The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-04-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE MILLER AND THE FARMER
THE WAY THE WORLD GOES.
Or

How often do men mistake the shadow
FOR the substance, or one thing for ano-
ther' Fallacy is mistaken for trnth,
soph:stry for argument, deceit for phi
lanthropy, religion for goodness, lash
ness for bravery, ambition for patriotism,
profession for practice, riches for happiness.
money for wealth, power for purity, cruelty
for greatness, Mammon for God, and so on
al iyInitum. Men are too easily captivated
by first appearance-too easily blinded with
forms and ceremonies; they are too superficial
never looking under the surface of things,
never getting at the truth that lies at the
bottom of the we'll because forsooth, even
with the endless lever of education, i. re
quires little exertion to draw it up to the
light, where its bright purity can b.
seen aud admired Thoughtlessness anil
se!hshness are the leading characteristics of
TIE many; cunning and seltishncss are tn,
chief characteristics of the few, who take
advantage of the blind haste OF their les Z,
knowing fellows and make them carry prist
70 the mill where nine tenths, instead of one
tenth, was taken for toll. lndirection is the
means used.
The miller lays out the road to his mil
the farmer turns out and builds 1.-THE miller
insisting upon this because the farmer is the
one who will use it. But instead of LAYING
out the road along one bank of the stream
the miller, r,under various p letcxts crosses the
stream some four times between the mill
and the farmers house and as the farmer is
unskilled in bridge making, the miller vol
unteers to make the bridge on condition
that the farmer shall pay toll This is Con-
aented to, the work is completed, and the
whole thing is looked upon by both p,rtie.
rs an admirable arrangement. The farmer
feels himself immeasurably benefited by the
Z rcondescension of the miller IN doing so much
with such apparent dsinterestedness, to Sc.
cure him good road on which to carry his
corn to mill; the miller is delighted with the
idea of taking toll not oaly at the mill, but
at the bridges.
The miller retires to his mill, after having
stationed toll takers at the bridges, to awai,
the result, which he knows will be rapid
rePlenishment Of his granary. The farmer
goes home, and makes preparation to re-
now his stock Of meal. lie puts ten bags Of
corn in his wagon, and starts for the mill
At each ofthe four bridges he drops bag
of corn for toll-he has agreed to pay one
tenth, and the miller's agent insists that the
spirit Of the contract is that toll shall be paid
at each bridge and the amount with which
the farmer started away from home-from
which Ii will be seen that the miller employ
eda skilful lawyer to draw up the contract
This is somewhat perplexing to the farmer
rs ne understood that he WAS to pay only
tepth Of what was in his wagon at starting
instead Of tenth at each crossing, amoun-
ting to four tentis; but the contract is 4 le.
gal ono, the law compels him to fulfill il
under severe penalty, and he quietly sub.
mits Reaching the mill, he is cordially re.
sleved BY the miller, who proceeds In ready
business like manner to grind the corn,
now reduced to six bags; but instead of tax.
ing less than half bag or one tenth for hi.
services, he empties the entire contents of
49, - NV hiS oiIl. NJ Tins the faFmrR
fnnrmurs, saying that double toll has been
taken. wv"
aAh," says tho miller blandly, ayou for. |
get the agreement in our contract tbs, |
should have one tenth of all the corn you
bring over the road, as a consideration for
my great trouble and expense, You see
really taks nothing for grinding, and am BY
right entitled to one tenth Of the Eve bags
emptied in the hopper--but I AN naturally
generous, and would regret to do an, thing
una. would look like taking advantage Of you |
and win therefore decline the usual toll as
y y not absolutely specified In the contract
that shall have Il, and II msy be urged that
the specific toll prohibits my taking q.
customary Ones
in vain the farmer uresd nat hs did ma,
bring ton busksls Of corn over the road
'ortions ofsseius ieft along the wrv a.