Prayer of the extortioner.
--We have some times wondered whether the extortioner ever prayed.
We should like to hear his prayer, or rather read the secrets of his heart, while ostensibly engaged in the holy exercises.
His words, interpolated with his thoughts, would be something like what follows:
‘
Our Father who art in Heaven — I wonder what will be the price of wheat this season.
My crop is fine, very fine.
I think I might get at least four dollars for it. I should like to get ten--Hallowed be Thy name — if the season continues I shall make a tremendous crop of corn, and as my cribs are now sufficient to last me two years it will be a clear profit — Thy kingdom come — Chickens are a great institution.
Before the war I used to sell them for ten cents, now I get two dollars. I can scarcely find it in my heart to pray for peace — Thy will be done on earth — I believe I won't sell my corn to the soldiers' relief society.
They don't give enough — as it is done in Heaven.
That old steer brought me two hundred dollars, Give us this day our daily bread — my poor neighbor, who has a poor husband in the army, and six little children at home, must find it hard to get along.
The
Lord bless her and hers.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us — my old friend
Smith was rather hard, on me when he said I gouged the poor, but I forgive him — and lead us not into temptation — I am afraid our pastor's prosperity will prove a share to him. Why, brother Jones sent a cow and calf — but deliver us from evil.
I wish our pastor would quit preaching on extortion.
If he don't, I will stop subscription, sure.
He is really an evil.
He won't let a body be at peace — for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.
I believe I will send some
milch cows to
Atlanta.
I hear they are bringing tremendous prices.
The merchants there do charge awfully for their goods.
Lord have mercy on us and save us from such extortioners — Amen !
’
