Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-09-19
Small Change.

We believe that all thoughtful per-
sons will agree with us that no small
change is needed in this community;
and when we say that, we wish it dis
tinctly understood that we mean that
a great deal of small change is needed.
We wish to be clearly put on the rec-
ord as desiring such change in our
midst as will increase our stock Of
change; and while ringing the changes
on the subject, we will further say
that it is our candid opinion that the
smaller the change introduced into
the community the greater the change
will be. This will become apparent
on reflection, being merely the intro
duction of the nimble sixpence in
place of the slow shilling, as advised
by no less parsonage than old Ben.
Franklin. Ben's head was level when
he gave the preference to the agile
specimen of small change, and his
wise saying has not lost either its wis
dom or its applicability during the
many years since it was uttered. It
might seem at the first glance that 3
nimble sixpence. or a nimble penny,
like nimble flea, would be hard to
catch, and would therefore be more
difficult to get hold of than the slow
shilling, or bed bug, or whatever else
YOU choose to call it. But such is by
no means the fact, as is proven in the
case of the flea, as aforesaid. Every
body comedies the nimbleness Of the
"wicked flea,n even when no man
pursueth; but nobody will deny that
they are not more frequently caught
than some slower insects. To be sure
there's good deal of scratching done
before one meets his fate; but that on
ly serves to stir up ones spirit and en-
liven the chase. 1t likewise applies
to the agile sixpence, that some
scratching around is necessary before
you can get hold of one; but that is
rather an advantage than otherwise,
because during the pursuit of one-be
it flea or q sixpence-you come
across half dozen more, perhaps, that
you knew not of, and take them in,
patr passu, as the Star puts it. Real
1y, we didn't know until we begun,
what a remarkable similarity there
was between the sixpence and the flea.
If we only had as many of the one as
we have of the other, what a prosper
Gus community this would be. That
is merely en- 2odssant, however, as the
Express would Say, if it knew any
French, which it don't. And We must
not neglect to continue the COMPARE
son alluded to, for it enables us to in
troduce celebrated specimen of the
tribe, which has been so often alluded
to as to have become classic, or at least
hstorical-the Irishman's flea. You
may yourself have encountered him,
or at least his prototype. You feel
him creeping slyly up your left shin,
perhaps; you elevate yonr foot slowly
upon q chair; you draw up your trow-
ser leg gently; you catch sight of him;
you put your finger on him-get him
in your possiou, so to speak; and yet
and yet, when you go to mash him,
10! he aint there; he's missing; in
short, he's mizzled-gone to make
some other fellow itch to get hold of
him. And so it is with the sixpence.
You put your finger on it, and for
few fleeting moments claim it as your
own; but the very first thing you
know, it's off, and fooling around some
other fellows breeches pocket. Now
it Is just this circulating popularity
of the small coin that gives it such a
value to community; and If we may |
be allowed to introduce sensible |
word among so much nonsense, it is |
of such great value as to be really es-
sential to great and continued-prosper-
ity. Now, honestly, wouldn't it be
lively times if sixpences were as plen-
ty on our streets assay fleas. And
wouldn't there be some tall scratch
ing around among the boys to get hold
Of some of 'em? And wouldn't few
get away again after they were caught
and fall into other fellows hands.
And wouldn't we give two of them
for bit cigar more cheerfully than we
now give fifteen cents? OF course we
and therefore we say let's have
he sixpences; or, better still, since it
s legitimate piece of q. s. currency
the pennies-and then we'll pay on