The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-04-04
g What do you think of our philosophy,

SAID John. You were quite right to
give the man shilling. I'd have given
him shilling myself"
"Oh, you would, would you 2" said
Mr.. Collett. "You're very generous
with your shillings. Would .Tou fly in
the face of all orthodox political ecOno-
my, you vandal?"
' Yes" said John; as the vandals
flew in the face of Rome and destroyed
what had become tslsehoOd and nui-
sance"
"Poor John I" said Mr.. Collett, "we
shall never make anything of him, Pc
ter. Really, we'd better talk of some~
thing else. John, tell US all about the
last new novel"
They convezsed on various topics uns
til the arrival of the invalid's early beds
time parted uncle and nephews for the
night.
Mary Sutton seized an opportunity the
next morning before breakfast to speak
to john Meade alone.
"John," said she, " do taink more of
your own interest-Of our interest.
What occasion for yeu to be SO violent
last night and to contradict Mr.. Oollett
50 shockingly? l saw Peter Finch
laughing to himself, John; you must be
more careful or we shall never be mar
ried."
"Well, Mary, dear, I'll do my best"
said John. alt was that ceunfounded
Peter, with his chain Of iron msxims,
that male me fly out. Pm not an ice-
berg, Mary"
FThank heaven, you're not !" said
Mary " but an iceberg hoats-think of
that, John. Remember, every time you
offend Mr.. Collett, you please Mr..
Finch"
$50 I do," said John. Yes, Pn
surely remember that.
IT you would only try to be a little
mean and hard-hearted," said Mary
"just little to begin with. You would
only stOop 20 conquer, John, and you
deserve to conquer"
May I gain my deserts, then" said
John. =" Are you not to be my loving
wife, Mary? Are you not to sit at needle-
work in my studio while paint my great
historical picture? How can this come
to pass if Sir. Collett will do nothing for
us?"
"Ah, hew, indeed Y" said Mary. "But
here's our friend, Peter Finch, coming
through the gate from his walk leave
you together" And, SO saying, she with
drew.
What, Mea1e," said Peter Finch, as
he entered, "skulking indoors on a fine
morning like this? q? I've been all through
the village--not an ugly place-but
wants looking after ssdly-roads shame
fully muddy; pigs allowed to walk on
the foot-path "
Dreadful u exclaimed John.
say, you came out pretty strOLg
a..
defed the old man like your spirit"
g have no doubt you do," thought
John.
ooh, when 1 was a youth I was
little that way myself" said Peter, "but
the world, the world, my dear sir, soon
cures us of all romantic notions. l re-
gret, of course, to see poor people mis-
erable; but what's the use of regretting
It's no part of the business of the
superior classes to interfere with the
laws of supply and demand poor people
must be miserable. What can't be cured
must be endured"
That is to say" returned John,
what we can't cure they must endure"
Exactly So" said Peter.
Mr.. COllett this day was too i'll to
leave his bed. About noon he requested
to see his nephews in his bedroom. They
found him pTopped up by pillows, look
ing very weak, but in good spirits as
usual.
"WeH, boys" said he, "here am,
you see brought to anchor at last The
doctor will be here soon, / suppose, to
shake his head and write recipes. Hum
bug, my boys! Patients can do as
muchsfor themselves, believe, as doctors
can do for them they're all in the dark
together-the only difference is that the
patients grope in English and the doctors
grope in Latin"
" You are too skeptical, sir," said John
Meade.
Pooh P' said Mr.. Collett, "Let US
change the subject. want your advice,
Peter and John, on matters that concern
your interests. / am going to make
my will to-day, and don't know how TO
act about your cousin, Emma Briggs.
Emma disgraced US by marrying an Oil
man."
An gilman !" exclaimed John.
Z" A vulgar, shocking oilmanp 70 said
Mr.. Collett; /" q wretch who not only
sold oil, but soap, candles, turpentine,
black lead and birch brooms. 1t was
dreadful blow to the family. Her poor
grandmother never got over it, and
maiden aunt turned Methodist in
despair. Well, Briggs, the Gilman died
last week, it seems, and his widow has
written to me, asking Ior assistance.
Now, l have thought of leaving her
hundred year in my will. What do
you think of it a.? Pm afraid she don't
deserve it. What right had she to marry
against the advice of her friends? What
have to do with her mis'Ortunes?"
r l. aaa4
Peter Finch "no notice ought to be
taken of her. She made an obstinate
and unworthy match let her abide the
consequence"
"Now would like your opinion,
john" said Mr. COilett.
"Upon my word, think must say
the same" said John Meade, bracing him
self up boldly for the part Of the worldly
man. "What right had she to marry
as you observed with great justice, sir
Let her abide the cohseq quences-as you
very properly remarked, Finch. Can't
she carry on the oilman's business?
dare say it will support her very well. y
"Why, no." said Mr.. Collett; briggs
died a bankrupt, and his widow and
children are very destitute.''
THAT does not alter the question: D
said Peter Finch. "Let Briggs family
do something for her themselves"
''To be sure" said Mr.. Collett, briggs
family are the people to do something fol
her. She mustn't expect anything from
us, must she, John.?"
Destitute, is she7' said John "Witt
children, too? Why, this is another
case, sir. You surely ought to notice
her-to assist her. ConfeuDd it, Pm IL
for letting her have the hundred year
"Oh, John, John! what a breas
downl' said Mr.. ColIett. "Se yor
were trying to follow Peter FincL
through stony Arabia, and turned bach
az tie second stepI Here's a brave
traveller for you, Peterl John, keel
vour Arabia Felix, and leave sternel
ways to very different men. Good by