The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-01-21
BrIef and Comnrchensirc.

Years ago. when the subject was
broached of digging the canal that con-
meets Portland. Me, with Lake Sebago,
there was, of course, much opposition on
tho pnrt of that considerable class found
ready on all occasions to bitterly oppose
internal improvements of every kind that
can appeal to the pockets Of taxpayers.
In one of the towns interested in that
canal a meeting of the legal voters was
called to see if the town would pledge its
credit if necessary; or would recognize
by vote the necessity of the work.
The meeting was opened, and the OPP
ponents were ont in full force; and they
had engaged n penurious old deacon,
who never paid a tax that he could avoid
paying, toargue their case. They Thought
he could do it. He could worry the
other side down, and wear them out, any
way.
The moderator read the warrant, and
stated the object of the meeting; and, III
n few very choice, clear, and pleasantly
spoken words, he stated the facts in the
case, and made known what it was
hoped, by the liberal and progressive
element, the town would do.
And then the peppery old deacon
sprang TO his feet, and opened his
magazine of general abuse and scurrility.
He talked an hour and half-a tempest
of ugly, false and insinuating stuff, which
disgusted deven some of his own supporters
He closed with a grand peroration on
the power and majesty of God, and the
wickedness of interfering with the plans
of the Almighty Architect of the
Universe.
"Mr. Moderator" 3" he said. with grand
spread of his arms, ''if there had been
intended a water communication between
Harrison and cutting through
Cumberland County like a river-the
Almighty would have put it thar Where
the Supreme Architect wants water TO
flow He'll make it flow; and He won't
see punv, insignificant man interfere with
His divine plansl Feller citizensl Mind
what tell you!'
And Deacon Skinfint sat down. And,
on the instant, mp rose Squire Sam Lit
tlefeld, with his pleasant, jolly face all
aglow, and said he:
''Mr. Moderator, we read in the Good
Book that in a certain place there was
lack of water; and AbrdhaD1 digged a
weU there, and called the place Beer
Sheba. Sir, 1 move the previous ques-
ton "
The thing took wonderfully. That
simple sentence ana ADranaIn Ci1BRSu
a we'll therer'-spoken in Littlefeld's
quiet, quaint, and yet significant way,
brought down the house. The motion
for the "previous question" was carried;
then the main question was put: Should
the credit of the town be given to the
great improvement?-an it was carried
by an overwhelming majority. And yet
it was said, by those who ought to know,
that, had some friend of the measure
followed old Skinhint in an exhaustive
speech, the chances would have been
decidedly the other way.-NctO YORK
Ledqer.
VIZ will give 800 reward for man
who, when he undertakes to make n re-
ply in an article in the newspapers, has
never said, or been known to say: "My
attention having been called" etc, etc.
Is it possible that no public man ever
read newspaper, or, if reading, does
not discover his own name the very first
in million ems of matter? If there is
such a fellow, let him be stuffed for a
monument to tho man who ever told
lie. e.-ROcheSter Democrat
"THE liberty of the press must be
preserved" said the small boy, as he
stole up to the cider-mill armed with
bundle of straws.