The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-09

! must have been gratitied by an incident
that am about to relate you. stop
ped my horse lately where number Of
people were collected, at an auction Of
merchants goods. The hour of the sale
not being come, they were cOnvcrsing on
the badness Of the times; and one Of the
company called to plain, cfcan MD man,
with white locks, "Pray Father Abra-
ham, what think you Of the timcs9 Will
not these heavy taxes quite ruin the coun-
tryY What would you advise US to do :"
Father Abraham stood up and replied:
"If you would have my advice, ] will
give it you in short; for a word to the
wise is enough as poor Richard says"
They Joined in desiring him to speak his
mind, and gathering around him, he pro-
cecdcd as follows:
Friends said he, the taxes are in
deed very heavy, aud, if those laid on by
the government were the only ones we
had TO pay, We might more easily dis
charge them; but we have many others
and much more grirvous to some of us.
We are taxed twice as much 10y our idle
ness, three times as much by our pride,
aud four times as much by our folly; and
from these taxes the commissioner cannot
case or deliver us by abatement. How
ever, let us hcarkcn to good advice, and
something may be done for us; God helps
them that helps themselves, as poor Rich
ard says.
81. 1t would be thought hard gov
crnmcnt that would tax the people one
tenth part Of their time. to he employed
in its service but idlcnc>s taxes us much
more; slotl, by bringing on diseases, alb
solutcly sholtcns life. Sloth, like rust,
consumes faster than labor wears whilst
the used key is always bright, as Poor
Richard says. But dost thou love life,
then do not squandcr time, for that is the
stuff life is made Of as Poor Richard says.
How much more than is necessary do we
spend in sleep, forgetting that the sleep
ing fox catches no poultry and that there
will be sleeping enough in the grave, as
Poor Richard says.
IL time be OF all things the most pre-
ciOuS, wasting time must be, aS Poor Rich
ard says, the greatest prodigality since,
as he elsewhere tells us, lost time is never
found again; and what we call time
enough, always proves little enough. Lct
US then up and be doing, and doing to
the purpose; SO by diligence shall We do
more with less perpleXity. Sloth makes
all things difficult, but industry all easy
and he that rScth late must trot all day,
and shall scarce Ovcrtakc his business ut
night while Lazness travels 50 slowly,
that Poverty soon Ovcrtakcs him. Drive
thy business, let not that drive thee; and
carly TO bed and carly to rise, makes n
man healthy, wealthy, and wise, as Poor
Richard says.
$50 what signifies wishing and hoping
for better times? We may make these
times better, if we bestir ourselves. In
dustry need not wish, and he that lives
on hope will die fasting. There nre no
gains without pains; then help, hands,
for have no lands; or, If l have, they
are smartly taxed. lie that hath trade
has an estate; and he that has call
ing, hath an office of profit and honor, as
Poor Richard says; but then the trade
must be worked ut, aud the calling follow
cd, or neither tho estate or the office will
enable us to pay our taxes. If We are in
dustIious we shall never starvc; for, at
the working mans house hunger looks in
but does not enter. Nor will the bailiil
or the constable enter, for industry pays
debts, while despair increaSeth them
What though you have found no treasure,
nor has some rich relation left you u
legacy, diligence is the mother Of good
luck, and God gives all things to industry.
Then plough deep while suggards sleep,
and YOU shall have corn to sell aud to
keep. Work while it is called to-day, for
you know not how much you may be
hndcred to morrow. One to-day is worth
two to .morrows, us Poor Richard says I;
and further, never leave that till to. NOR
row which you can do to-day. If you
were servant, would younot be ashamed
that a good master should catch you
idle? Arc you then your own master ?
} BE ashamed to catch yourself idle, when
: there is so much to be done for yourself,
your family, your country, and your king.
: Handle your tools without mittens; re.
member that the cat in gloves catches no
) mice, as Poor Richard says. 1t is true
there is much to hc done, and perhaps
you are wcak-handed, but stick to it
steadily and you will sec great effects ;
for constant dropping wears away stones,
and by diligence and patience the mouse
ate in two the cable; and little strokes
fell great oaks.
Mcthinks hear some Of you say, must
4 man afford himself no lcisure?' III
, tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard
: says: Employ thy time well, if thee means
to get leisure; and since thee art not sure
y of a minute, throw not away an hour
Leisure is time for doing something use
ful; this leisure n diligcnt man will ob
!. tain, but the lazy man never; for lii,
\ of leisure and u life of laziness are two
things. Many, without labor, would liv,
want of stock; whereas industry gives
4 comfort, and plenty and respect. Fly
v pleasures and they will follow you. Tn,
dligcnt spinner has large shift; an,
now that have sheep and COW, every
body bids me good morrow.
I'll. But with our industry VIC mus
likewise be steady, settled, and careful
J. aud oversee our own affairs, with our owl
! eyes, and not trust to others; for, a
n Poor Richard says,
~ Inever saw an oft-removcd tree,
Nor yet an Oit-removed family,
!. That thrOve so well us those that settled be,
d And again, three removes are as bad as
n fire; and again, keep thy shop and tn.
t shop will keep thee, and again, if yo
e you would have your business done, go
8 if not, send. And again,
], lie that by the plough would thrive
Himself must either hold or drive.
And again the eye of the master will d
more work than both Of his hands; an
again, want of care does US more damag
than want Of knowledge; and again, nC
!. to oversee wOrkmen is to leave them you
It purse open. Trusting too much to other
le care is the ruin Of many for, in the a
>. fairs of this world men are saved, not b
" faith, but by the want Of it; but man
s own care is profitable; for, if you woul
d have faithful servant, and one that yO
ir like, servo yourself. A little neglect ma
breed great mischief; for want Of nn
d, the shoe was lost; for want Of shoe Il
horsc yvnS losk. mud for vyant 0c n hor,