The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-12


opher, My life Is spent in studies Of
human nature-that makes philos-
opher, doesn't IL 7" ~
/ assented, and he went on.
My father intended mefor alawyer,
but 1t was too narrow business-too
little scope for real genius-nok excite
ment enough. In fact, / invented my
present occupation-not to say invent
ed exactly, but 1 struck out q new.
path, a new mode Of treatment, based
on truly humane principles. Not but
what / can be severe II necessary, yet II
seldom Is necessary. New and varied
acquaintances, the intimate ramihca
tions Of society, the mysteries Of this
mundane life, the weaknesses and fol.
bles Of humankind, all pass in review
before me-philosophically interesting
i'm short, sir, interesting in every
wRyl"
This was delivered in highly rhetor.
ical tone and manner, and with such q
CLEAN Of those blue-gray eyes, that for
moment doubted my companions
sanity.
"But you have not told me what the
ccupation is, ] interposed.
at is difficult to comprehend and
embraceit by any known appellation.
To tell you in one word would be inn
possible / should have TO enter large.
ly into tho subject"
"Just what would most interest me-"
"Do you understand" continued he,
grandiloquently, "the antagonism be.
tween buyer and seller, employer and
employed, first man, middle man, and
publicP"
Something of this Ghaye paid atten-
tion to-"
"well, you are also familiar with the
credit system?"
He brought one OF his littlctwinkling
orbs to bear on me in manner so deli
cately insinuating, that I could posi-.
lively feel myself changing color. l
nodded.
"The credit system, sir-the greatest
blessing Of civilization, and the most
absurd Of all our blessings. Have you
ever considered, sir, Of the millions on
millions OF individuals oh this globe
who are benefited, I may say viyified,
by it9 Do you know to what it is con-
stantly subjecta Did It ever occur to
you that to be in such case tho medium
between persons holding opposite rela.
tions is one OF the noblest missions Of
humanity9 And yet, he added, with
an entire change OF voice, and in q tone
exceedingly pathetic, chow wearisome,
how neyer.ending the toll. y 'a
"In other words" 1 said, beginning
to be weary Of his circimlocution, "you
are"
"a collector There /" he exclaimed,
al see you are disappointed. I knew
you would be so. Ut was impossible
for me not to showit at such an i'm
potent conclusion.) But hold on. /
told you no one word would define
what / meant, and have got to go into
the subject with you"
Isignifed mywish forhim toproceed.
Yes, you may call me collector.
Understand, i treat the business on the
highest grounds Of psychology, hu.
manity, and animal magnetism. 1shall
explain. i have for my constituents
doctors and dentists, retail merchants
OF every sort, frst-class mechanics, and
so on, and SO on. Lawyers and clergy
men have little occasion formy services
but Observation-Disclosures under
takers frequently call in my assistance.
Imagine me with hundreds OF these
bills in hand, ranging from ten dollars
TO thousand dollars. / don't refuse
the very smallest. These bills are
against persons OF all grades Of respec-
liability. Often, when put in my hand,
they are accompanied by a suggestion
which the principal thinks lie ought to
make, but which he does not expect
will influence me much-nor does it.
For example, he will soy, Il want you
to collect one hundred and three dollars
from Jones. You must be sure to treat
him with courtesy and not wound his
feelings-he is gentleman. Now, II l
find Jones to be really gentleman, as
is often the case, l haze no difficulty.
Perhaps he will tell me he can't pay at
present, and will explain why. The
explain part may all be manufactured
out OF whole cloth to save his pride
but accept his statement Of inability.
and I sympathtze with all mymagnetism
with his excuse, and ask him to tx his
own time, when / shall call for the
money. He dislikes to fix too distant
day, but he postpones, say, for three
weeks. I accept the date with alacrity.
/ produce my memornndum-book. 'Iet
me see-that will bring IL 10 Thursday,
June 4th. Am very much obliged to
you, Mr.. Jones. Twill call on that day.
and I look at him courteously, but,with
a full magnetic current, by which ] am
brought into q peculiar relation with
that man, and he feels / mean busi-
ness
"Does he pay on the dayf"
"Not always. Perhaps he will give
me a part, and manufactures another
lexcnse-poor fellows why tDiH they lie
so9-or, he may really be obliged to
put me of again for the whole-recol-
lOct, l am talking Of a gentleman, and
no mistake then / bring stronger
current to bear, but always as the same
polite your humble servant, and the
next fetohes II. Why, such a man feels
as much relieved when he pays one OF
my bills as a criminal does at verdict
Of not guilty. Can't explain IL myself
-magnetistn-all magnetism r.
" You have given me, 1 should Judge,
very gentle example. You have much
harder cases9"
al should say 80 | 1 was about 10
tell you. After seeing my people once
Il call them my people, for 1 take an
aifectionate interest In them all-aiter
seeing them once, / classify right Off
know Just how to deal with each type,