The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1905-07-08


case, but will answer them neverthe-
less. My case was diagnosed as dia-
betes. but no physician prescribed for
me. treated myself from the beginning
TO the end. and am now relieved OF what
was supposed to be diabetes.
Mr. Query; DO you claim for yourself
any special exemption from the adver-
Using Of your property by Mr.. Noe Goode ?
Mr.. Easy; None whatever, only what
the most insignificant tax payer could
in reason ask. II was an uncalled for
act-unjusttiable; l do not believe MIR.
Noe GOOde would have treated one Of his
negro tenants that way without notify.
ing him of his intention to do it. Had
been informed that he wanted to close
his books the money would have been
sent Immediately. There was no neces-
sity for it, no valid excuse can possibly
be given for what was done.
Mr.. Query still intent upon getting at
the bottom of this disssgreeable affair
wanted. to know what prompted this act
Of Mr.. Noe GOOde. All! responded MIR.
Easy. you have taken me to the realms
Of conjecture where | am lost for an an
swer, would not dare insinuate even,
the cause. The recesses of the mind are
too sacred place for surmises to enter.
It is only Omniscience that has right
to enter there, know that l helped TO
put Mr.. Noe GO0de i'm Office his first term
and took no part for or against him in
his struggle for reelection. The adver-
tjsement of my property for taxes is the
evidence OF gratitude for my help and
good will.
How much sharper than serpents
tooth is iDgratitude". Mr.. Queryl Did
you think that you could escape the pay
ment Of your taxes by delayp He has
come again with his impertinent in
quietiyeDess remarked Mr.. Easy who re-
piled to this last inquiry as follows. l do
not feel in listing humOr. moreover,
your question betOkens a very low esti-
mate Of my understanding. l know
time is stamping me with badges Of old
age. for he il making burrows IN my
cheeks, and has put a new coat of whit
ing upon my head and face. but did
not know mental decay was depicted on
nv visage, hope you will confine your
self. Mr.. Query to rational questions.
MIR. Query! What kind OF man is this
MIR. Noe GOOde who has put you In the
unenviable position as not wanting to
pay your taxes-nOt only that, but pub
fishing you as man who has to be for
ced to do what every one is supposed to
do willingly-bear his share Of the bur-
den Of taxation; more than that-this
notoriety which he has given you does
not extend alone to the boundaries of St.
Martin parish. but goes abroad where ii
can do you immense harm. Is that "a
tional question and are those rational
views to take Of the matter? Mr.. Easyl
The question is partially rational. but
the views are wholly 30 We are told
that actions speak louder than words,
you ought therefore to be able TO formu-
late an opinion of your own regarding
MIR. Noe GOOde. We sometimes err in
our estimate Of people, for there is no
infallible test BY which to gaugHe mans
merits and dement's.
Some good men are credited with yir.
tues they do not possess and some bad
ones are charged with faults and vices
they do not have. We can all admit that
General Washington was great and
good man, yet we can think he was over
rated. Some think Napoleon was a de-
mon, but Frenchmen regard him as a
benefactOr to France. Some one said of
him. thine only gift hath been the
grave to those who wOrshipped thee"
We can all say Of Mr.. Noe Goode without
SANDER that he is not great man. but
doubtless some think he is good man..
whether he has a penny for those in
need and tear for those who weep do
not know, but, do know that he has a
smile for those who rote.
hope that Lis gift tn those WHIP
followed him has been different from,
he one 20 me unkindnesg Man has
been described as-"Distinguished link
N beings endless chain, midway from
nothing to Deity, l think some never
each midway from nolhing," but r..
main pretty close to the starting point.
Vow MIR. Query have answered Won last