The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-03-09
IS Il RIGHT!
By T. s. ARTHUR

CKrrY. the little shoemaker of Lever
ington. sat bending over his work, sing
| ing to himself a pleasant tune for Getty
had cheerful mind, and heart as full
| of music as the throat OF bird. A
shadow fell across the room, and he
looked up, meeting the face of neigh
Dor, who stood leaning over the half
door Of his shop. -ga
Good morning, Getty, said the neigh
bor
"The same to you, Mr.. Hey," returned
the shoemaker, a smile breaking over
his not very handsome face. Wont
you come in r
word or two And Mr.. Hey pushed
open the half door and entered the shop.
sit down. said Getty, nodding to-
ward chair-the back having disap-
peared.
/ The neighbor sat down. His face had
grown serious He looked at 6 city, 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, he was open as
the day-upright, outright, downright,
| as was often said of him. So he looked
steadily into his neighbors face, waiting
| for his word
g. Il was sorry to see you SO strongly in
opposition to Mr.. Gaskill, last evening"
said Mr.. Hey.
(which was right :? Mr.. Gaskill or 1 2
promptly asked the shoemaker.
That isn't the question l have come
to discuss, Getty. I'm your friend, and,
seeing danger ahead, l am here to warn
and counsel Gaskill is a strong man
in this town
And I'm only cobbler! ~
Just SO; and dependent on the good
will of your customers
mo, sir. answered Getty, lifting his
arm with quick, emphatic motion, and
dropping his heavy brows. I'm depend
ent on no mans good will. While
just God rules in the affairs of this world,
am not afraid to be right, to speak right,
or to do right. / opposed Mr.. Gaskill
last evening in our church meeting; and
not another man present had 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
shoemaker, lest the favor Of this rich
and influential man should be lost
You put the case very broadly. said
Fsrsvery welI, am always ready 70 hear.
Shov.ne the truth and I'll accept it.
Our society j. not rich - srx - ,ss;s
Half its expense is borne by Mr.. Gas
I II know, 20
we cannot, therefore, afford to lose
his good will. If he 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 i'e5,s
DO you believe in God?'. .-.s..
The little shoemaker's voice rounded
out into full tone of surprise. The
neighbor did not answer.
is this God s church, or mans church?
Are we working for the salvation of
souls, or to give honor and glory to
men?'
The neighbor kept silence He was
no match for Getty when the little man
reused himself
1t is God church He will take care
for it if we will let him. But if we set
men above truth and right. because they
happen to have money and influence he
will depart from us.
It's of no use to talk with you,' said
the neighbor, rather coldly. 'You take
the bit in your mouth and go your own
way headlong.'
And God being my helper, I'll always
get the bit into my mouth when men try
to turn me into the wrong way. Is it
-. - h,a e.,
you, and every Christian man to ask, Mr..
Hey All the rest is with God; and so
far in life have never seen cause to let
my faith fail When l am right, l feel
safe. am tranquil and peaceful. All
the powers of hell cannot prevail against
me-.
Mr. Hey rose from his chair
Don't be in hurry, said the. shoe
maker Don't go yet
Yes 1 must go One might as well
talk TO the wind as to you. / saw dan
ger in your path and came rs a friend to
warn you; bat you set my counsel at
naught. If harm befall you in this thing
my skirts are clear
The little shoemaker laid down his
work and stood up, leaning over his cut
ting board
Mr. Gaskill is angry?' he said.
OF course he is. Such men do not
bear opposition we'll
Anger is like fire in n mans house.
1t mar blaze over and scorch his neigh
boris hoJise; but it burns most where 1t
begins. II Mr.. Gaskill tries to hurt me
he will get hurt the worst.
Il am not sure that retaliation is a
Christian spirit, friend Getty
4 didn't speak of retaliation. Istand
simply on the right; and if Mr.. Gaskill
| thrusts at me because l am right, he viii
wound himself That is ALL
Good morning said the neighbor, and
went out.
The shoemaker resumed his work
turning the matter over in his thoughts.
He was n man of remarkable natural
shrcwdness, very independent, quick to
/ penetrate character, and not given 20
policy or man pleasing He made enc
mics. as such persons always do. for
Y ~ha, vasE -, s.f