Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1868-11-21

brouyh, from the oficc think
Yes. James brought il home On Satur-
day evening; but neighbor y. and his
wife being here, he laid it on the raricr Ia
bic.
N has got the paper; ! remember now
Of lending it to him
Il am very sorry for that. think YOU
do very wrong, husband. in lending papers
before You have read them. lie who takes
a paper and pays for it, is certainly enti-
tied to the first perusal of it,
IL know it, wife, but n. don't take a
paper, and cant refuse when he asks to
borrow ours"
Don't n take paper" inquired Mrs.
c. in surprise.
"No."
"Why not? he is, as he says, fond of
reading"
Eyes. but he seems to think himself un-
able to take one"
unable! he certainly is az able as we
are. He pays much larger tax, and is
always Dragging Of his superior cattle
and"-
"Hush, wife! 1t is very wrong to speak
of our neighbor's faults behind their backs.
He promised to return the paper to-day"
81 hope he will. 1t contains an excel
lent article, which l much desire to read"
Mrs. c. was an excellent lady, and prob
ably possessed as liberal feelings as her
peace loving husband; but she could not
believe it to be their duty to furnish Il free
paper to their more wealthy and covctous
ncighbors.
N. had formerly taken paper, but
thinking it too expensive, to the no small
discomfort of his wife and little ones, he
had ordered its discontinuancc. lie, how
ever, dearly loved to read, and had, for
year or more, been in the habit Of sending
little Joe" on the disagrceable errani Of
borrowing old papers from his neighbors.
Mrs. G. waited patiently throughout
the day, expecting to see little Joe coming
with the paper, but the day passed, as
likewise did the evening, and no paper
come.
The next morning aftor breakfast, she
was heard to say
"Well, John, the paper has not been re-
turned yet"
"Ah, indeed; guess neighbor N. has
either forgotten his promise, or is absent
from home," replied G.
II think" she continued, "wc had bet
ter send james after it."
"Wouldit not be best, wife, to wait till
afternoon? N. may return it before that
time"
"As you think bcst," was tho reply.
They waited tillnearly dark, butno paper
made its appearance. James, smart lad
of ten years was now entrusted to proceed
to neighbor Ms to get the paper. He
soon arrived, and made known his errand.
He was politely informed that it was loaned
to r., the blacksmith, who lived three
miles further on. James, unwilling to re-
turn without it, notwithstanding the late.
ness Of the hour, continued on to the black
smiths.
1t was quite dark when he arrived, but
he soon made his business known, and was
informed by Mrs. r. that little sis. got
hold Of the paper and tore it up"
"I'll take the fragments" said James,
who Was for having nothing lost.
"Thc fragments, Jim" exclaimed Mrs.
r., "old Donk, the peddler, came along
here to-day, and sold them along with
the rags"
james, somewhat unspirited by his un-
successful mission, and not being very
courageous in the dark, silensly beat hassy
retreat fsr homo. where in due -e.son he ar
rived and reported the result Of his err.nd-
All" very esmro-cdly remarked Mr.
C., Il suppose r. asked seighbor n to
lesd him the raPer, and he did nc; ike Ia
desy hin We csnss. ! think. accuse
eisher Of dong isseasissally vrvag; and
ose paper" c,nfinsci he, = ef hffle val-
~"