The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-02-09
From the New York Ledger
AN EVIL SPIRIT: AND HOW IT WAS
EXERCISED.
nv an OLD CONTRIBUTOR


Mark Edgartoa was one of the unhappiest
men that ever lived and yeth was surround.
ed by all those outward circumstances which,
in the eye Of the werd, 20 to make up the
chief source OF human comfort He was a
farmer, and well off in pecuniary affairs: not
only owning one of the best farms in the
country, with an excellent stock, and spaci-
Gus buildings, but having money at interest.
And the he had health of body, aud sound
constitution and he bad one of the best OF
wives and some pf the best children; and he
had many friends, and few enemies. What,
then, should make Mark Edgartnn unhappy
It was a spirit which he carried in. his bosom
--an evil genius that often-times gained pos
session n his soul. In short, he was cursed
with high timper, and It was continually
gaining the mastery over him. Those who
knew him best, and had reason to ike him
for his better qualities, could in measure,
overlook his frequent outbursts Of passion
and they had become 80 used to them they
seldom suffered themselves to be annoyed by
his storms.
But there was one who was ANNOYED By
them-one who could not escape the storm
-One who could not smile the effects OF the
passion away and that Mark Edgarton him.
self. While others seemed 10 bow unharm.
ed beneath the torrents Of his wrath. he was
shaken and tossed upon the rebounding tide
Ills wife suffered much, and so did his chill.
drrn; but he loved them WE'LL and his love
was manifested in 50 many WAYS, that they
had after all more occasion to bless than "a
blame him.
One day Mr.. Edgarton came into the
Kitchen, aud sal down by the window Iii:
brew was contracted, his lips bare and qui.
yercd, his hands clenched, and his whole
frame under the tremor Of some great excite
mcnt.
Was that Mr. Lander who just went Out
Of the yard 7" inquired Mrs. Edgarton, in !
careful tone. She had heard high words il
the she'd. and she knew there had beer
trouble.
"Ycs !" growIcd her husband. with gnasl
of the teeth. "lt was Mister Tim Lander
But I'll give him lesson one Of thes,
days !"
What has he done -
"Done You'd better ask what he hasn'
done. Confonnd him I'd like TO wrinj
his neck lor lin y
y Why thought Mr. Lander was on,
oT the most quiet and inoileusse men il
town. What has he done, Mark =
lnofcnsise!' y CRASHED out MIR. Edgar
ton, with a. much of concentrated sarcasm
and wrath combined as be could comman,
in a single expression. al don't know wha
,uu mean by that but can inform Miste
Timothy Lander, and the rest Of bis kidney
that don't want any of their mcdling II
Has he mcddlcd with your affairs
Marx 2"
YES"
Howl"
mo matterl Hes mcddlcd enough 10
one day, aud guess you'd better attend I
your own business now !"
Mrs. Edgarton said no more. She pitic
her husband, and hence bis harshncss va
borne the more easily. shortly aitcrward
Mark went nnt. aud one Of the buys came ia
and presently she heard her son telling I
his sister the story ol his fathers interview
with Tim Lander.
Mr.. Edgarton had been putting up a
open she'd on one side Of his barn.yard, ic
the sheep and cattle 20 run in; and Lander
as he stood looking at it, suggested that
would have been better 10 have placed
eight or ten inches higher. Nj. Edsaito