Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-06-21
JUNE 81, 1854.
Anew Fable.
MADE OF OLD MATERIALS.

beneath their wings, looked sharply about
them, and, after vigorous fuiter of their !
feathers, adjusted themselves to their regu-
lar official position. The heads on the pennies
yawned, and winked their eyes lazily and
there was general change of posture. A
sociable Tenpence, addressing an adjacent
copper, remarked that the air of the place
was bad, as it was filled with the fumes of
tobacco aud brandy. The Copper, glanc-
ing rather scornfnlly at she recent date Of I
its neighbor. replied that he would get used
to that before he became much older SO
he need not hold his nose at it now.
This reply nettled the Tenpence little,
which muttered something about Pennies
being sometimes made of brass. The PEN
ny, with increasing ill-humor, said that he
was ten times as big as the Tenpence, if he
did not pass for as much, and that silver had
better not put an arstocratic airs there; and
the head OF Liberty was twitched in a threat
ening manner. A benignant Half dollar In
terposed and made peace
Comrades said the figure of Liberty.
spreading out her hands oratorically, com
rades, we are here in new position. We
meet without our own agency; we will soon
be scattered. Let us spend our time in i'm
proving our minds, and by friendly converse
Tighten, if possible, the gloom of this horri
bic prison. propose that each. in turn,
tell how be came to so dismal a place
A universal tingling testified cordial con-
sent, and shouts of Half-doIlar; Half-dollar,'
with clapping from all that had hands, and
a stamping from all that had feet, called
upon the mover of the proposition to begin.
Thus urged, the Halfdollar clearing its
throat began with silvery voice:
Friends am made of the best Mexican
silver, and have always deemed myself
little above standard weight I came hither
thus: Yesterday | was taken out ofa draw
er and cast upon the counter by merchant
tailor. A woman, with very pale, troubled
face, took me and carried me home in her
hand, grasping me very tightly, and some
times looking at me with a sad smile. Be-
ing laid down upon table, looked around
upon little gloomy apartment, cold, cheer
less, and almost without furniture. -Four or
five ragged children gathered about me, and
looked at me with great delight aud think
heard them say something about supper,
or bread, if remember Alright. The woman
without taking off her bonnet. got small
basket, and was apparently on the point oI
taking me up, and going out again, when a
red-faced, british looking man, came in
The children shrunk iEto corner, and stood
in silence clustered together. The woman
sighed heavily. and then recoilecting herself
hurried to pick me up. The man saw her
and darting at me, wrenched me away by
force. She wept, and entreated, and poin
ted 10 the hungry, who were now crying TOO
but he only shook bis fist and swore at her
as he went out ofthe room. He came straigh
to this place. The landlord smiled as b,
handed him a bottle with one hand, Will,
with the other he sweptme into this drawer
Thus you have my story.
The Tenpence was then called upon, bu
politely declined in favor of bis friend th
Penny
Partners of my fate said the Penny
hoarsely, | was not always as rusty as
now am. In fact, when was young,
was considered very bright Yesterday
dead body was found in the river 1t wa
the corpse Of young fellow who had falle,
off the dock when he was drunk. He ba
lain in the water long while, and the hes
was almost gone from his bones. At las
anchor hooked into the rags, and dragge
him to the surface. At the coroner's il
l quest, some of the jurymen became yer
7 thirsty, and the coppers found in the pocket
of which | was one, were sent here for
quart Thus came among you. tru
that the Tenpence will pardon my ill-hnmo
: in consideration Of my misfortunes.
5 Here threecent piece spoke up in thi
juvenile voice.
am here, because dandy. with hair {
his upper lip, paid me for cigar.
So saying, he lodged under copper, al
a was out of sight in an instant. This bri
d speech was received with great applause.
n The figures on the half dimes thumped II
1t tily with their slaves, and an old fashion,
ir cent, 1904, swung the cap of Liberty, al
,e cheered.
lie Here's bill, rolled up in the corner
? shouted quarter, with very suspicio
Of ring. Bill, bill, Speech speech resou
y; ded on all sides, amid a clapping of ham
le and stamping of feet. The figure of Lib
to ty, on waggish Dime, even went SO far
III to poke the unknown with her staff.
at last, Ten Dollar note slowly unrolle1, a
le spoke thus through the portrait of the Pre-
OF dent of the Bank:
If you insist, will tell how | came he
of Yesterday gentleman, well known in t
III community, came into this room. He look
k around cautiously, and no one being pres
. but the landlord laid me down on the /
'e, saying in low whisper You know ths
as am candidate for Office take this,
whenever you see man of the right S
te, do you give him glass or two for me
ng be sure to speak low, when you tell bin
nc whose expense he is drinking
p; Pardon my vanity said the note, "
at | say trust shall never be found
his again
ca Wbat!' growled the rusty copper,
~, cent here honestly! If there is one,
ith us hear from him.
10Y All present were called upon in rotat
,de but the same story in substance was told
One coin, earned by beautiful daugh
to support drunken father, was seized
the him and spent for alcohol. Another
,ne been stolen by petty thief, and paid
;ne treats Most had come from the poe
of men whose families were in sore need.