North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-11-23
Se(ttt STIR y,
THE MAN WHO STRUCK HIM
SELF.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

Jason Elder belonged to that rather la rge
class of persons who find pleasure in the suf-
frring or misfortune Of their fellow men,
This is stating the case rather broadly, and
we do not, in the least doubt that Jason,
should he ever chance to discover this intro
ducti0n Of himself 20 the public, will reject
our classification, so far as he is concerned
We make it understandingly. however. The
fault we have indicated is usually the CON-
panion Of another. The man who feels
pleasure IN the ill-fortune of his neighbor
viii hardly hesitate to nfict an injury, fit
can be done with ,mphnity.
Men Of the class to whom Jason Elder be-
longad rarely p1ssed far ntheir life journey
without misunderstanding with some Of their
fellow passengers, Ofcourss they are al
ways in the right, and their fellow passcn-
gers in the wrong. And as they are the IN
jured and the oppressed, it is the most ma :u-
raj to retalist ste-giving blow for blow.
"The mar who wrongs me l neither for
give nor forget" This was ono Of Jason 81.
der'- sayings, and very bad saying, We can.
not help declaring it to be particularly so in
Jason's case for he quietly lived up to his
principles. OF course judgment as to wrong
was always rendered by himself, and on eve
idence wholly experte. If he believed that
another meant to do him wrong-and he
could believe, sometimes, on very slight ev.
idence---an evil parpose was AZ quickly born
in his mind as if positive testimony were
before his eyes. ... 4.s -t ....-.
In fact, Jason Elder was very bad sort
OF a maryland often very troublesome to
those who hadauv dealings with him. -.
Among those who were favored with the
hearty dislike Of Elder was master mechan-
ic in small way, named Msrtin Lee, who,
by industry and economy, had accumulated
enough to3buy himself house of moderate
81 ze, as 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 avsry upright man--too up
right and pdepcndent to have much inter-
course with man like Elder, and mortally
offended him. He had SO offended him and
the offence was neither forgotten nor forgiv-
en-. In more than one instance his enemy
had sought to do him injury but the pois-
ened arrows, flung from bis bow, had flown
harmlessly by him. .s -rr.'a-.. an.
Ore day; while in conversation with one
of those idle, gossiping individuals, who give
more attention to other peoples business
than they do to their own, the latter sal d
in responding to rsome ill-naturod remark
uttered against Mt Lee. II Ileaned a fact yes
terdayrthat may be you would like to hear"
sAbeutsthat Lee 2'' eagerly inquired Ell
der1 % .t3nu ub rr1. .zIa-.... ts.5a5|
''Fes, orI' mighi better say about the
ground or which he has built that snug little
house ulsd srajJ5 sl1 .-D q. .'.J- d Sfy
Indeed ?' our gentleman was all alive
now and commenced rubbing his hands in
delighted expectation. "What about the
grounds ?'' ... .....-...... .
q ""Little defective" was the Iaconic answer.
mo !, ss1sg1 v,,sssaxy r. jgs.ks .sF354s
"Fsct. Hadit from old Larkins; and ]