The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-07-22
Hard Times.


Of late, particularly in Middle Geor-
gia, and was several days i'll Attain
ia, and at the late State Fair, which
was a big thing sure-cspecially so
far as running horses and tom-fool''
riding was concerned. But what
has interested me most wherever l
have been-in the cars, in the ho-
tells and everyWhere-is that there
seems to have been but one great
leading thought: Hard Times !
HARD TINES! was the burden Of
conversation everywhere. Now l
conclude that where there is so
much smoke, there must be some
tire-that times are hard, and that
we are really passing through the
flint mill. | have understood there
cannot be al effect without cause
so there must be a cause for the
present hard times. We propose to
look into this matter a little. The
first reason why times are hard, is
fully explained in a conversation |
heard many years ago, which | will
relate. It was about the time that
Andrew Jackson, familiarly known
then as "Old Hickory removed the
deposits from the United States
Bank. The conversation occurred
in a sitting room OF lobby of an old
fashioned hotel in q little country
town. during Court week. County
Courts in those days were great
things, and everybody went to Court.
Well, Aard, HARD times was talked
about as much then as now; and a
great many blamed the President
and Congress-, or the Legislature,
just as they do now. One of the
parties to q discussion which heard,
was one old man, a good farmer, and
took a sensible view of things. The
other man lived Oh farm, and was
q rather extreme man-he was pour
ing out the walls of his wrath on
''Old Hickory and the representa-
tive in Congress front his district,
and on Congress and the Legisla-
ture of his State, using hard names,
and accusing them OF stealing the
public money, and said change
must be made before times would be
better. The fellow really seemed
hurt, and [ am sure hard times was
a feeling subject with him; this par
ty led the conversation, until his
boiler and the cap of his head were
out of danger, then the old farmer
began-said he:
"How is your cotton crop this
year?" The answer was: II did
not plant any cotton. It has been
so low for the last few years, that it
won't pay a man to pick it OUT
Said the old farmer: "You must
have great deal of wheat to sell,
as you did not plant cotton?'
"No,7 said he, " "What I sowed
was good, but | only sowed a few
acres. Wheat has been so 1mcer-
tain of late, that I was afraid to
risk much.'
"Then you must have a great
deal of corn"
"No, [ didn't plant a large crop,
and am afraid [ will have to buy
little to put me through" "
"Well," said the old man, "have
you any fat hogs to sell this season ="
"No, I shall have to buy
"Then,n said the old man, "have
you any beef cattle?"
"No," replied the other, ''the dis
temper has been so bad I have been
afraid to try to keep beef CATTLE"
" "Well,' said the old farmer, ''you
have nothing to sell, and it doesn't
matter whether the deposits are re-
moved from the United States Bank
or not, Or who is President, or who
goes to Congress, it will always be
hard times with you until you raise
your own supplies, and have some
thing to SELL"
Now I conclude that a great many
of our people have nothing to sell,
and that is one reason why times
are so hard. Thus endeth the first
lesson. Good night Cor. South
ern Cultivator.