Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-08-25
orHAr JOHN M4soN.D
BY JOHN JONES, JR.


'eWhat kind of people have you here =
T asked of one of my acGuaintances, after
becoming denizen of the pleasant little
village Of Moorfeld.
VERY clever people, with one or two
exceptions" he replied. am sure you
will like US very much.
"Who are the EXCEPTIONS, L asked
''For I wish to keep all such exceptions
at a distance. Being a stranger l will
wisely take hint in time ltI IS an easy
matter to shun an acquaintance; put oy no
means so easy to break it off after once
VERY truly said. And I will warn you
in time of one man in particular. his
name is John Mason Keep clear of him
| if YOU wish to keep out of trouble. he
/ as smooth and oily as a milestone; and as a
milestone, abrades everything he touches.
He's bad man, that y l ohn MASON
''Who or what is hep" 1 asked
He's a lawyer, and one of the prlncl-
pal holders of property in the township.
] But money can't gild him over. He's a
/ had man. that John Mason, and my ad-
vice to you and every one Is, to keep clear
1 of him. I know him ike a book
Il am very much obliged to you, sal0
II. "for timely caution, ana VIII GaAo GaAo
care to profit by it.
! NV next acuuaintance bore pretty much
ltbe same testimony, and so did the next.
II was that John Mason was not the right
4 kin5 of a man. and rather blemlsh up
on the village of Moorfeld, notwIthstand
ing he was one of the principal property
holders in the township. /,
IF it wasn't for that John Mason,
heard on this hand, and, If 1t WASH !, fol
that John Mason" I heard on the Other
hand. as nv acduaintanceship among the
/. neonle extended. Particularly blttel
against him was the individual who hac
first whispered in my ear friendly eau
: tion: and I hardly ever met him pQC az
: had something to say about that y ohI
: Mason. !.
e. About six months after my arrival Il
4 Moorfeld, I attended a public meeting,
ID which the leading men OF the toWnshl
were Dresent Most of them were stran
gers to me. At this meeting fell In com
l0any with a very pleasant man, who ha
several times addressed those present, an
always in such clear, forcible and com
mon sense way as to carry CONVICTION l
M ali hut a few who carped and qulbbleG
Dyy at everything he said, in a very churhs
d manner. Several of these qulbDlers
happened to know. He represented on
: set Of views and they another his VleV
- had regard to the public good; theirs 1901
8 ed It Was plain. to sectional and privat
pc St sSHow T9 do Won ike our little town
ne ne said this individual to me, after the NEE
ad- iny had adjourned, and little knots OF I
re- diyiduals were gathered here and there Il
be conversation.
I "Very we'll, replied. ~,
an. 'And the people?" he asked; :.
ad- s'The people, | answered; appear
I. be a very fair specimen of what are TO
found everywhere; good and bad mixed
ssYes That. I suppose, is a good ge
. sOf q course. . I added, I'VE find in
RM communities certain individuals W
stand more prominent than the rest-d q,
tinguished either for good or evil ~
appears to be the case here.
LIS 1@Yon have already discovered tn
pay that even in Moorfeld there aresome VI
bad men" 54i
ssOh, yesl there's that John Mason
The man looked little surprised;
ed. remarked without any change of tone
ness $50 you have heard of him, have yo1
sat "Oh, yes ~ t.io
iron aHs sverv bad man?n aa
lY Of "Of course. You know him. l 8
and p%Yes, very well. Have you ever
Is. mo, nor never wish to"
. sYou've seen him, l supposeY
Never. Is he here2"
The man glanced round the room
. then replied.
II don't see him"
sFIe was here, / suppose.
-"Oh yes; and addressed the NEE
S several times. h -,
,ssTnl one Of those sneering, ill-tempC
answers to yourSremarks, no doubt. >
The man slightly inclined his head,
if acknowledging compliment.
- "IEsa pity that such men as this J
- Mason" said /, 'soften have wealth
some shrewdness of mind to give t
mower in the community.
So. S'Perhaps," said my auditor, your !
s'O's udices against this man are too stror
He's not perfect, know; but even
- devil Is painted blacker than he is. II
Il knew him, rather think you would
- mate him differently" sw
3 tsT don't wish to know him. OppC
,Ople Of mites have been offered, but | have
d faith 1ravs avoided an introduction
lAir = iIT1TIs,l giTet cgaye YOU the oharacte