The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-05-13
An Essay on sLoafers.
BY "NEMo MARC. :"

BY "NEMo MARIO" ai'I & ~
The title of this may appear strange to
many persons, but we are treating of q
queer class of persons familiarly designa-
ted as loafers-can be found, in the sum.
mer months, basking his s'wearied limbs"
on the soft side offs white board, and in the
winter months lounging around the coun-
ters of stores, ornestling close to the stove,
thinking of the necessity but impossibility
of his attendance in every place at all times,
while he thinks it is absolutely necessary
that he should attend to every bodys bus
mess except his own.-These idlers inhabit
stores, and by their apparent drowsy state
would be taken specifically as not having
the least idea of what was passing around
them, but they are wide awake; they no.
|tice every gesture, every sale, every Gus
toner and calculates the profits and advan-
tages derived from the articles which are
bartered away. Loafers are divided into
two classes.
First class-the persons belonging to
this class you may think a great deal OF;
they may be particular friends; these are
rather delicate to be approached; still he
is "loafer," and should be clasSed as one.
But say you, it would be very improper
for me to consult chosen friend Of mine,
on the propriety of removing his person
from my property; that would beiprepos-
terous8 But he is loafer aud should be
treated as SUCH His continued presence
in yonr store prevents many lady CUSTOM
mers from coming in to purchase. If he
does observe such hints as these and
comprehenGs them, it does not treform him,
for in a few days he is occupying the same
old place, reclining in the armchair, en-
velopedin cloud Of smoke, gently rising
from an immense "Havana," which he
carefully removes from his mouth to give
clear passage for volume of tobacco
spit. While enjoying all the comforts he
would take it as an objectionable insult
| ifhe. should be asked to retire. This may
meet the eye of some one who willlio doubt
see that it applies to his case exactly.
The second class consist of protest. onal
loafers, who can bear all the reproachr that
could possibly be heaped upon them with
out taking the least insult from your re-
marks. The members of this class cam al-
ways be found inhabiting printing offices
and grocery stores. sitting on the counter,
orstretched at full length on boxes and
barrels, prying into anything that does not
concern them, and carefully avoiding those
which do; debating. to- the attendants as il
they were the supreme rulers oftlie estab-
ishment. Ofsuch loafers a good kicking
out of the house would be the shortest aud
eficacious method of getting rid of them,
they deserve such treatment. - iaas 8
Loaferism ranks the lowest of all acts
natural to man. There are many genteel
loafers who popin once in a while to have
a social chat with the proprietors.. His
occasional sittings do not seem at 6rstnte
Iretard the business from going about his
work; but gradually his visit become.6xed
fact, and his presence begins to be intol
erable TO such, then, we would give g
little advice, viz: stay at home to Keep
r the children quiet, and if you have none
i stay to keep the stove warm. Spend you
Ievenings at home, for you hinder the mer
chant from regularly attending to his bus
mess. In fact, attend to your own bus
! mess, and it will attend to you. Yo,
may take it into consideration that yol
!. are losing all the time you are loa6ng-
i this time is more valuable than gold. -
J, Why not be reading useful books whef
you have leisure evenings. You are get
: ting your character for loafng firmly Sc
( in the mind Of those persons whose place
t OF. business you frequently inhabit.. TAX
:. warning in time, before you are entere'
on their books as practical, habitua
: idier. aFor ialers destroy character" y.