The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-09-24
The Victim to Politics..

upon the curb, with his feet across the gntter
placed his elbow on a stepping stone, and
like Juliet on the balcony, leaned his head
upon his hand-a hand that would perhaps
have been the better for a covering, though
none would have been rash enough to yolun-
feer to be glove npon it. He was in dilap-
mated condition out at the elbows, out at the
knees, out of pocket, oct of Office, out OF spir-
its, and out in the street; an "oat and outer''
IN every respect, and as oaltre MOI tai as eve,
the eye of man did rest upon. For some time
Mr.. Bush's reflections had been silent Fol-
lowing Hanlet's advice, che gave them an un.
dersfanding, but no tonsue,o and he relieved
himself at intervals by splitting forlornly into
the kennel. AT length, suffering hls locked
hands to fall between his knees, and heayinp
a deep sigh, he spoke:
"A long time ago, my ma used to put on her
specks and say, Peter, my son. put not your
trust in princes;' and from that day to this.
haven't done anything OF the kind, bee cause
none on 'em ever wanted to borrow nothing Of
me and never see prince or king-bui
one or two, and they had been rotated ost Of
office--to borrow nothing of them. Princes!
f6em,s nv sent;m.r,,. .r irnst in politicianers--
well try to hold an eel, for Pve tried both, and
know. Put not your trust in politicaners.
or you'll get ahyst.' zf gs..
"Ten years ago it came into my head tina,
things weren't going on right; so pretty near
ly gave myself up tee-totally TO the good OF
the Republic, and left the ship to look ou. for
Itself. was brimfal Of patriotism, and 50 un.
easy in nv mind for tie salvation of freedom
coui,ln't work. | tried TO guess which side
was going TO win, and stuck to it like wax !;
sometimes was one side, sometimes I was
a 'to,her, and sometimes straddlec till the
election was over, end came up jist in time to
jine the hurrah. 1t was good Twas after; aud
what gnod could do il wasn't onthe elected
side? But, after all, it was never a bit of use.
Whenever the battle was over, no matter what
side was sharing out the loaves and the fishes,
and stepped up. pIl be hanged lf they didn't
cram all they coald into their own mouths, put
their arms over some. and grab at the rest with
their paws, and say: Go way, white man, you
amt capable.' Capable! what's the reason
ant capable? I've got as extensive throat
as any of ZEN, and could swallow the loaves
and fishes without choking, il each loaf was
as big al grind stone aud each fish as big as
a sturgeon. Give Peter chance, and leave
him alone for that. Then another time when
| call q want some spoils,' says I; "a small
bucketful Of spoi!s. Whichever side gets in,
shares the spoils don't they p So they frs.
grinned. and they ups and tell me that virtue
like mine was its own reward, and that spoils
might spoils me. But it was TO spoils tha,
spoilt me. ard no loaf and fish that starved me.
Pm spoilt because couldn't get either.
sPut not your trust in politiciansrs; say it
again. Both sides used me jist alike. Here
pve been serving my country, more or less.
these ten years, like patriot--going to town
meetings hnrraing my daylights out, and get
ting as blue as blazes-blocking the windows,
getting licked fifty times, and having more
black eyes and bloody noses than you could
shake stick at, all for the common good,
and for the purit, of our legal rights; and all
for what? Why for nix. II any good has
come OF il, the country has put it in her own
pocket, and swindi-d me out OF my arnings,-
can't get no office! Republics is ungrateful'
1t wasn't reward was after. scorns the
base insinivation. only wanted to be took
care of, and have nothing TO do but to take
care of the public; and pve only got half
nothing to do! Being took care Of was tn.
main thing. Republics IS uagrat eful! Pm
blasted if they amt. Ihisis the way old SOL
diers ars served Well, well; live and learn
live and learn! The worlds not what q
man takes it for before he finds 1t ont. Whis.
kers grows sooner than what experience does.
Genus and patriotism ain't got no ehance-an',
got na-y look.