Year: 1871

From the Clinton County (Mo.) Register
Lessons spelled out on Mother Ma
ture's Lap. p.Ff'


Cunning and prudence are no more
alike than the coon and the Newfo unl-
land'dog, Some persons have only
one word to express the principle Of
forethought, and that is-smart; but
that is wrong, because it implies ac-
tivity, IN connection with one or the
other
Cunning is guided by selfshness,
Prudence by charity the first uses de-
cepti0n and falsehoed, the other is
founded on truth Cunning beats
around bush and likes to do things
in complicated way. Prudence comes
quietly and slowly and in straight
forward way to the point. Cunning
takes delight in working under cover
around the corner, or in the dark !;
Prudence is certainly guarded in
speech, but deals openly under the
broad light of the sun, and is not
ashamed of its transactions by hiding
them.


Cunning does not even recognize
the simplest moral rules, if its selfish
ends are. accomplished; Prudence is
more careful of spiritual, than of
worldly interests; the fact is the first
is the sign of real foolishness, the 9TH
er of perfect wisdom = because the
cunning uan can deceive only fools,
to the wise and and prudent man he is
as transparent as glass; Cunning
may by means of power and wealth
assume superiority, and lord it for a
while over Prudence, but in the e nd
the latter will conquer and be free.


Do you want to know how to dis.
tinguish them7 1 will tell you. Vixen
you meet man that asks you lots of
questions, without being willing to
answer any himself; that wants to
know how much you earn, how much
you make on this and that job, and
never exchanges compliments in the
same style; who, when he talks to
you looks at you from under his eye
brows, or if he has none worth speak
ing OF makes the rim ofhis hat answer
the purpose; if you talk to hia, on
business, or try to make contract
with him, ten to one he will pull out
stick and jack knife and commence to
whittle. to keep him from looking in
to your eye, and il lie does look at
you, he does it quick and side ways
He likes to hunt catspaws for his own
special benefit, and if they burn
their fingers in serving him In his dir
ty tricks, he calls them fools for their
pains. He is what is called very
sharp; if you owe him he is bound to
have every cent with interest and more
if you do not look out. If he owes,
he will make a thousand exceptions
to the price. too exorbitant, the article
is not worth it, and when he thinks he
can do it without trouble with the law
he fatty refuses to pay. He is a le-
gal thief, as fal as the law protects
him in his villainy.


He will pretend to great friendship
for you, if be can make something
out of it, but like the coon, # he has
got hold on you and you want to
put him of. he will snap at your
nose or nip you in the ear, he will
read your correspondence, and other
documents, and sets all sorts OF traps
to get you N his power; bad luck to
you If you nibble at the bait. Ifyou
don't become bis slave and tool, it 10
none of his fault, and once in his
clutches you may wriggle and twist
bite and snarl as much as you please,
if prudence does not assist you, you
will never get from his power until
he has no more use for you. He is
incapable Of friendship, there 10 no