The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-02-20
MGREGOR, FRIDAY, FEB 20, 1857

ruin me after all what's the good Of a
wife :? I spoke aloud now. and to my
clock as if arguing with it; with her sci.
fish habits, love Of display, troublesome
relations and children. Ten, suggested
the clock, in number, said I adopting the
remark, as if the clock had spoken. The
eldest an impertinent ungraceful son.: a
staggering, drinking, useless fellow. ha.
ting me, deriding his mother, and lead
ing his younger brothers, who regard him
as model Of manliness. and to copy
whom is their highest ambition, into every
kind of wickedness, and who taking their
cries from him, play youthful, but ex-
ceedingly strong game, and can give 20
with perfect safety and beat at that, thus
beginning to be fast and fast beginning
to be regular bloods, kindly bestowing
upon me the affectionate title of the old
Boy, and wishing I were dead in order to
obtain my cash box. The younger ones
a noisy, squeezing. restless set of cherubs,
always wanting manners and cents. And
shall these things come to pass +? No by
Jove, never shall Tom Henderson have
cause to use the words of the immortal
bard,
SHOW sharper than serpents tooth it is to have
q thankless child"
Inwardly congratulating myself upon
this important resolve, returned to my
seat, thankfully raised my eyes to the
ceiling, let them down gently to the floor
and-took drink Ye Gods what bliss,
what extatic pleasure there is in steam
ing whiskey punch, made after Ben John
sons own recipe, how it warns the blood,
strengthens the muscles and rushing ting
ling through the veins till reaching the
heart, it steams away at that as if to melt
it, opening the pores, like the steam pack
of hydropathic institution; making it
sensible of the warmth and pleasure with
out. AS l thought this smiled and pat
ted my cat, who had just returned from
an unsuccessful rat chase, with sorrow
full expression of countenance, l could al
most swear there was a tear in her eye,
and she returned my caress with CRATE.
full purr. But hark, can it be possible,
striking again, it seems but few minutes
since my clocks former suggestion, and
now its striking with doubtful, uncer-
tain expression as though it might be but
was rather mixed, like the milkman' s
cream of New York City.
How it blows and storms outside, the
clouds have been increasing, accompanied,
like Julien in Castle Garden, with large
assortment of wind all day, and are now
letting out little of their extra supply.
Hailing, showing and raining by turns.
with the wind whistling in the cracks and
key holes, and rafting at the windows,
seems to say only-let-me-catch-you-out
side-won't-I-shake you; after which, hav-
ing blown itselfquite out of breath. it with
a final jerk whistles on the brakes and
stops ten minutes for refreshments. Puss
having become tired of my company, OF
course she would, being female and l
nothing hut dry old bachelor, has cleared
out, leaving me entirely alone. AS run
over my acquaintances, come to the pain
full conclusion that l among them all, have
no real true friend, what if should be
taken sick, who would care for me, smooth
my pillow, sympathise with my sorrows,
and if should die, weep for me with
those precious tears of sorrow that money
cannot buy. l looked at my clock and ii
seemed to shrug its shoulders as if to say,
that was my lookout, turned to my pipe
but this interesting tho plethoric smoker
having like verdant youth on his first
string, become bowled out for the night,
could give me no advice or answer, but
lay on the table leering at me with its great
wide mouth in perfect derision of my lone
illness, which for the moment almost tempt.
ed me to break it. Having therefore nc
chance for an answer, except in my own
heart, continued the argument as if be.
fore judge. Suppose a had wife
a sparkling, lively, beautiful being, full Of
life, soul and heart, upon whom the angel
stamp of true woman was impressed
who loving me, loved also him who made
us both and blending the two as none but
woman can, would help me gently dowr
life's staircase, smoothing my cares and
sorrows with kind hand and loving smile
until we reached the last step, where i
God so willed, we might together step of
and journey hand in hand to eternity.
My fire like my cat is out; The clocl
points to one minute Of twelve, placing me
like Ali Baba, in the fairy tale, within {
short space of the forty, and as write
strikes with deliberate sorrowful man
ner, and Old Mr.. Time approaching will
the last stroke has knocked me into lny
fortie,h year. w. D.
THANKSGIVING ADJUSTMENTS Dow,
EAsr-The old woman Emneror who of