Litchfield enquirer., 1857-01-15
The Speckled Axe,

Dr. Franklin, in his autobiography, tells a story of man who went one day to buy an axe and having bought ope expressed a wish that it had been bright instead of black on which the smith who made the axe, replied /: "Oh if you'll turn the grindstone, we'll soon make it bright" No sooner said than done, and they set to work but presently the pur- chaser felt tired, for the smith pressed so heav- him sweat again. and he wanted to leave of. Keep on, keep en," said the smith, and the man turned slowly for short time longer, un- til, overcome with fatigue, he once more wish ed to stop. "keep on keep on l" repeated the smith, cit isn't bright yet, it's only spek- led" Well never mind,' answered the buy CT, Il think Ike the spceklcd axe the best. ;
 In this incident VIC have an example on a small scale, of what takes place all over the world And it struck me one day, as l was thinking about it, that the demand for speck. led axes is one that is always active as tho people could nc more grow tired Of buying those useful instruments, than they can Of cat ing bread. It was very curious, l thought that speckles should be preferred to perfect brightness.
 While I was cogitating thercnpon, it came
 uto my mind that perhaps some good nigh. be done by setting down a few instances ot buyers having been content to take the infer' or article, when by proper care and judgment, they might have the best. And here is the list ..-..f. ....
 Whenever sec man striving from mcrc vanity to make name, and fancying that he is nn de of different material to his fellow crca. lures, and tEat he docs them favor by lrntg among them, aud who does not care by what means he rises So that he does rise then l say-he likes speckled axe hest. Whenever ] sec a young man in want of 8 wife, choosing partner for life merely because she has q pretty face. or dances well, or sings a nicc song, or plays nnbly On the piano, and never asking whethvr she can make shirt or roast d leg of mutton. or whether she is one likely to make home happy then>I say--hc likes a speckled axe best.
 Whenever see man frequcnting the tap room, or the tavern par,or night after night, Us so many are in the habit of doi@g, while his wife sits at home, perhaps darning his stock ings, or making trock tor tic little one oat ot all old gown when sce this man bent Oil his own selfish eradication as though he had any more right to be wasting his time or money than his wife has then say-hc likes a speckled axe best
 Whenever sec boys at school looking up on learning and knowledge as something in. vented for their torment. and forgetting that youth is their only seed time, that their parent: frequently have to make great sacrifices tG gige them all education, and thinking it fair te deceive their master provided they be not found out, although ignorance or worse may be the consequence ef such conduct; then say they like spcckled axe best. .5.s-g Whenever go to house where I see the servants with a sept -dcwn look, and hear then 1 whisper ugly things to their master and nlis tress-when see them stintcd of food CT re lcreation-when see the cld,cn looking tiul i'd or unhappy. never laughing the merry Iausl of childhood a-whefc the sunshine seems less bright than elsewhere then l say--scme ont l m this house likes speckled axe best
 Whenever l see man refuse to do good turn when the opportunity comes in his way not speaking good word for his friend whe, his friend needs it, thinking very much more about his own convenience, and what the world will say, than of what conscience commands then sa.-he likes sreckled axe best.