The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-04-07
Prom the New York News from Home.
~ THOUGHT 1 wOULDN,f.D


~ THOUGHT WOULDN'T"
Two journeymen mechanics we're ct worl
at their benches, on opposite sides Of {
cabinet makers shop. They were both
about twenty five years Of age; both mar
ried, and healthy and intelligent. Ono Of
them stopped his work, turned round toward
the other, and leaning against his bench,
thus addressed him:
"Dick, always thought you were quick
tempered used to be when you were a
boy. Now, think am not quick temper
ed; but If the boss had talked to me as be
did to you yesterday, bslieve ! should have
knocked him down, let the consequences be
what they might"
t "Well, Tom, l. am quick tempered" re-
piled the person sccosted az Dick, sand as
knocking old Scoldem down, had my
thoughts about that matter, too."
ITO be sure, reekoned you were quite
mad enough, when saw your face as white
~ sheet, -" said Tom, "but should like
to know what your thoughts were on this
solemn OCCASION 40 they say"
Dick laid down his chisel, turned around,
folded his arms and replied
III thought would, and then thought l
wouldn't. When old Scoldem first found
fault with me, and began to scoid me, and
finally got angry and abused me merely be-
cause would not answer him in the same
style, thought-it was no thinking, for it
was only an impulss-it occurred to me that
If should only Just smash his hat down
over his bloated face, and then give him ono
good blow under the left eye, which should
tumble him among the shavings, rather pro-
misouousiy, it would be serving him just
about right, for l was terrible angry. But
then thought-and it was thinking, for it
came after the impulse, and restrained it
then thought that he was great deal old
Or man than myself, and had wife, and
sons and daughters grown up and married,
who would be very much shocked and panied
to hear that be had been treated in this way;
and thought, too, that was in his employ
and could quit him at any moment if his
service was intolerable, and that is would be
disgrace to me to have it reported that
had had fight with my boss; and thought
how bad Lucy would feel If was arrested
for breach of the peace, or even made
myself liable to be, and SO thought |
wouldn't"
"Ah! Dick, )" said Tom, ssthose were not
e1ectly your feelings, l reckon, when you
took hold of your hammer, then pushed it
away from you. believe was as white
as you, Just at that moment, for expected
you'd drop him sure"
s'You are mistaken, Tom," replied Dick
81 did not take hold of the hammer from
any impulse or design to use it, but 81
seize it and strike him without stirring out
Of my tracks, and so pushed it over the
end Of the bench, and it fell among the
shavings, and it took me long time to find
it when wanted to use it again."
"Well," said Tom, 81 don't believe
could have stood what you did, anyhow
But you use that expression-I thought l
wouldn't,' as If it was . sort of favorite
one; have you adopted it as a motto
for your coat OF arms, should like to
know ?''
"sSorter some, sorter not some,' as they
say out West, }" replied Dick, laughing; "but
have stereotyed expression, and that is the
reason, for instance, why those who speak
the English language arelalways seeking for
that liberty expressed in the great phrases
which are so commonly used in books,
speeches and newspapers. So confess l
have got one little pet phrase, which, when
I am IN action, reads-'l think l won't,' and
when am pondering over what didn't do,
sigui6es Il thought wouldn't And think
this phrase over good deal, and confess
it does me good. l will tell you how got
into it:
"About year ago, went home one damp,
slushy, thawing night. rather late for sup
per. Old Scoldem had been very cross that
day, and very insolent and that, with 'he
unpleasant weather, made me feel very cross
too, very. Well, got home, the fire was
almost out, the room uncomfortable; but
supper was ready, and we sat down at the
table. Lucy did not seem inclined to talk !;
little Jimmy was fretful the tea was weak
and cold, and toast wasn't made right. |
felt very much annoyed, and-I thought
would just tell Lucy in confidential sort OF
way, that the tea was only slops, and that the
toast wasn't fit to be thrown to the pigs /;
and that would then put on my hat and 60
off to the Odd Fellows Lodge earlier than
usual, and thus serve her right. But then
looked across the table at Lucy, who sat
there holding her baby, eating nothing, and
looking pale and weary, and noticed, too,
that little Jimmy looked flushed, as he sat
there in his arm chair; and il occurred to
me that it was just possible that my wife
might be feeling ill and that little Jimmy was
affected by the weather, just like Older folks,
and that perhaps this damp air affected the
draueht of the chimney. asked Lucy if
she as i'll, and she said for six hours she
had q terrible nervous headache. SOL
thought | Wouldn't say anything about
the tea and toast, but l persuaded Lucy to
lay down on the settee with the baby,
while took Jimmy on my knee, and COM
menced telling him story, while put on
bis night-gown and got him into his crib,
were, as / was describing to him the old
mans sheep jumping over the wall-then
another-and then another-and then an
other-and then another-he went over the
wall with the twentieth sheep, and was fast
asleep.
Then cleared the table, and put away
the things till morning, raked out the IRE
and got It going, and looked at the baby,
who was asleep and put it in the cradle. |
got some cold water and bathed Lucy's
hands and face, and smoothed down her
hair with my hands, magnetism, you
think? we'll no matter;) and placed . wet
cloth above her forehead. ! asked her if
she was better 6 Yes," she said, with
sweet smile, and fairly went to sleep wnlle
she said so. So got down book Of trav-
els, and forgot all about myself for cou-
ple Of hours. Then looked up, and a. !
saw little Jimmy sleeping so soundly and
pleasantly in his crib, where he had kicked
himself out to the top of his bed cloths;
and baby, too, doing with her thumb in her
and Lucy rsposing so refreshing!y,
with a half smile on her pretty ips-the
Ere now burning brightly, and the rain pat,
terine against the windows, was glad
did not speak cross to Lucy, and leave her
sick and alone with deranged kitchen, .
dull Gre. q fretful child, and nursing ba-
by. What q brute l should have been ii l
had have done it Z"
eyes Of COURSE" answered Tom rather
slowly, for be was just then impressed With
the idea that be, with all his good temper,
had /" done it at time not very remote
But he regained his compoeure BY saying
50 Well, 20 on, Dick, this is a. interesting
40 prize tale" i
81 have little more to say" continued
Dick. 81 have considered the matter
great deal. and the more consider upon 1t,
tha mora often &c think WON'T when