Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-06-22
The SpeckIcaI Ak.

tells a sto'y Of a man who went one
day to buy an AK, aud having bought
one, he expressed wish that it had
been bright instead of black; on which
the smilh who made the AZ, replied.
"Oh, if you turn the g:ind-stone we'll
soon make it bright" No sooner said
than done, and they went To work, but
presently the purchaser felt tired, for tie
smith pressed SO heavily on the stone, the
labor Of turning made him sweat again,
and he wanted to leave off. "K.ep on
said the smith, and the man turned slowly
for short time longer, until, overcome
with fatigue, he once moru wished to stop.
keep on. keep on" repeated the smith.
sit isn t bris shL yet; ifs only speckl d."
."Wcll. never mind" answered the
buyer, Il think like a specklcd ax the
best
In this incident we have an example, on
a small scale, of what takes place all over
the world Oh large scale. And it struck
me one day, as | was thinking about it,
that tho demand for speckled axes is one
that is always active; though people could
no more grow tired Of having these useful
instruments Than they can OF eating bread
1t was very curious that speckled should
be preferred 10 perfect brightness.
While l was cuagitaliong thereupon, ii
came into my mind that perhaps some
good might be done by setting down few
INSTANCES OF buye having been content u
take .he inferior article, when, by proper
care and judgment, they might have The
best Aud here is II Isl:
When | See man surviving from mere
va lity TO make II name. and Iancylny that
he is made OF different material TO his fell
low, 'atures, and that he does them fa-
yor by living among them, and who does
not cure by what means lie rises, SO that he
does rise; then, l say - he likes 1pecklcd
AK best.
Whenever see man in business in
tent only on making money. rs though
that were the only thing worth living Tor,
aud not caring what wrongs may bc Gar-
ried ON in his establishment, nor how his
customers may be tricked, 80 he makes a
profit, then, | say-he likes Il specklcG AK
best.
| Whenever see Young man IN want ol
wife, choosing partner for life merely
because she has pretty face, dances well
or sings a nice song, or plays nlmbly upon
the piNno, and never asking whether she
can make shirt or roast a leg of mutton
or whether she is one to make home happy,
then, l say--he likes II speckled n,
best.
Whenever l see man frequenting the
tap room, or the tavern parlor, night attel
night, as SO many are in the habit of doing
and his wife sits at home, perhaps darning
his stockings or making frock Tor tin
littla one out Of an old gOwE; when L se'
this man bent on his own selfish gra.itica
ton, AS though he had any more right L
be wasting time or money than his wifi
has; then, Lay--he likes a speckled ~
best.
Whenever l see boy at school looking
upon learning and knowledge rs something
invented for their torment, and forgettm:
that youth is their only seed tin.r, tina
their parents frequently have to make grca
sacrihces to give them an education, anc
thinking it fair to deceive their masters
provided they be not found out, although
ignorance, or worse, may be the conse
Guences of such conduct; then, l say
they like speckled NIX best.
Whenever see man trying to maxi
+ himself believe that he may indulge in Ger
tain secret sins and vices, if the world doe
, not know of them, that 30 long rs BE cal
make people believe he is good and virtu
GUS. he may hug private wickedness to HI
heart; then l say--he likes speckled =
best.
, Whenever go into house where | Sc
/ the servants with Kept dOWn look, An
hear them whisper ugly things OF thei
/ master and mistress, when l see ther
{ stinted Of ood or recreation, when see tn
8 children looking timid and unhappay
: never laughing the merry laugh Of child
hood; where the sunshine seems lchs briyt
than elsewhere; then, | say--some pne
8 this house likes a speckled AK best.
D When see a man refuse to do goo
' turn when the opportunity comes in hi
way, not speaking good word Tor b
friend when his friend needs it, thinkin
r very much more about his convenicn,
n and what the world will say, Than of whi
a conscience commands; then, L SAY
likes specklcd AK best.