Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-01-27
Letter from Philipsburg.

PHuTsBURG, PA. JAN. 25th. 1861
DEAR JoURNAL:-We are drifting down
the stream Of time slowly, but surely 10 the
end we must arrive, sooner or later. Then
comes the tug OF war-then comes the hour
when we look back over the channel and see
what wonder it vas that we had not
stove long ere we reached this port But
we are ''snubbed now, and all nicely tied
up, 80 we can take things easy. How hap
by fellow feels, when he has gone through
some great trouble and has had a fellow 10
stick to him, to come out safe and fad his
friend at his elbow, not imploring him for a
few of his greenbacks, but finding him
there ever ready TO assist hun Friendship,
It's easy spoken, and often as easily perform-
ed, and yet claimed as friendship, True
friends are few, too few alas for the mis-
sion Of humanity In this cold friendless and
uncbarltable world. So long as we sail a
long under spanking breeze and under ey-
cry inch of canvass, all Is well aud we have
troops OF friends. But the first gale, yea
squali, and the lumber Is reduced yet some
stand to the storm, though hoping that it
viii not last long. until the maSts are gone
and then they lash themselves to the life
boat and Dobly ami graudly strike out for
the shore. 1t sometimes happens that one
out of the whole troop stands fast and firm
anu OClSII4it4Gl 10 SAllit your tdlG " Gil
may we claim him as a true friend, and one
that would confide in, notwithstanding the
saying OF the Prophet. Trust ye not ia a
friend, put ye not confidence IN a guide ;
keep the doors of thy mouth from her that
lIeth in thy bosom. Yet as a general thing
it would be well TO listen 10 the words of the
Prophet, most especially the last admoni-
ton, one at least that | shall strictly adhere
to when Hymen descends from his throne to
give me pass to the state of matrimony
Oh horrid future OF all the unthankful
acts humanity Is rewarded with, there is
none so cutting. keen and sharp, as those to
whom we have done kindness. assisted and
helped them struggle up the hill, and when
we have got them to the top they turn about
and hit us kick that seeds us reeling to the
valley from whence We started them
Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
That dost not bite so nigh.
As benefits forgot;
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting Is not so sharp,
AS friends remembered not.
1t seems that material for Assistant Post
masters is getting TO low ebb in some parts
of Uncle Samuel loyal domain. The Post
Office at Powelton, Centre county, Penn is
most especially hard up for an assistant,
SO much so indeed that they have been o.
bliged to exhume The High Royal Arch
Grand Rabbi of Copperheads from the soi-
| tary banks of Loeb Lomond to fill the va
cancy Necessity makes strange bed-fel-
lows, but this caps the climax of necessi-
ty being the mother of invention. 1t
seems to be almost an impossibility that this
Grand ''snaik'' would take up a mail-boy
birth under the administration of Father A
braham | shall certainly report him to the
Grahamton nest, as that appears to be the
Executive nest of this jungle If they do
not expel him for transcending the Consti-
tuition, then [ shall conclude that their
whole combination is about immigrating to