Wanted an Axe Ground

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 June 1915, Page 3

Wanted an Axe Ground

This phrase frequently lias been attri- [ buted to Benjamin Franklin, but it was j first used by Charles Miner—born in i) 80, died in 1805—and occurs in an essay entitled "Who'll turn the Grindstone " originally contributed to the " Wilkessbarre Gleaner/'' a country newspaper published in the interior of Pennsylvania in 1811. The author says that when he was a little boy he was accosted one cold winter morning by a man with an axe On his shoulder. "My pretty boy" said he, "has your father a grindstone?" "Yes ,sir," said I. "lou are a line little fellow," said he. Will you let me grind my axe upon it Pleased by the compliment of "fine little fellow," the gentleman's bidding was done by the boy, water being procured for him and the grindstone kept in motion until the boy's hands were blistered, the smiling gentleman keeping up his flattery meanwhile. Before the grinding was done the school bell rang, and after the axe had the proper edga on it the man ungraciously exclaimed: "Now, you little rascal, you-ve played the truant; scud to school, or you'll Jrue itl" The author says that he felt very muo.i wounded and never forgot the incident, and ever afterwards when he saw one person flattering another lie said oo himself "That man has an axe bo grind."