I was put into jail as I was going to the shoemaker's to
get a shoe which was mended. When I was let out the next morning, I
proceeded to finish my errand, and, having put on my mended shoe,
joined a huckleberry party, who were impatient to put themselves under
my conduct; and in half an hour- for the horse was soon tackled- was
in the midst of a huckleberry field, on one of our highest hills,
two miles off, and then the State was nowhere to be seen.
This is the whole history of "My Prisons."
I have never declined paying the highway tax, because I am as
desirous of being a good neighbor as I am of being a bad subject;
and as for supporting schools, I am doing my part to educate my
fellow-countrymen now. It is for no particular item in the tax-bill
that I refuse to pay it. I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the
State, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually. I do not
care to trace the course of my dollar, if I could, till it buys a
man or a musket to shoot one with- the dollar is innocent- but I am
concerned to trace the effects of my allegiance. In fact, I quietly
declare war with the State, after my fashion, though I will still make
what use and get what advantage of her I can, as is usual in such
cases.
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