St. Landry democrat., 1886-07-17
Balancing Accounts.

| done a great deal OF good 1t might nave
done, and with malice aforethought
did much evil. 1t has been stated by
good authority that bargains had to be
made to get good bills through the
| Legislature, that were purely for the
benefit of the people; and that some
Of this character were defeated because
the individuals presenting them would
not enter into bargains to support bills
| for the benefit of individuals and local
tiles. 1t is thought the Governor will
Call an extra session next winter. May
Heaven forefend! The little good
that may be done will not be drop in
the bucket compared with the amount
of money required to pay expenses,
and Pandora's box might not be able to
hold the evils generated i'll a session OF
the Legislature. This State had bet
ter be without Legislature for twenty
five years, or forever, than to have
such as she has been afflicted with.
The Legislature passed Sunday
law, and therefore imputes unto itself
righteousness. But may it not be that
the promoters of this law had to bar
gain not to legislate against the Lot
terry, the Railroads, the Penitentiary
Ring, etc?
The Legislature in balancing a big
lot of evils both of commission and
omission, by one good act, remind lis
OF Jockeys gang, who figure so promi-
nently in Sir Walter SCOTS charming
novel of Ivanhoe. After the storming
of the castle of Torquilstone, the plum
der was divided between them, after
setting aside one-tenth for the Church.
Their manner of doing business is
shown by the following conversation
between Wanda and the Knight:
"1ou hold our friends for robbers,
then = said the Knight of the Fetter-
lock.
"1ou hear me not say so, fair sir"
said Wanda it may relieve a poor
mans steed to take off his mail when
he hath a long journey to make; and,
certes, it may do good to the riders
soul to ease him Of that which is the
root of all evil therefore will | give no
bard names to those who do such ser
vices. Only | would wish my mail at
home, and my curse in my chamber,
when | meet with these good fellows,
because it may save them some
trouble
" TIE are bound to pray for them, my
friend. Notwithstanding the fair charac-
far tfton doSt a ford them =
/" Pray for them with all my heart"
said Wanda )" but in the town, not in
the greenwood, like the Abbot OF Saint
with an old hollow oak tree for his
STALL"
"Say as thou list, Wamba.'' replied
the Knight. these yeomtn did thy
master Cedric yeomanIy service at
Torquilstone.'
"Ay, truly answered Wanda
"but that was in the fashion of their
trade with Heaven"
"Their trade, Wanda. how mean
you by that ?" replied his companion.
Marry, thus said the Jester.
They make up balanced account
with Heaven, as our old cellarer used
to call his cipheriDg, as fair as Isaac
the jew keeps with his debtors, and,
like him, give out a very little, and
take large credit for doing so; reckon
ing, doubtless, on their own behalf, the
seven-fold usury which the blessed
text hath promised to charitable loans"
"Give me an example Of your mean
ing, Wamba,-l know nothing OF eli |
pliers or rates of usage" answered the
Knight.
"Why," said Wanda, can your
valour be so dull, you will please to
learn, that those honest fellows balance
a good deed with one not quite so laul- |
able as crown given to a begging
friar with an hundred byzants taken |
from fat abbot, or wench kissed in |
the greenwood with the relief of a |
poor widow
. Which of these was the good deed,
which was the felony? - interrupted
the Knight.
:" A good gibe! good gibe!" said
the apprehension Yon
said nothing so well. Sir Knight, | /
will be sworn, when yon held drunken /
vespers with the bluff Hermit.-But to
90 on. The merry-men Of the forest
yet Off the building of a cottage with
he burning OF a castle,-tfe thateh-
ng of choir against the robbing OF a
setting free poor prison
II against the murder of proud
sheriff; or, to come nearer to our
Joint, the deliverance of a Saxon
rankin against the burning alive of
norman baron. Gentle thieves they
ne, in short, and courteous robbers
,llt it is ever the luckiest to meet
With them when they are at the worst"
How so, Wanda 2" said the Knight.
Why, then they have some COM
and are for making up mat
ers with Heaven. But when they