The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-01-14

LII Mi. w epSlef7S OOEhOOQ, tnefe llFed IN his
native town man by the name of Hammond,
arough, uncullivated, but kind hearted, honest
fellow, half farmer and half backwoodsman.-
Hammond's boys were expert in cunning and
fishing, and Mr.. Webster, who always had an
especial fondness for such sports, was often ac-
companied by them in his excursions, and be-
came we'll acquainted with the family.
After time the Hammonds emigrated to
some wild region near the Canada frontier, and
for several years Mr.. Webster lost all trace of
them, but during one of his college vacations
desire to SEE his old friends again determined
him to search them out. After some trouble,
he succeeded in discovering their place of abode,
and a somewhat fatiguing journey brought him
to the log cabin of the eccentric old wanderer,
who had fixed his residence as far as possible
from the settlements, which were becoming too
densely populated to suit his ideas of comfort
able life. Hammond and his good dame, with
their stout boys, were of course delighted to
meet Mr.. Webster again, and the rude hospi
talltes ofthe cabin were extended with open
hands. The family was poor-much poorer
than lie expected to find it, but not less cheer
ed and happy were its members.
Supper was at once provided by the kind
hostess, for said Hammond, 'Dan'l's hungry
Young Webster had keen appetite and enjoyed
the meal, but for the first time in his life par
took Of a dish which even Parker, with all his
entrees, never would have dreamed Of This
was nothing more or less than grass fried in
lard, which formed the principal neal
The "fodder" having been duly discussed
and cleared away, Hammond entered into con
atio Mr.
things was anxious to know what pursuit his
young friend designed to follow Mr. Webster
replied that he had not definitely made up his
mind, but supposed he should be either ply
sican, minister or lawyer.
"Dan'l,' said Hammond, "you are good
head, and can make a figure in the world, if
you don't throw your chances away. Now,
have some experience, though | havn't much
acquaintance sake. Don't you 90 to being Il
doctor-it's hard work, gettin' up O. nights, and
rottin' round with those eternal saddle bags,
nor wouldn't be minister ncither-t's poor
kind of livin' and you'd be tired of the ever
astin' preachin'; and as for the lawyers, they're
all Internal rascals
fortin', and won't charge nothin' for it, neither
just the right sort of chap for conjurin' and them
fellows make a power of money. A good many
of the people lose their COWS, and there's a way
to tell how they've gone. l don't know how.
but you've book larnin', and can find out and
know everything ust as these chaps do, and
besides you can tell fortins Take my advice,
Dan'], and be conjurer."
Mr. Webster was greatly diverted, but took
b;c Il
was exceedingly earnest and sincere in giving
decide carefully. After partaking again of fried
Hammond's parting words were, ''don t.forget,
Dan'l, conjurln's the thing for YOU"
BUYING GoLD--There is an old proverb that
''a man may buy gold too dear We do not
know who was the author Of the ''saw," but it
is wise one at any rate.
"A man may buy gold to dear" None but
the excessive mlser, who would barter every
thing for the yellow DUST can doubt bat that
even the most precious of metals can be bought
too dear.
H buys gold, the broker will tell you, who
pays five dollars for sovereigns, when the rate
ofexchanye is only four dollars and eighty four
cents. The broker buys money merely to sell
again. and he therefore considers it only in re,
lation TO what it Nlltetch.
But there are cases where gold may be
bought too dearly, even though it may be sold
again for more than it cost 1iold may be pur-
chased too dear--altogether too dear-when
life, health friendship, conscience, Or peace of
mind, is sacrificed in the purchase; yet, how
often does the one Or the other, or all of these
ham in no Of
y the sole aim of SO large portion of mankind.
Gold is bought too dear, by the man who,
leaving friends, relations, fresde and home,
seeks distant land-it may be in an unhealthy
climate--sOlely with the view of amasSing
fortune sooner than it could be acquired at home.
and unexposed to the dangers and priva,ons
of the distant region. He gains the fortune,
indeed-he accomplishes the object of bis de-
sire--but at what expense! Health is gone.
He returns from the Indies with his god-but
it has cost him too dear. He is, no doubt to
some, an object of envy for his wealth-but to
others, and the most judicious part of mankind,
he is the object of pity rather, account Of his
folly, who has bartered the noblest of blessings
for heap of shining dust He cannot enjoy
bis gold when purchased. With saIow coun-
tenance, an enfeebed gait and broken con-
slltutlOn, nc appears among his ancient neigh
bors-a Nd bob, understanding them, for
a short tine, with his wealth, his splendor and
his equipage-then he sinks into the grave, d
victim to the enormous price he has paid for his
gold. Sure it has cost him too dearly He has
soourned in distant land. He has Gorgone
the pleasures and comforts of home and friends
He has subjected himself to disease. and ex
posed himself to death. And, though lie has
not fallen prey to the latter in a foreign cline.
he has merely made a respite for few short.
miserable years. He has purchased his gold
too dearly because he has not, by its posses
sion, gained any equivalent for the amount Of
the cost competence he might have acqur
ed at home. A competence is all man can
enjoy, and all beyond is, of course, no better
than so much worthless dross; it is gold bought
too dear.
All this, however, is on the supposition that
it has been gotten honestly. But when it has
been obtained by sacrifice of Conscience
when moral principle has been bartered in the