck.
Thomas Thompson, doer of deeds of blood
"a butcher-was recently summoned before
the Recorder at New Orleans, ut the instance
of his better half, who, if he is to be believed,
is no better than she should be. Mr.. Thomp-
son was fat man, with round shiny face,
redolent of rare steaks and bottled porter
Mrs T. was lean and attenuated-literally a
spare rib.
well, Mrs. Thompson, said the Recorder,
.what is the complaint which you have to pre-
fer against your husband!'
Here the butcher rubbed his hand over his
glossy forehead and looked inquiringly at the
Recorder, and vacantly at his wife, as much
as to say snow for it,
sWhy, your Honor said Mrs Thomps on,
and she threw back her green veil and famed
herself with her pocket handkerchief as she
spoke-sWhy, your Honor, his conduct is
such that to a sensitive being of my kind it is
the blight and mildew of my domestic happi-
ness-the frost that withers the flower of my
felicity
Here Mr.. Thompson gave expression to a
note of admiration by silent whistle, adding
sNow she is in for t!-now she is coming the
sentiment
The Recorder, addressing Mrs. Thompson,
with what particular act or instance of i'll
treatment do you charge him?'
Mrs. Tompson-Why, your Honor, his un-
kindness is rather of negative than of an af-
firmativc character. He has soul-no SEN
timent. He can appreciate neither the sub
lime nor the beautiful. / am, myself, crea-
\ Ill
What, sir, but this ETHEREAL property of our
nature, eevates us above more ignoble beings,
and places us in communion with all that is
bright and beautifu1-with the finest creation
of the poets fancy, as well as with natures
sublimest productions-O, sir
Recorder-Madam, you must permit me to
interrupt you. While greatly admire your
eloquent pathos, L do not what possible
connection ii has with any charge you may
have to prefer against your husband.
Here the bucher shook his head approving
iy, as much as to say, sI'I be id if 1 do
either
The Recorder proceeded: Thus far, Madam,
you have dealt in generalities-what charge
have you to make?'
Mrs. Thompson-I charge him with being
cold and callous--with being imbued with no
symphathy-with, in short, having no heart
could love any thing having heart; but
Thompson has got no heart, and therefore
fails to inspire me with that feeling.
Recorder-Mr. Thompson may not be bless
ed with some of the finer mental attributes,
but for this he is not amenable to justice, nor
punishable at law; and so far as your allega-
7 %l,af 1,..I hos
DONE of which l can take cognizance. Are
you in the habit, Mr.. Thompson, of maltrea-
ting you wife!
Mr.. Thompson-Lor' bless you, sir, no! My
first wife used to say as how was the kindes-
test man she ever knowed-my first wife used.
She was an affectionate creatur was my first
wife; but I'm blamed if can get the hang of
this 'ere 'oman at all. l think there's some
thing wrong in her attic-[and here Mr.. Thorn
son pantomimically pointed the tore-fnger of
his right hand to his forehead.l had not
been married to her more than week, when
she said to me one morning-sThompson
saws she, syou haint got no heart That's a
fact. said l. sold the only one had before l
left the market. Tomorrow, though, I'll kill
a sheep, when I'll have another. She then
told me as how was vulgar creatur', and
she has been telling me the same thing every
day since. She is all the time readin' nov
els and romances, and the like. The night
before last she fell asleep readin' one of these
here books. all about sentiment, and let the
candle burn the muskitter bar. She is all the
time a tellin' me haint got no heart; but 1
know better; and my first wife used to tell me
that was the best kind of 'usband-and so
would be, if Mrs. Thompson would act like
sensible butchers wife, and leave off her sem
timental didoes.
The Recorder said he had listened with
great patience to the statements of both Mrs.
and Mr.. Thompson, and in neither did he sec