The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-11-20
an Suterestiuq Story.
NOT so FAST!
BY J. ID. sY ME,


"There is nothing detest in q man, Al
thur. ss q want Of punctuality," said oil
Uncle Ben, 10 his sisters son, AS be CAV
several rapid whiffs from his pipe and look
ed sourly over his shoulder at the youn
man. who was seemingly reading attentive
ly.
81 have often heard you say so, dear un
cle." replied the nephew. with a smile; "bu
i am glad that this feeling Of de,es, atior
towards men's failings does not extend tc
all men; you are not misan,hropic for all
"Come, come, jacksnapes, you want to
cajole the old man, do you!" replied uncle
Ben. with something more than an affection
Of anger. "You want to have me all smiles
to this James Jones, when be pcases to
wait on his humble servant, because he's a
friend Of thine. forsooth?"
81 am sorry that he has disappointed you
uncle. said Arthur. seriously, mot so much
for your sake as his. Your recomme nds-
tion can be Of advantage to him; this dis.
appointment cannot affect you. You have
cause to be angry, do confess; and perhaps
the idea that he is to be favored, and is in
dependent circumstances, may have infused
little more Of the scrinony Of offended
pride into your temper just now than would
bet good round sum there is some suffi-
cient cause for his detention"
"None Of your college education here,
siEP' said old uncle Ben. rather testify as
he drew severei mathematical diagrams on
the floor with his feet. caused his chair to
perform several military evolutions. and
emitted platoon Of tobacco puffs before
he settled down into rest again. IL detest
betting; il is vulgar practice. and in dis
oussion il is the only argument Of tho great
est Of fools. You speak plainly too. young
man." continued the burly old merchant.
in tone Of some feeling; "when did ever
dispiss poverty or treat it with disrespect?'
'.Nevsr. my own uncle" said Arthur.
apologetically. "Yet l am certain you
Judge hastily Of poor Jones"
"Punctuality is . part Of veraoity. sir;
veracity 10 the very soul Of business; and
this James Jones. though he we're as deep
in the mathematics as Sir Isaac Newton,
and as greats foreseer of events as Moore's
Amauso. will never make clerk worthy
of his bread and butter"
"Ah. his is a sad story, uncle"
But uncle Ben laid his hand on Arthur's
mouth and interrupted him ere be had pro-
ceeded with the sentence. 81 know what
you would say. air. because you have already
said it-y oung man of talent-high princi-
plc-widowed mother and orphan brothers
and sisters--his father an old acquaintance
Of my own--he IN old school fellow Of yours
met him by accident-heard his tale
recommended him to your old uncle Ben.
who recommended him to Jackson Brothers
a. a clerk, upon whom, forsooth. he has new
er called. All. ah. Arthur. you shan't find
me 80 good natured sgain!"
hannanaH m.
some fortuitous circumstance over which he
had no more control than over The elements.
said Arthur. warmly.
Circumstances, rooAl what merchant
did ever plead fodui,ous circumstances
for the non-fulllmsnt of engagements, or
admitted theul. either. on cash days. l
have received q lesson never 10 try &c
push along loadstone."
"And ia il thus our charities are chilled?'
said Arthur; perhaps causes which demand
n surcharge of our benevolence are thos'
which for want Of knowledge extinguish IL
We should be cautious, even in the mos
ylaring apparent circumstances. when they
are only circumstances and not established
facts"
IL never disappointed any man in m!
life," said old Ben, with look of pride, "sn'
have right to demend that the worl,
shall do by me as have done by it. 1t
but fair. nobody will deny il; that I oac
you shall be fully squared per contra. 1t i
= safe maxim in trade, and is as safely ap
plicable to the common transactions of life
81 deny that you have a right to demsn
YOUR pound Of flesh from the world. uncle.
said Arthur. mildly. "for the ducass it owe
YOU. Becuse you have been punctusl. pr,
else, and prosperous. that is not sufficier
reason why all men should be so. The
aren not so, dear uncle. and have mover bee
SO, therefore you have only reason for gi
ING thanks to Providence. and exercisir
common charity towards your less fortuns
tellow.men. But poor Jones' be conti
cd. recurring TO the cause Of this discussio
"I wish knew what has prevented hi
from w.iting on the Jsckson's."
The room in which the uncle and nePl
sw sat Vas comfortable and even elegant
furnished. The wall was papered with
warm and elegant Psrisian design Of 10,
ers done in the brightest Of colors. tipps
with gold leaf aud snliveoed with twil
bearing birds of Paradise. A rich mores
hanging. laid gracefully over two la,s
brass knobbed supporters, fell with 81
sweep 90 the hoor. The carpets and sof
were beautiful: the ere bright aud inspirin
and the wind was rustling with wild, 90