Litchfield enquirer., 1861-01-03
Whole No. 1857.

man could be kinder than the Deacon He has been known to harness in all haste and rush to the neighboring town at four o'clock in the morning, that he might bring her some delicacy she had fancy for-for that he could see the use of; but be could not sym. pathize in her craving desire to see Powers Greek Slave, which was exhibiting in q neighboring town. "What did Christian people want of such images?" he wanted to know He thought the Scripture put that thing down" Eyes have they, but they see not t--ears have they, but they hear not neither speak they through their throats.-= They that make them are like unto them; SO is every one that trusteth in them" There was the Deacen's opinion of the arts; and Mrs. Deacon only sighed, and wished ahs could see it, that was all.
 But it came to pass that the Deacon's eld- est son went to live in New York, and from that time strange changes began to appear ln the family that the Deacon didn't like; but as Jethro was smart, driving lad, and making money at great pace, he at first said nothing. But on his mothers birthday, down he came and brought box for his mother, which, being unpacked, contained Parfau statuette of Paul and Virginia--a lovely, simple little group, as ever told its story in clay.
 Everybody was soon standing round it in open-mouthed admiration, and poor Mrs. Tilden wiped her eyes more than once as she looked on it. It seemed vision of beauty in the desolate neatness of the best room.
 Very pretty, 'spose,' said the Deacon doubtfu!ly--for like most fathers of spirited twenty three elders, he began to feel little in awe of his son" but dear me, what sight of money to give for thing that after all is of no use"
 II think" said Jcthro, locking at his mothers suffused eyes, Git is one of the most useful things that has been brought in- to the house this many day"
 "1 don't see how you're going to make that out" said the Deacon, looking appre- hensively at the young Wisdom that had risen in bis household.
 "What will you wager me, father, that I will prove out of your own mouth that this statuette is as useful as your cart and oxen."
 know you've got great way of com, ing round folks, and twitching them up be- fore they fairly know where they are but I'll stan you on this question, any way"-- And the Deacon put his yellow silk bandan- na over his bald head, and took up his posi- tion in the window seat
 "WelI, now, father, what is the use of your cart and oxen?"
 "Why, could not work the farm with out them, and you'd all have nothing to eat, drink, or wear"
 "Well, and what is the use of our eating, drinking and wearing?"
 "Use? why, we could not keep alive with out it."
 "And what is the use of our keeping alive?"
 "The use of our keeping alive ?''
 " Yes to be sure, why do we try and strive and twist and turn to keep alive, and what's the use of living 2"
 Living !-why, we want to live :; we en- joy living all creatures do-dogs and cats and every kind of beast Life is sweet ]"
 The use of living, then, is that we ep joy it ?"
 Yes"
 Well, we all enjoy this statuette, 50 that there is the same value to that there is in living and if your oxen and carts and food and clothes, and all that you call ne- cessary things, have no value except to keep in life, and life has no value except enjoy ment, then this statuette is short cut to the great thing for which your farm aud ev- erything else is designed. You do not en- joy your cart for what it is, but because of it's use to get food and clothes we value for the enjoyment they give. But statuette or picture, or any beautiful thing, gives enjoyment at once. We enjoy it the mo- ment we see it-for itself and not for any use we mean to make of it. So that strikes the great end of life quicker than any thing. else, don't it ? Hey, father-haven't got ny case 2"
 : I believe the pigs are getting into the garden" said the Deacon, rushing out of he front door.
 But to his wife he said before going to ped, Isn't it amazing the way Jethro can talk 2 1 couldn't do it myself, but had it in me though if I'd had his advantages. Jethro is chip of the old block"