Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-06-25
lQSGRl B a NROUY.
INTERESTING STORY.
THE MAN WHO STRUCK HIM
SELF.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.


Jason Elder belonged TO that rather
large class OF persons who find pleasure in
the suferlngs or misfortunes of their fel-
low men. This is stating the case rather
broadly, and we do not, in the least, doubt
that Jason, should he ever discover this
introduction of himself to the public, will
eject our classification, so far as he is con-
cerned. We make it underslandingly,
however. The fault we have indicated is
usually the companion Of another. The
man who feels pleasure in the i'll fortune
Of another will hardly hesitate to inhict
an injury, if it can be done with imppnily.
Men Of the class 10 whom Jason Elder
belonged, rarely pass far on their life. jour,
ney Without misunderstanding with some
of their fellow passengers. OF course
they are always in the right, and their fell
low passengers in the wrong. And, as
they are the injured and oppressed, it is
the most natural thing in the world for
them to feel indignant, and quite as natural
to retaliate-giying blow for blow.
'Ihe man who wrongs me, | neither
forgive nor forget This was one Of Ja-
son Elders sayings, and a very bad saying
we cannot help declaring il TO be-particu-
larly so in Jason's case, for he quite lived
up to his principles. OF course, judgment
as TO wrong was always rendered BY him
self, and on evidence, wholly &c parie.-
If he believed that another meant 10 do
him wrong-and he could believe, some
times OH very slight evidcnce-an evil
purpose was quickly born in his mind as
if positive testimony we:e before his eyes.
In fact Jason Elder was a very bad sort
of man, and often very troublesome TO
those who had any dealings with him.
Among those who were favored with
the hearty dislike of Mr. Elder, was
master mechanic in a small way, named
Martin Lee, who, by industry and econo-
my, had accumulated enough to buy him
self house of moderate size, as home
for his family. Elder also owned house
in the same neighborhood. These houses
were built on piece Of ground that orig
inaIIy belonged to the same estate.
Mr.. Lee was very upright man-too
upright and independent to have much in
tercourse with a man like Elder, and not
mortally offend him. He had so offended
him, and the offence was neither forgotten
nor forgiven. In more than one instance
his enemy had sought to do him injury,
but the poisoned arrows, flung from the
bow, had flown harmIcssly by him.
One day, while in company with one
of those idle, gossipping individuals who
give more attention TO other peoples busi-
ness than they do to their own, the latter
said, in responding to some iIl-natured re-
mark uttered against Mr.. Lee: i learned
fact that, may be, you would like to
hear.
About that Lee!' eagerly inquired Elder.
Yes, or | might say, about the ground
on which he has built that snug little house" ;"
'Indeed' Our gentleman was all alive
now, and commenced rubbing his hands
in delightful expectation. What about
the ground!'
Title Detective was the laconic an
swer.
No
Fact Had it from old Larkin; and
rather think he ought to know something
about it,
Well, that is the news! Got bad title,
eh? | wonder who's on the hip now, Mr..
Martin Lee!'
But surely, Mr.. Elder said his infor-
mant, you will not take advantage of this
information TO injure our friend Leel'
Won't |, indeed? Wait and see. If l
don't deal him a staggering blow; my
name is not Jason Elder-that's all.
always said I'd bide my time. Ha! Ha !!
A flaw in his title. But that's just his
way of doing business. I'd like TO see
any one pick flaw in mine
True to the evil purpose declared, Elder
took the first opportunity to search out the
party to whom the property owned by Lee
would revert, in case defect really did
exist in his title, and communicated the
fact alleged. This individual, whose name
was Earl, seemed at first incredulous; but