The Arkansas advocate., 1834-11-28


 1t was my carpenter, my ship builder, my toy manufacturer, my tactotum 1t was ouI upon all occasions, never amiss, and al- ways handy;' and as valued it, never let 1t part from my neck, around which I slung it, attached by cord braided for me by my sister I own my selfishness. l ] would divide my apples -s.nen- ;i;y pIziy y- mates, my whole store of marbles was at their service, they might knock my bats, kick my football as they chose but had no community of enjoyments in my jack knife. Its possession was connected in my mind with something so exclusive, that could not permit another to take 1t for moment from me. have never, but once, felt such a sensation since. That once was when boyhood had given place to youthful manhood and had dared to pour forth the feelings of my heart, and open the fountains of my affection, to one who has since proved worthy of my devotion. Oh there is a wild and delicious luxury in one's boyish anticipations and youthful day dreams.
 If however the use of my iack-knife af- forded me pleasure, the abstract idea of its possession was no less source of enjoy ment. l was for the time being, little prince among my fellows; perfect mon- arch. Letno one exclaim against aristocra- cy; were we all pecuniarily equal to-day, there would be an aristocracy tomorrow; talent, judgement, skill. tact, industry, per- severance, will place some on the top, while the contrary attributes will place others at the bottom of Fortune ever revolving rest less wheel!
 The mechanic is an arstocrat if he ex- cells in his vocation; the ploughman Is an aristocrat if he turns better and straigh- ter furrow than his neighbor; the poorest poet Is an aristocrat if he writes more feel ingly, in a purer language, and with more euphohic jingle than his contemporaries; the fisherman is an aristocrat if he yields his harpoon with more skill, and hurls ii with deadler energy than his messmates, or has even learned to fix his bait more al- luringly on his barbed hook. And the ped agogue is the veriest aristocrat in creation; surrounded by his subjects, and dispensing his favors amid the multitude of bare footed urchins, he feels an inward satisfac- lion, which he will strive in vain to equal among community of men.
 All have. and have had their foibles all have some possession, with secret pleas ure held apa.s,' upon which they pride them- selves :: and l was proud of my jack knife ! Spirit of Socrates, forgive me; was there no pride in dying like q philosopher Spirit of Domosthenes, forgive me Was there no pride in your addresses to the bound less and roaring oceanl Spirit of David was there no pride in the deadly hurling of the smooth pebble, which sank deep into the forehead of your enemy? And ye countless anchorites and devotees, who have prided yourselves on your humility and tortured your bodies before men, were your austere afflictions of self and daily penances, tinctured with no earthly feeling? no pride of heartl no aristocracyl
 ButI must take siis niy jack-knifs and cut short this Aggression. Let no man say this or that occurrence, twill make no diff ficulty fifty years' hence, a common but dan- gerous phrase. 1 am now man of three score; l can point my finger here to my ships, there to my warehouses; my name
 is well known in two hemispheres I have drunk deeply of ofintellectual pleasures, have served my country in many important sta- tions, have had my gains and made my los4 ses have seen many who started with fair CT prospects, but with no compass or sheet anchor, wrecked before me; but l have been impelled in my operations, no matter how extensive, by the same spirit which conceived and executed the purchase of the jack-knife. And. refecting reader, youthful or aged, I have found my account in it--and perhaps in after years there will be those who will say that the predictions of my father were fulfilled, and that from small beginnings. by honesty, self-denial well-directed industry and perseverance,' Martin Thistle became truly great man.
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