Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1888 — THE VILLAGE LOAFER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE VILLAGE LOAFER.

BY ANNA CERES FRITSCH.

HEN the warm k »vinds of summer blow, he sitteth in the cool and pleasant places; even upon the sugar barrel in front of the village store. But when the weather waxeth cold and the frosts of winter be upon the land, his stalwart form embellisheth the dry goods box near tha stove; yea, he basketh in the

warmth thereof, while his wife heweth the wood and draweth the water. He discutteth politics by the hour, and poketh fun at religion, for he hath a fro ward mouth. He acoomplisheth much electioneering before town meeting day suminoneth the men of the tribe unto the ballot box, like betteth he freely: but forgetteth that he owneth not a shekel wherewith to back his wager. He squandereth his days at the poolroom and layeth his hand to the billiard cue. He exhausteth his physical energy in playing “seven up” and “whistle Jack,” and provideth not meat for his children to eat; neither putteth he raiment upon them. He considereth not the ways of the ant, neither learneth he wisdom of her; for selfishness dwelleth in his heart. He believeth that the world oweth him a living and he sitteth still and awaiteth its coming, and the world disappointeth him not, but sendeth the living along. He mortgageth his cow and his calf, that he may get shekels wherewith to buy whisky and tobacco. His wife forsaketh not her house, for she lacketh a fitting raiment. He tilleth not his garden, neither

layeth he his hand to the bucksaw. And it shall come to pass that he entereth his house as night draweth nigh, and his wife shall speak harshly unto him, for is not her spirit sore wrought upon and dwelleth not righteous anger in her heart? And he shall say unto her: “Prithee, Mary Ann, give me food, that I may eat, for verily I say unto thee this hath been a heavy day up town. Us fellers got to talkin’ politics, and I let them know what’s what; when they git ahead o’ this here coon in arguments they’ll know it, bet yer sweet life on that!” And his wife shall wax wroth, and shall set before him raw potatoes and uncooked flesh of swine to eat, saying: “Didst thou not walk abroad in the streets, when thou shouldpt have been hewing wood wherewith to prepare thy food ? And are not eminent politicians like thyself gifted With digestive power like unto that of Yhe bird of the Desert of Sahara? Eat thou, therefore, thy grub raw!” The village loafer reareth many sons and daughters, yet shall they not rise up and call him blessed, for have they not labored with their hands that he may dwell in idleness ? And it shall come to pass, that his youngest daughter, being fair to look upon, shall find favor in the eyes of a youth of the tribe and she shall be given unto him in marriage. And the village loafer shall sojourn with him amJ shall eat of his meat and drink from his cup, for hath he not given unto him his fairest daughter, and is it not meet that his son-in-law give him food and raiment in exchange for the damsel? — Chicago Ledger.