The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1863-10-21

Poor Devils.

We can scarcely conceive a more miser-
able being, or one who has so powerful
temptation to hang or drown himself as a
gentleman OF leisure, in a community OF
workinmen. The very fortune that has
placed him above the necessity TO labor has
imposed on him greater curse than if he
had been doomed to the ealleys. He works
harder 10 get rid OF himself, than he would
TO forge anchor. Companions he has
none, for the industrious hold no fellowship
with The idel. He roams from pillar to
post ; from paror 10 countng-house from
acquaintance TO acquaintance from one
hotel to reading room 10 another finding
no rest for the soles of their feet, nor The
vertebre of his back. His soul is 1isQuiei-
ed within him. He would lain be merry,
but mirth without companionship is ques-
tionabIe joysnce, and his gayety is repress-
ed and subdned by lack OF sympathisers,
until the poor ennW is driven TO melancholy
Madness Such man has our honest com
miseralfon, for we pity his impecibiily an d
dependence. The honest bui needy labor
er, whose daily task must be daily compile
ted, bekre he can look forward 10 cessation
from toll, is happier in his sinewy strength
and cheerful industry, than it ever entered
into the Independent idler to suppose or
conceive.
There is another class OF men who de-
serve neither our commisefation, sympathy,
or consideration who are miserable by
choice, and OF no valne in society. We al
lude to those who have led life of pennr.
Gus celibacy. until The property smassed
by niggardly savings and self-morlifyiBg
depr;va,ions hovers over Them, by day and
by night, in visions OF dislrust, disquietuje
and fear. These are they who never listen
TO the petition of the widow, nor the cry Of
the orphan; whose Charities end where
they began-at home-f he may be- said
10 have home who has no feelings in com.
munity with the world snc lis families. We
have one such in our minds eye at this mo.
meni. He is man who INDUCES neither
in the vicious nor the innocent pleasures OF
the age. His life is as regular and monoto-
nous as an eight-day clock. He is 2unctu-
a. III Ndhtu- uAh ltcitE pbhNAuot AZ y th5
down and sleeping punctual at breakfast ;
punctual a, his desk, and the performance e
of his regular duties punctua at church
except when there is to be a collection, and
then he is suddenly indisposed punctual
in his appearance at another's dinner table,
and most diiarory in making return. The
cold clothes men" down town have fre-
quently proposed to barrier coats eiih him,
but they have never been able 10 trade, as
they always demanded something 10 boot ,
The ladies' members of charitable socie>
ty, once sent him their subscription book,
in hopes that, as a rich old bachelor, he
might contribute TO their funds. He envel-
oped the book ia brown paper, begged al a
grocery, and returned il through the post
office, poor as when il came to him. II he
wants a shilling 10 purchase some urgent,
necessary article, he has no change in his
pockeir and draws a check. If he pays his
board day or Two before the end of the
month, he demands a discount for ready
money. He employs man servant 10 cot
his hair, and forgeis him at Christmas
Dancing is eschewed By him, because it
occasions unnecessary waste OF sole-leath-
er; and common parties are equally iguor
ed, because, as he says, they are only ex-
cuses for squandering money in hack-hire
Such is brief sketch OF man who, in
common parlance, has neither 'chick nor
childD-has lived more than two score
,oa.- - .rov,b Eb, ,hOpsond apd nuuaris
and is, in our estimation, nothing more nor
less than a POOR DEVIL.