The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-12-25

1
all misfortune; all you have to do mex
year, after planting, is to set doTn ant
lust look at your grounds, and you ear
coax the harvest up month in advance.
But Old pilly preferred to cultivate il
the regular way, and was abundantly re
warded; though, as cold weather came OF
he was visited by another calamity. Hi
fine old mansion caught fire, and was en-
tirely destroyed, with all its contents.
It is not asserted that Old Tilly wen
into convulsions Of laughter at this af
fiction, as he walked around among ths
black ashes of what be had valued dear
lly; but is said that after calmly lighting
his pipe at one Of the embers, his frs
remark was:
81 never did like the style Of :ha
house"
oDo you think the ire has improved i
any?"
"Not much; but it has left room fol
improvements"
"Going to build a new one in its place.
"The carpenters are ,and that will make
an excellent job for them. Mechanics
must live, else what's the good of having
a fre?"
"Wbat good, indeed? Are you insur-
ed?"
"No, and that saves the insurance Off
ces." $3.50
"That must be great consolation to
+you?"
"No; it is some, but not much. The
principal qualification | have, after due
consideration of this event, springs from
the following sources: If this fire was set
it is one more crime added to. some
rogue's calendar, and may hasten him to
his ropes end, and hotter fire than he
has any calculation Of; it will, probably
satisfy his enmity, and prevent any fur
ther spite at me; it might have been much
worse; he might have burned my barns
too; no lives have been lost-a fact Of
considerable Importance to all who did mol
lose their lives at the fre--but they don''
appreciate it; this bonfire teaches me to
guard against fire in the future; and how
much greater the blow would be, if the
old house had been the new house which
/ am going to build; it is lesson to all
to have their property insured, and so in
time save many man from ruin;wlth my
new house 1 shall get new furniture, aud
be more cheerfully surrounded; to repair
my loss I shall be less indolent, for ]
-Eaavo-bsen thinking, for a long time, thai
/ was getting lazy; with more exercise
shall be more healthy. I shall set an
example of industry, and employ the in
dustrious, and, as | intend to introduce
all the modern improyements,I I shall help
encourage the authors Of new inventions;
even these ashes will be useful as ma
nure, and you may have the lot if you
will cart it away. How true it is, as the
Bible happily remarks, 'Old things shall
pass away, and all things shall become
new
While experimenting the building O
his new house, heavy timber fell and
mangled both of his legs, SO that he wal
told there was danger of losing them.
Amid groans and CHASTITY smiles, sale
Old lilly:
GA lesson In surgery, sthen-oh, a lit
tie brandy; with no legs, shan't vast
time, snd get cold, by morning walks a
[ have done-ah! make 1T little sitter
ohl-more chance Of refection-dear me
greater vitality in my remaining bodi
Ily parts-ah!-add little sugar-oh!-
shall ride mere, and save shoes-ahl-
squeeze in little lemon-bless my soul
help crutch and leg makers-oh!-
little of lemon, and not whole littl
lemon, / meant-ah!-no expense fo
balls and dancing after this-my pa
tience, can stand it?-hurry up tn
punch-shall cultivate humility in my
self-stir it--and compassion in others
now the hot water-oh!-shall NOV
slowly, and the world is too much i
haste-ahl-grate on little nutmeg
and the lesson of dependence upon 9th
ers-ah!-I liked the way you mixed tha
punch-should be taught to all-oh!-
revives me directly--nona are independ
ent--see if the other surgeon has com
light me cigar-oh!--feel much bel
ter"
His case was much improved after
surgical inspection. No bones were bro
ken or fractured, and his philosophy wa
rewarded by recovery in due time. 5
"Yoa take adversities very lightly,
said misanthropic acquaintance. Gar
you aware, sir, that to laugh at misfol
tunes is sin against God9"
at depends on whom they happen t.
I suppose. We have right to laugh 3
our own troubles"
"No, sir, we have not. The evils whic1
come upon us are punlshments for ou
sins, and not intended to be laughed a
but as warnings for us to do better
Now, if you keep on taking things S
easy, you will surely provoke still create
punishments, till you are brought to
proper sense of your siufulcondition.
Iadvise YOU to bear all Affections with
respectful uneasiness and conslderat
gloom. Now, when you treat the ez
pected loss of your legs so lightly,
shouldn't have been surprised if you ha
lost them in..reality."
"Nor | either" said Old Tilly, twir
ling gaily about, "for | supposed shoul
lose them; and if / had grumbled, I sho'
have been sure to. !"
"Sir, this levity is unbecoming in
man who has had both legs mashed, an
saved by miracle"
! "Well, then pray for me: and as
don't feel very unhappy about it, | wi
lnt nm do The mourning "