Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-06-11
SCENES IN OUR VILLAGE.
The Lawsuit.
BY MISS AMELIA THRoPP.

When quite young man he had located
there. He was noble specimen Of man
hood, ambitious, energetic--he carved out
for himself a high destiny. lie had mar
ried in his youth beautiful, lovely girl
who assisted him nobly in his advance
ment in lile--he, honest and ambitious
she, gentle and loving-the cornerstone Of
his happiness. They had q large family,
whom Mr.. Benson educated with great
care, regardless Of expense, very much in
opposition 10 some Of his neighbors, for
instance, Mr. Solomon Smith, who said,
"Now friend Benson, don't edicate your
sons for il you do you'll make thieves and
rascals out Of EN-" But Mr.. Benson did
80 and they made neither. Some Of the
ignorant people Of " regarded them
with envy, and il any Of the young Ben
sons-being metal, turned little aside
from the given track, not being infallible
they would set upa perfect howl Of dis
gust, not seeing their own short comings-
only mindful Of others.
II the ladies dressed gaily they were
proud, II simply, they we're stingy. II
they read books, they we're lazy. In fact,
they were targets for the i'll disposed Of
n. TO shoot at, who eould not forgive
their superiority. But the true-hearted
Of the village we're proud Of the handsome,
talented family, and wished them God
speed IN liie's journey.
Mr.. Benson had a store, and Mr.. Peter
Stubbins had another. The latter had a
rivalry towards the former, on the occa-
sion Of which l write. A man happened
to owe both a considerable amount Of
money. He was about to be sheriffed.
Mr.. Benson-of whom the man was a ten
ant-had, he considered, the first claim on
a building on his property which had been
erected by Mr.. Mistake. But Mr. Stub
bins in connection with his junior partner
considered his claim for store and goods the
most important. Finally the building
was seized by Mr.. Benson for his rent.
This gave great offence to Mr.. Stubbins-
it being the only thing available for sale,
and he determined to have the first claim.
Mr.. Benson hearing Of this sent for the
partners to gently demonstrate with them
Mr.. Stubbins and Wisdom came. Mr..
Benson was an old man looking forward to
the sunset OF his life; a Christian, and a
gentleman, not one of the kind to wish
any disturbance with his neighbors. The
kind old gentleman said:
"We will have no trouble, but will en-
deavor to settle the matter as amicably as
possible"
NO." solemnly replied Mr.. Stubbins,
1--WE will go to law"
81 should be sorry to do so, gentlemen -
said Mr.. Benson, whose hair was whiten-
ing for the tomb, 'to have any difficulty
about it. ! wish in my closing days to do
something better than quarrel. / should
like to end them in peace"
Law" exclaimed Peter
claw" echoed Wisdom,
Every we'll, gentlemen" replied Mr..
Benson, sit rests with you"
So the partners brought suit, seizing the
building.
Mr.. Peter Stubbins was a short, stout,
puffy, red-faoed man, who looked very
much like an inflated toad, not respected
by the better class Of NJ but consider.
ed good fellow amongst those like him
self.
Mr.. Wisdom had his peculiarities. He
lived two miles from N but distance
did not separate him from his partner.
They were nearly always together, There
were some little events connected with his
life which | will give in order that you
may better understand his character. FoI
instance, on one occasion be was appoint.
ed judge of the county election, and being
good sensible Democrat was, of course
anxious 10 see his party fairly dealt bv
He watched the votes so closely, and il
fact, was so interested that he forgot tc
vote himself. Now, this fact, though OBJ
served by the crowd, was not mentioned Il
him until he was near his home, some dis
tance from the poles, when a waggish in
dividual asked him why be did not cas-
his voter
Mr.. Wisdom was terrified and rushed
back, but alas, 1t was too late, the oppor
tunity was lost. This was sad for so anx
ious was he for the success of his mart,
that poor old bed-ridden Malcolm M'Don
aid, who had not voted for years, was DER
suaded by him to go to the poles. II,
even took him in his carriage. Now 4
never occurred to our active friend to asl
him his politics. OF course he thought b,
was too wise to be on any other side but
his, and Malcom, when he got there dis
gusted him by voting the other way. Thi.
was sad, for he was forced to drive hin
home again, distance Of two miles. HI
was economical, and wanted Justice done
On one occasion he was purchasing coal,
and fearful lest he should be imposed up
on by short weight, he stood upon the
scales Watching, whilst it was being weigh
ed, and added his own weight. This fac
was not discovered until II was too late Il
remedy it. To the amusement Of the vii
| layers, for it was fact well known tha
he was not so particular about principli
when his own interest was at stake. Thesl
incidents prove that Mr.. Wisdom eithe
was not wise, or unfortunate.
Mr.. Peter Stubbins was liberal when b.
was making good bargain Of man ant
there was prospect Of having it returne,
ten-fold. His eldest son was bis pride
The son boasted much, and so did hi
father, on his valor. And the people o
N stated that during the late war hi
courage was so great that in spite OF hl
mothers tears and entreaties he started t
the city of P--to enlist for. a soldier
His grieved mother accompanied him I
the rail road station, and as they separated
ne exclaimed, "Fear not, mother; 1t won
be long. Your son is willing to die for hi
country" So Mr. Horatio started. bu
alas, for poor, weak human nature. Whe
he got TO P whether ne saw any gun
or what scared him could not be ascertain