Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-06-25
miscellaneous.
A Philosophical Negro.

countenance, was squatting upon his
bundle on the hurricane deck of one of
the Western river steamers, toasting his
shins against the chimney, aud apparent
ly plunged in state of profound medita-
ton. His dress and appearance indica-
ted familiarity with camp life. and being
soon after the seige and capture of Fort
Donaldson, | inclined to disturb his
rrveries, and on Interrogation found that
he had been with the Union forces at
that place, when ! questioned further.
His philosophy was so peculiar, that |
will give his own words, as near as
memory will serve me:
Were you in the fight y
Il had little taste of it, sa"
STOOD your ground, did you p
"No, sa, I runs"
run at the first FIRE, did you?'
eyes, sa, an would have run soona,
had | knowd it was comm"
why, that wasn't very creditablc to
your courage"
dat isntmy line, sa; cookin's my
professhun."
Well but have you no regard for
ysur population 2"
Populations muffin to me by de side
of lie
''Do you consider your life more than
other people p
ats worth more to me, sa."
Then you must value it very highly 2"
eyes, sa, | does; more dan all dis
world more dan million dollars, sa, for
what would that be with to man wild de
bret out of him =? Self-prcserbrasEun is
de first law with me-" "But why
should you act upon a different rule from
other menu"
N'Causc, sa, dlf'rcnt men sets different
value upon derselvcs, my life is not in
de market"
''But if you lost it you would have
the satisfaction of knowing that you died
for your country"
''What satisfaction would dat be to me,
when dc power of feelin' was gone p
Then patriotism aud honor are moth
ing to your"
Muffin whatever, sa.'
''If our soldiers were like you, trail
tors might have broken up the govern
ment without resistance
Eyes, sa, der would have been no
help for it. ! wouldn't put my life in
dc scales 'gainst no guberment dat ever
existed. for no guberment could replace
de loss to me. Spect dough dat de CUB
erment safe, da all like me"
do you think any of your company
would have missed you, if you had been
Killed 2"
maybe not, sa. A dead white man
amt much wild desc soiers, let alone
dead nigga: but I'd missed myself,
aud dat was dc pint wild me-
IMpoL1TE Times. Loud and bois
ferrous laughing.
Reading where there is talking.
Reading aloud in company without
being asked.
Talking when others are reading.
Splitting about the house.
Cutting finger nails in company
Leaving church before worshpis clos
ed.
Whispering or laughing in the house
of God
Gazing rudely at strangers.
Leaving stranger without a chair.
A want of respect and reverence fol-
seniors
Correcting older persons than your
self, especially parents.
Receiving present without an ex
preston of gratitude.
Making yourself the hero of your owl
story.
Laughing at the mistakes Of others.
Joking others in company.
Commencing talking before other
have finished speaking,
Answering questions that have beel
put to others.
Commencing to cat as soon as you &c
TO the table
Not listening to what one is saying i
company.
Some years ago a Frenchman who
like many of bis countrymeu, had won
high rank among men of science, yet VIII
denied the God who is the author of a
science, was crossing the great Sahar
in company with an Arab guide II
noticed with a sneer, that at certai
times his guide, whatever obstacl,
might arise, put them all aside, an
kneeling on the burning sands, called c
his God. Day after day passed, al
still the Arab never failed, till at last OF
evening the philosopher, when he ro
from his kness, and asked him, with
contemptuous smile: ''How do "
know there is God p The guide fix
his eyes on the scoffer for moment
wonder, and then said, solemnly: ''Hc
do ! know that a man, not a cam,
passed my hut last night in the dar
aess2 Was it not by the print of !
foot In the sand 2 Even 50 y and