Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-07
Charity's Mantle.

| have friend who is a stock-buyer, and
now and then, as he offers me seat in his
carriage, | ride out with him, or "call "
on him at his yards and have bit of chat,
so in one way and another get through him
many practical hints that do not come in
books. The other day was making pro-
fessional call at the "yards," where my
friend was shipping several carloads of
hogs-and what sleek, fat, black, shiny pork
ers do come up from these vast and fertile
corn producing prairies. I was standing on
the top of car, my favorite post of obser
vation, and pretty soon my friend climbed
up beside me. "I've Just had queer bit
of experience with crooked human nature"
said he and my ears opened at once; the
preachers ears are always itching" but
not in a bad sense. Now, thought |, for the
germ of sermon, or an illustration of some
text, or some glimpse into the secret work
ing of human heart. eyes" continued
the dealer, "Pve been surprised and grieved,
to-day, as never before. | had bought a fine
lot of hogs from young man whom | knew
well, and who had always heretofore been
perfectly trustworthy. hadn't suspicion
of him. | gave him the checks for the lot
and sent them down to the yards. Not long
after he came back and said that he had
three more hogs to dispose Of, so | went up
and looked at them, weighed them, paid for
them, and he started for home. Very soon,
however, some of the boys at the yards dis
covered that mistake had been made some
where, and | went down to see about it.
The three last bought had been put with
the others of the same lot but the original
number remained the same. Well, began
to look into the matter, and found, to make
a short story, that the young man had been
playing sharp as we say. The proof was
so clear that at once sent messenger for
him, stating that some error had been made,
and that | wished it corrected Immediately
so as to ship by the evening train. He came
in to see me, said there was no mistake, told
me where he bought the three hogs, and
what he paid for them and was getting off
a very smooth, plausible story. | stepped
up to him, put my hand kindly on his
shoulder and said: My boy, it's no use for
you to finish your story. We know all
about it. You took those hogs out of the
yards after | had paid you for them and
drove them up and sold them to me sec
ond time, and got the checks for them.
Now you are young and the best thing for
you will be to confess the whole thing, pay
back the money, and let this first attempt at
sharp practice be the last. don't want to
push you, and will not if you stop right
here The poor fellows eyes filled with
tears he owned up to the whole trick, prom
ised to pay back the ill-gotten money, and
went home a sadder, and hope wiser man.
But here comes the train | must get my
cars hooked in. Good afternoon" As
clambered down aud went my way, gracious
words of Scripture kept coming into my
mind; CHARITY sutfereth long and is kind /;
The end of the commandment is charity I;
Charity shall cover the multitude of sins !;
Add TO brotherly kindness, charity" How
much better, thought, than to have broken
out iiercely on the young man, clapped him
into Jail, covered him with shame and filled
his heart with bitterness. Who the tres
passer was or where he lived, | never knew
But am sure he carries softer and truer
heart in his breast for that experience
The Advance.