The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-03-22

How He Learned the Valuable
Lesson Of Contentment


Timothy Hooper. or Tim. the BLACK
smith. a. he was generally called. was
an honest. Woodworking man. and bv
means OF these qualities was enabled
% maintain his family. fr,igalIy indeed.
yet not without happiness ana com
lori lie was respected by his neigh
bors for his sturdy independence. and
esteemed for his neighborly Kindness.
Ills l'amily consisted Of wife and four
children, varying in are from seven
teen 70 two. They formed happv
and united household at least. until 4
certain event. which am now :sbout 70
describe. disturbed their tranquilli,y.
There had recently moved into The
neighborhood wealthy man named
NorcrosS, who forthwith proceeded 10
make himself home BY buying a
large lot Of valuable land and build
ing thereon house. which exceeded
IN cost and splendor any thing that had
ever been known ia the village.
One morning Tim received informa-
tion that Squire Norcross. for such was
The title which his wealth had Oh
taincd for him, was DESTROYS OF seeinr
him that il. the blacksmith
some work in his line.
Accordingly. Timothy went I'D 10
the squirc's new house.
y was furnished beyond any thing
which Timothy had ever seen. The
rich. soft carpets which sank beneath
the pressure OF his foot. the rosewood
furniture. the long mirrors which re-
Elected his entire figure. with his whole. !
but rough clothing. making him feel as |
II. somehow. he were out Of place; the |
beautiful cngrayings gems OF art
which adorned the walls-all these
made up scene Of elegance and lux
ury which aroused in the breast OF |
Tim, the Blacksmith. feelings OF which
he had never before been conscious.
These feelings were sense OF dis
content with his own situation. envy
directed toward the fortunate posscssor
OF 50 mach beauty. and a spirit OF re-
pining which led him to charge Prov
idence he called II fortune-with so
unequal a distribution Of its gifts.
II was in such a room as has been
described above that he found Squire
Norc-oss. The latter was clad IN
and slippers. and was
leaning back in aluxurious arm chair.
His foot rested upon cricket, and
appeared bandaged. This. however.
lid not specially attract Timothy's
notice. III
lie did observe. however. that the !
squire wore pccvish. discontented ]
ook; In fac. Hooked any thing but pleas
nt.wbich surprised him somewhat He :
I'D not look as II he was in the enjoy
nent OF very robust health. and his y
orm looked punny and insignificant /
'eside the stout and vigorous black p
NTH.
The squire received him politely, v
nd explained with some detail what II
was he desired done. I,
After these prclminarics were over. p
i'm was about to 20 when the squire n
topped him. D
wait n moment Mr.. Hooper, A
md he. II am sure you must BE- hun M
~. Let me order a little rcfrcsh- x
rents. Will you just pull the bell b
opc?" nj
This was done and servant made "
cr appearance. s,
'Somc cake and vino" said Squire
crcrcss, shortly. III
~ was brought and glasses were fe
,urcd out for the squire and his D,
test ~
II drink your health. said the
Iuire. politely. for he could be court r.
'us when he chose. M
THANK you, sir" said Tim. awk- Ia
ardly, as. with a little feeling Of en- I'll
'rrassmcnt, he placed the glass 70 his siI
ps and quafied its contents 60