The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-06-09
Selert Storu'... !. !.
John Gray's Misfortune.


When John Gray and his wife started
in life they had good farm all paid for
and money running at interest. But
John, unfortunately, was one OF those
habitual grumblers who seems to expei
rience the greatest satisfaction inire-
counting and augmenting the little au-
noyances to which they are subjected
His implements were forever wearing
out, and invariably broke down in the
midst of some important piece OF work,
when he could but lily spare the time
either to borrow or have them mended
His farm produce, too, was generally
disposed of just before rise in the
market, which no one. ever knew him to
hold on to for the purpose Of obtaining
a higher price without selling at last to
great disadvantage. Horses and cat
tie, also, were sure to be lame just at his
busies. time. as, a-,.J f..i..l. .l.,,a..o 49,,
Nothing ever seemed to 60 right with
him, nor was he ever wanting for a cause
of complaint; for when all other sour
ces failed the weather stack by him most
faithfully. In fact, so notorious was his
habit in this regard, thst it had passed
into proyerb among his neighbors, who,
when they wished to give expression to
their greatest satisfaction at fine grow
ing spell were accustomed to say, Why,
John Gray himself couldn't find fault
with. such weather as this" ,4
John lacked neither the industry nor
economy requisite for q successful far.
mer, but his habit Of augmenting and
brooding over the little annoyances OF
life prevented him from engaging with
that heartiness and con6dencein his oc
cupation which are 80 essential to sue
cess AS a result,he had been gradually
falling behind, till, instead Of having 8
little money coming in from q source
where neither sweat nor muscle was ex'
pended, a mortgage on the farm was
yearly draining off a portion Of his lin
/ tied and hard,earned income.
This was the most genuine OF all
Johns sources of complaints, and, un'
fortunately, it was one over which he
would rather brood and lament than pu'
forth an extra effort TO remedy it, There
was added, morcoyer,to his real cause o.
complaint, the bitter reflection that the
happy state of his affairs was due solely
to his own management. Many aihart
working man is unable to get on in The
world from the want of good manage
ment IN his household affairs. But Johr
Gray himself could find no cause fol
complaint in this regard. His wife wa.
a model of diligence and economy, ane
if ever her husband had occasion to fint
fault with her it was only because .sh'
4 bore the ills of life too contentedly. IA
"Do you know that old Jenny i
dead p" John inquired Of his wife as h'
came in to breakfast one morning
! F.Why, no! What happened her |"
"She got fast in the stall and hrok
her neck, / guess. It was q most unfor
tunate thing that it had to happen on
r night when such an awful storm wasrag
| ing. If it had rot been for that sh
would have walked up the whole family
a iudging from the way the stall is shivel
a ed. But of course I could not expet
/; anything better; the very elements cor
spired against me-" 800.
{ II am really very sorry for the poo
J old thing" replied Mrs. Gray. "Sh
r was always such faithful animal; br
e then she was about worn out, anywa.
: and you ought to be thankful. iJohI
d that it was not one Of your other ho
+ ses." as ..'-'' '.'''4 - ',i
t aAnd suppose it was ?" retorted Johl
e turning around sharply from the sinl
e where he was vigorously washing b
I hands, call my horses would be livin
q this morning"
), SHOW do you make that out?' qu'
( ried his wife. .,.. tsn+7 SRA .aoj
e "Because the halters on the other ho
b ses were weak, and would, have broke
!, with the first kick, while there was ha
ter on Jenny strong enough to hang he
r 1t is provoking to think Of" resume
John, sitting down to breakfast. "Aft'
keeping her in the stall all winter. 81
e must lie down and die now, just whe
:, the spring work is coming on"
e Mrs. Gray had no consoling wore
Il for her husband in these dovetailing mi
e fortunes, so that, John was encou
'. aged to trace out their, connection st
l. further. e.; ,B3 s,s,d f,.a,.-
Is ".rhere is that horse that was sold
IS Grigham's; he went off so dog che
s that had half mind to buy him, ju
- on speculation; if l had known he
k nicely he would come in now! But VIII
vs. good luck is on the road am always
ID the ditch"
ID If the facts were as John represent
IN no one could justly accuse him OF bei1
ie an unreasonable grumbler. The fat
nc at this time certainly seemed adverse.
of But then it was chance if John had t
IN remotest idea of buying horse
&c Grigham's; and it was very doubtful
the sawful storm" prevented him frc