The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1865-03-10
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1865.
IS IT RIGHT2


Getty, the little shoemaker Of Lever
ington, sat bending over his work, singing
TO himself a pleasant tune; for Getty
had cheerful mind, and heart as full
Of music as the throat Of a bird. A
shadow fell across the room, and he look
ed up, meeting the face of a neighbor,
who stood leaning over the half door Of
his shop.
"Go0d morning, Getty said the
neigbOr.
6The same to you Mr.. Hey" returned
the shoemaker, a smile breaking over his
not very handsome face. "Wou't you
come in?'
"Just for a moment. I want to say a
word or two" And Mr.. Hey pushed
open the half door and entered the shop.
"Sit down" said Getty, nodding to-
ward a chair the back having disappear
ed.
The neighbor sat down. His face had
grown serious. He looked at Getty, and
Getty looked steadily at him. Now, the
shoemaker had a pair Of clear, steady
eyes-honest, brave eyes and no man in
Leverington had ever been able to look
! him out Of countenance. His eyes were
the index of his character. There was
nothing covert, nothing awry, nothing OF
policy about Getty. Meet him where
you would, be was open as the day up
right, outright, downright, as was often
said of him. So he looked steadily into
( his neighbor's face, waiting for his word.
81 was sorry to see you so strongly in
opposition to Mr.. Gaskill, last evening, II
said Mr. Hey.
(Which was right? Mr.. Gaskill or I?''
promptly asked the shoemaker.
"That isn't the question have come
to discuss, Getty. Tn your friend, and,
seeing danger ahead, I am here to warn
aud council. Gaskill is a strong man in
this town"
'And I'm only a cobbler"
"Just so AMI dependent on the viii
! of your customers.
'No, sir" answered Getty, lifting his
arm with a quick, emphatic motion, and
! dropping his heavy brows. "I'm depend
ent on no man S good will. While just
/ God rules in the afElirs Of this world, l
an not afraid to be right, TO speak right,
or to do right I opposed Mr.. Gaskill
last evening in our urch meeting; and
not another mau present had a word to
say against him. True, there were not
many on his side, but none was found to
stand up for principle with the poor shoe
maker, lest the favor Of this rich and IN
huential man should be lost
''You put the case very broadly" said
Mr. Hey. Il can state It differently" )"
every well, am always ready to hear.
Slow me the truth and I'll accept it.
"Our society is not rich"
"GraDted."
"Half its expense is borne by Mr.. Gas
| kill"
81 know"
owe cannot, therefore, afford to lose
his good will IF be is inclined to have
things his way, it is better to indulge
him, even if it is not the best way
There is more to be lost than gained by
opposition"
"Do you believe IN God?'
Ih3 little shoemaker's voice rounded
out into a full tone Of questioning sur
prise. The neighbor did not answer.
Us this Gods church, or mans church!
Are we working for the salvation Of souls
OF to give honor and glory to men p
The neighbor kept silence. He wa.
no match for Getty when the little MAI
reused himself
'It is Gods church. He will takt
care Of it if we will let him. But if VI
set men above truth and right, because
they happen to have money and influence
he will depart from US.
otis of no use to talk with you,n saiC
the ueighbor, rather coldly "YoU taxi
the bit in your mouth and go your owl
way headlOng."
-f'Aud God being my helper, I'll Away
get the bit into my mouth when men try
to turn me into the wrong way. is
right? That is the question for me, an
you, and every Christian man to ask, MI
Hey All the rest is with God; and S
far in life I have never seen cause to le
+. my faith fail. When I am right, fee
safe. I am tranquil and peaceful. A
the powers of hell cannot prevail agains
ne"
Mr.. Hey rose from his chair.
"Don't be in a hurry" said the shoe
maker, "Don't go yet.
eyes, I must 60. One might as we
talk to the wind as to you. 1 saw dan
ger in your path and came as a friend
= warn you; but you set my counsel 4
: naught IF any harm befalls you IN tn
thing my skirts are clear"
.s The little shoemaker laid down h
: work and stood up, leaning over his cu
ting board.
n "Mr. Gaskill is angry p he said.
ie "0f course he is. Such men do nj
bear opposition we'll"
"Anger is like fire in a mans oW
house. It may blaze over and score
his neighbor's house but it burns mo
9. where it begins. If Mr.. Gaskill tries
hurt me he will get hurt the worst"
ri am not sure that retaliation is
Christian spirit, friend Getty"
81 didn't speak Of retaliation.
stand simply on the right; and if NJ
Gaskill thrusts at me because I am righ
be will wound himself. That is all.
"Good morning." said the neighbc
Q and went out.
The shoemaker resumed his wor
turning the matter over in his thought
He was a man Of remarkable natur