Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-12-03

ductions of the most eminent Americ. Z
scholar, unless the work is interspersed
with Greek, Latin and French terms and
phrases. so as to render it almost unin
telligible to the reading public.
We will now leave our gentleman on
stills, whose head has long dwelt among
the clouds, and a. we come down from
that visionary region, let US cast our eye
upon the
IDLE MAN,
As we see him at the corner of the street
or packed away in the corner Of some
shop, or piled up on dry goods box in
the village store, or acting as third class
waiter in some tavern or grog. shop, or
with his gun and borrowed dog, ranging
through the forest in pursuit of pur-
fridge or squirrel, or perhaps with hook
and line, wasting his time by the brook
side with truant boys, or with an un.
paid jackknife defacing some valuable
fence. Or injuring beautiful shade tree;
or it may be he is arranging for a dog
fight, to annoy decent people aud make
himself appear more odious and hateful
than ever before.
Idle me n, or loafers as they are some
times termed, are an unabasable sar up
on the industrious portion Of communi-
ty. They are perpetual consumers, but
not producers. They live upon the la
boring classes as the CAD fly does upon
the noble horse. They are useful only
as they are the means Of developing and
putting to the test the grace Of patience
They are in the world by permission
of our Heavenly Father, but for what
purpose we cannot tell. They must oe
borne with, and cared for by virtuous
and Industrious public.
St. Paul expressed it as his opinion
that if "a man would not work, neither
should he eat" and it is quite evident
that he was by no means too severe
One thing is certain, if they should be
compelled to subsist upon the legitimate
fruit Of their own industry, they would
very nearly reduce to practice the Apos.
ties doctrineA
One very important reason why idle.
ness should not be tolerated; indeed, why
every man should condemn it by precep'
and example is, that it is well-known
fact, that idleness is the procuring cause
of nearly all Of our fourpence-halfpenny
rogues, and of some Of our tallest vii.
lains.
Much of the theft, the street rows, and
other annoyances in village and country,
are traceable to idleness as its legitimate
! source.
You will generally find an idle, loaf
ing set Of hangers-on, at almost every
tavern, shop and saloon. They are
ready to be treated to cigar. or. to
something that has less smoke and more
fire.
They know every thing that is going
on, and are ready to pitch into any
scrape that turns up where they happen
to be.
If you want to circulate piece Of
SANDER, they are the men to take the
job. They will work with their tongues
but not with their hands. If you wan.
little swearing done, they are general
ly in the spirit oft. They are always
convenient witnesses in court of justice
only let them know beforehand what you
want them to say.
; A quart of rum and fig Of tobacco
will generally change their politics; and
that party is the most certain Of thei,
services at the polls. that has the last
opportunity Of furnishing these articles
If an idle, loafng young man could
look upon himself, as he is viewed by
the industrious and respectable portion
Of community. he would turn away from
the sight with feelings Of disgust. He
would begin to shake himself as the lior
does his manc. He would gather up
what strength he has, and leap out of hi:
pit of 6lth-he would throw off his lazy
habits, as he would garment from the
pest house, and at once enter upon the
discharge Of his duties as a man and a
citizen.
Some, perhaps, are too far gone to re-
cover-Life, the real life of man, runs
too low to have its fires re.kindled.
Others there are who might save them
selves if they would.
Thus far, we have looked upon the
dark side of society. Dark indeed, is
the picture of human nature as we have
viewed it.
But if we look upon the face of the
earth, we behold bogs, swamps, deserts
and barren wastes. If we should stop
here, the heart would sicken, and fear.
full thoughts Of the abode of man would
rush hurriedly through the mind. But
there is something else for the eye to rest