Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-01-13
From the Irish Republican Shield
WORKMAN KNOWN BY HIS TOOLS
AN ORIGINAL AND TRUE STORY.

AN ORIGINAL AND TRUE STORY.
Mr.. PEPPER: One Of the most besettng evils
Of our country, which cannot be too often
or too severely reprehended, arises from
the ridiculous false pride of too many pa
rents, who wish to see their sons figure among
the learned professions or will at least have
them merchants, $50 Called instead Of bring
ing them up to the useful occupations, in which
they have themselves, perhaps, acquired con-
siderable independence, and as there are about
as many doctors as patients lawyers as clients
and parsons as hearers, not a few of these as
piring youths clubbing themselves merchants
are engaged in the effemnate employment OF
measuring out tape and ribbons, with hands
| much better calculated to guide plough, or
WELD broad axe or sledge hammer; and often
regarding an honest mechanic, (whose head
and hands are perhaps devoted to the construc-
ton Of steam engines, or other important works
by which the human race is intellectually bene-
fltted,) as if they would not suffer him to
pass between the wind and their nobity."
A young gentleman of this description lately
" run foul Of snag," in the person Of young
tar, an officer in our glorious little navy, and
son of worthy native of your own Emerald
ISLE" who holds very respectable situation in
the General Government at Washington City
Our tar had orders to join his ship for years.
cruize, and arriving at one Of the hotels in the
city of New York, had his baggage (Which was
principally contained in large, strong, sea-
mans chest deposited in chamber, in which
were two beds. When the hour came for "turn-
ing in," he repaired to his "berth," but could
not gain admittance: he very properly applied
to the barkeeper, who called upon the person
within to open the door; which was at length
done by the young gentleman who occupied one
OF the beds, and who expressed much diSplea-
sure at being disturbed, particularly by 81 per,
son carrying tool chest along with him.
The tar "smoked the BEAU" and hundred the
mistake: he said 1t was very true that he was un-
der the necessity Of carrying his tool chest along
with him: but, in our republican country, per-
sons like him, when they behaved themselves
properly, had their rights as well as other peo.
pie; however, be would drop the subject for that
night, but in the morning would have the plea
sure OF exhibiting some of his tools to the gen
Hemdn, and OF convincing him. if necessary,
that he kne,o hoao 10 use them. There was some
thing, perhaps, in the last sentence, that Undue
ed the gentleman, early next morning to at
tempt making SAIL" without waiting for I" a
signa; but our tar was con the look out,n
and, jumping from bed, reminded the GENTLE
man of the promise he had made him the night
before; and requested him to tarry few mo-
ments, while he would unlock his tool chest
which he did, and disclosed a most unceren1o,
nious looking pair Of pistols the sight of such
Wicked looking tools, in the hands Of rorknon
that had little the appearance of a carpet
knight so trim," took, it may be supposed, the
young gentleman " all aback," while our tar
briefly informed him that these were part of the
tools that belonged to his trade-that he 1.-THE
gentleman had last night offered an insult,
through him, (the tar,) to body ofcitizens that
he had been always been taught to respect, (the
mechanics,) and that the gentleman must now
either make a suitable apology, or try his hand
at the tools; the young gentleman doubtlesslv
considering that " discretion is the better part
of valor," made the 'amende honorable" and
the tar replaced the tools in his chest with the
Indifference Of MECHANIr