The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-11-05
SAVED BY HIS VANITY.

"Ah," said Mr.. Jones, as he sat luXu-
riously slipping his wine. Mr.. Jones
was rich, and like the little mouse in
the fable, Jared sumptuously every
day. "Ah, dear me, how foolish it is
for people to find fault with the world,
and say people are cold and ungrateful,
and all that. It's a very good world,
indeed. It's not full of iugrates either.
It's really very pleasant to find so many
friends, rs one goes along. It's only
necessary, said Mr.. Jones, holding his
glass to the light, and letting the light
drop through it in great garnet blot
upon the damask cloth. cts only
necessary to be amiable and kind to peo-
pie, and to be naturally an agreeable
person, to be loved and respected and
we'll used. As for me, who ever had
better friends not to mention the lot of
acquaintances who don't count for much.
There's my Aunt Greenbough, and her
nine daughters, as fond of me as though
L were brother and Todkinson-how
THAI man respects me; and Cousin Fish
and his wife, who really have almost too
good an idea of me. Ha ha think I'm
more than perfect. And Miss Flyblis-
ter, poor thing, perhaps she would have
liked me to like her a little more.
And Amanda-heavens how that girl
loves me If L were Apollo she could
not admire me more. If were Moses
no, Solomon, she couldn't think me
wiser. And my servants-my excellent
Nehemiah, and my worthy Dinah-how
devoted they are And all because I've
been generous and good-natured and
kind to them all. And because I'm
pleasant sort of fellow, not one of your
crusty, Grabbed creatures"
And Mr.. Jones, having finished his
wine, arose, and sauntered toward his
great Turkish chair, with vague thoughts
of nap lowering in his brain. For Mr..
Jones was not boy to whom after-din-
ner maps are unknown, but a gentleman
of six-and-thirty, growing portlier with
every year of good living and content
ment.
But as Nh. Jones approached his
chair, he became conscious that it was
not untenanted. 1t was occupied by a
tall, gaunt figure, dressed apparently in
cobwebs. At least, the texture of the
long gown and cap it wore suggested
nothing else. 1t had face much of the
same hue, with a lean, suspicious nose
and chin, and furtive eyes of pale gray.
Its long, lean hands rested together on
staff, and as Mr.. Jones approached, it
cackled or choked or something of that
sort.
"Ahl" said Mr.. Jones to himself,
zone of those artistic beggars who make
pictures of themselves, L suppose. Well,
well, / think he's worth twenty-five
cents. Here, old man-and if you want
a drink and something to eat, go to the
table and help yourself-I'm through" !"
+" He he he! ~ ratified the creature
in the chair, He he ! he!" Hon. you
make me laugh, to be sure, Aminidab
Jones' Bah always have food enough
L if no one else on earth.
"Then perhaps you'll tell me what
procures me this pleasure" said Mr..
CT thought I'd look you up" said the
figure. every few men 1 don't know.
NY name is Suspicion-ever hear it q
"Well, / don't know" said Mr..
Jones, desiring to be polite. "We've
had some odd, old-fashioned names in
our own family-Prudence, Patience,
Experience, Desire-half a dozen others.
I've an odd name myself-Aminidab,
ha ha -
Eyes, and you are an odd man" said
the figure. "To hear You talk, now
to hear you talk Friends Do you
really believe in friends at your age-in
fealty, and honor and honesty Don't
Won know by this time that all people
care for you for is what you can do for
them, that your money and your pleas
ant invitations, and your presents, and
what they expect you to leave them,
makes them all so complacent to you,
that if you were to become poor they
bah Don't you suppose you are ever
talked against or cheated or ridiculed ~
"No DON'T" said Aminidab Jones
"I don't deserve it.
GAS if that made any difference" I"
cried old Suspicion. why, let the