Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-12-30
The Man Who Struck Himself
BY T. 8. ARTHUR.

I
fellow men. This is stating the case
rather broadly, and we do not in the least
doubt that Jason, should be ever chance
to discover this introduction Of himself to
the public, will reject our classification, so
far as he is concerned. We make it un-
derstandingly, however. The fault we
have indicated is usually the companion
Of another. The man who feels pleasure
in the i'll fortune Of bis neighbor, will
hardly hesitate to infict an injury, if it
can be done with irnpunity.
Men of the class to which Jason Elder
belonged rarely pass far on the life jour
ney without misunderstanding with some
of their fellow passengers 10 the wrong,
And as they are the injured and oppress-
ed, it is the most natural to retaliate-
giving blow for blow.
The man who wrongs me / neither
forget nor forgive This was one OF
Jason Elders sayings, and very bad
saying we cannot help declaring it to be,
particularly in Jason's case for he quiet
/ ly lived up to his principle. Of course
judgment as TO wrong was always rend-
cred by himself, and on evidence wholly
er parte. If he believed that another
meant to do him wroug-and he could
believe sometimes on very slight evidence
An evil purpose was as quickly borne
III his mind as if positive testimony were
before his eyes.
| In fact, Jason Elder was very bad
sort of a man, and often very troublesome
to those who had any dealings with him.
Among those who were favored with
the hearty dislike of Elder was master
mechanic in a small way, named Martin
Lee, who, by industry and economy, had
accumulated enough TO buy himself a
house of moderate size, as a home for his
family. Elder also owned house in the
same neighborhood. These houses were
built on piece of ground that originally
belonged to the same estate.
Mr.. Lee was very upright man--too
upright and independent to have much
Intercourse with man like Elder, and
mortally offended him, and the offence
was neither forgotten nor forgiven. In
more than one instance his enemy had
sought to do him injury; but the poison
ed arrows flung from his bow, had flown
harmlessIy by him.
One day while in conversation with
one o! those idle, goSsippiDg individuals,
who give more attention to other peoples
business than they do their own, the lat
ter said, in responding TO some ill-natured
remark uttered against Mr.. Lee:
Il learned fact yesterday that may be
you'd like TO hear.
'AbOnt that Lee 2 eagerly enquired
Elder.
Yes or / might better say about the
ground on which be has built that snug
little house
Indeed What about the grounds Z?
Our gentleman was all alive now, and
commenced rubbing bis hands in delight
ed expectation.
Title defective, was the laconic an
sweF.
No =
Fact Had it from old Larkins, and
rather think he ought to know some'
thing about it,
well, that is news Got bad title,
eh / wonder who's on the hip, now,
Mr.. Martin Lee? Wait and see. IfI
don't deal him staggering blow, my
udult uot OdSOu StuCI-tuhl all A
always said I'd abide my time. Ha ha!
A flaw ia this title. But that's just bis
way of doing business. I'd like to see
anyone pick a flaw in mine
True to the evil purpose declared,
Elder took the first opportunity to search
out the party to whom the property own
ed by Lee would revert, in case a defect
really did exist in bis title.
This individual, whose name was Earl,
at first seemed incredulUus but when
Larkin was first mentioned as authority,
seemed to feel quite an interest in the
matter.
Il am really indebted 10 you,' he said
with bland smile should it prove true
that there is defect l shall have quite
windfall and it could not have reach
ed me in better times. l will have the
matter investigated at once
That blow will tell hard, surely.
have planted it below the ffth rib,' said
Elder 10 himself, in tone of cruel ex-
ultation, as be left the presence of Mr..
Earl.
Through much self denial and hard la
. Ia Il. A. 1 4