Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-02-24
ARNSPRONG'S Lesson.


In the early days OF California
the olden days of gold, or the gold
en- days OF old, as you please-in a
certain miners camp on Yuba river
there lived a queer genius named
Armstrong. He was an honest
miner, not differing materially from
his fellows, excepting that he had a
curious habit Of talking to himself
From the simple reason that he de-
parted from the common custom in
this one particular he was of course
voted crazy by all the other miners
To call all persons "crazy" who
do not follow the customs of the
majority is, constant habit with
men. But day after day Armstrong
worked away with his pick and
shovel, caring nothing for the re
marks of his neighbOrs, and seem
ing to wish for no partner in bis
tolls or rest, save the invisible per
sonsge whom he always addressed
in the, second person singular, and
with whom he was almost always
in close and earnest conversation.
The DRIFT OF bis talk while at work
would be as follows
"Rather tough, work, mstronG
rich dirt, thOugh-grub 81 a
pOund-no time 10 waste-pitch in,
sir-hanged if don't wish L was in
the states. This INNINGS mighty
hard work. Nonsense, Armstrong
what a fool you are to be talking
this way, with three ounces a day
right under your feet and nothing
to do but just to dig it out"
His conversation would be duly
punetuated with strokes of the picb
and lifts Of the loaded shovel. And
so the days would pass along, and
Armstrong worked and slept and
talked with his invisible partner
Well, it happened in due course OF
time that the class of human VAN
pire' comm monty called gamblers
made their appearance at the camp
where Armstrong had been work
ing. AS he was not above follow
ing the example of his fellows, be
paid the newcomer a visit. 1t is
the same old story. After watch
ing the game awhile he concluded
it was the simplest thing in
the world. SO he tried his luck
Hand won-s1OO! Now, any new ex
| periencs, would set Armstrong tC
thinking aud talking to himself
worse than ever. 1t was so thi'
time. feNow, Armstrong" he said
as he h'esitated about going to worl
the mex morning, "that is the cas-
lest sLO0 you ever made in YOU
life. What's the use of yOnr goinl
into a hole In the grOuiid TO dig fol
three ounces a day The fact is
Armstrong, you are sharp. Yor
are not made for this kind of work
Suppose, you just throw away you
pick and shovel, leave the mines
Nuy suit Of store clothes, dres
up like a born gentleman, and g
:, sOme business that suits you
talent" e.~n
Armstrong was not long in put
ting these thoughts aud saying in
to action. He left the digging
aud invested i'm fine clothes. Ill
looked like another man, but h
was ,tilI the same Armstrong nev
erth sless. He was not long IN hnd
ing an opportunity to try a nev
pre- ,fession. Walking forth in hi
fresh outfit, he had just concludes
a long talk with himself about hi
bright prospects when he halted il
front of a large tent with sigI
over it, miners Rest" ArnstronI
went in. 1t did not seem to hin
that he remained very long, but
was long enough to work a wonder
fol revolution in his feelings. Whel
he came out he was a changed ma
that is to say, he was "chang'
lessp man. He was thunderstrucs
He bad lost bis money, lost his net
prosp eet, lost his self fcOnceit--los
every thing bat his new clothes an
low b sbit Of talking to himself.
is as iless TO say that he was mad
Arm strong was very mad. Bu
there was no one to be mad at bu
Arm strong himself so self uumbe
two was in for a rough lecture.
"H,ow, Armstrong, you are a nic
spec imea--yOu fool--yOu bilk-yo
deaf beat.-you IMP Well, ! nee
not repeat all the hard things b
said. Like King Richard, b
"fou nd within himself no pity fc