Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-09-26

the manner with more decided and
proper effect. And albeit he did not
aspire to the dignity of forging ,hun-
der-bolt; no man could mould horse
shoe, pare a hoof, or drive nail
to better advantage than Fritz Pigi-
ron.
| With such ability and such habits as
these, Fritz began to rise from his low
estate, and in short time fairly shook
hands with poverty-that is 10 say, he
was clear of debt, had procured him a
good set oftools, and handsome stock
Of iron and steel, and had money be.
forehand. He spent nothing unneces-
sarIly, laid out nothing in fine clothes,
and evidently regarded his leather apron
as the most becoming part of his ap-
parel. He married wife as econom-
cal as himself; and though children
fiocked IN upon them, they, neverihe-
less, in the course Of time, arose to abb
solute wealth.
Industry always deserves, and wealth
generally commands respect. On both
these accounts it was very fully accor-
ded to Fritz Pigiron and his family.
He was regarded as an Industrious and
thriving man, as one who had raised
himself from the lowest poverty to be
the richest among his brother mechan-
les; and himself and family were res
pected accordingly.
/ Fritz had hitherto occupied mode
rate sized but very convenient house,
and as well calculated to insure the
comfort Of his family as one thrice its
size. But alas, for the influence of
immoderate desires! Fritz resolved in
an evil hour on pulling down and bull
ding larger. Accordingly materials
were procured and workmen employed
at great expense, and house three
stories high, and every way three times
as large as was necessary to accommo.
date his family, was erected in its
stead. Superb houses demand costly
furniture, and a great deal of it; and
neither Fritz nor his family seemed
willing that mansion with so fair an
outside should be wanting in its nteri-
or decorations. In short, there was
not house in all the village of Fair
bush, which could equal that of Fritz
Pigiron, in the holiness of its size or
the costliness of its furniture.
During the building of the house,
the neighbors Of Fritz, and especially
bis brother mechanics, while CHANGING
at the work, would frequently indulge
in such expressions as these" Pride
will have fall" Neighbor Pigiron
is becoming rather dsordered in his
upper story, It's wonder if the top
Of his house dom: find the bottom of
his purse !" and they finally christened
the house by the name of "Pigiron's
Folly"
But where is the use of fine house
and costly furniture, il one cannot
exhibit them to fine company So
thought the whole family. Parties
then must be given; and none but the
" first" in the village, of course, could
be admitted into any thing like fash
ionable lamb. Mechanics were Who'll
ly out of the question, as the Pigiron's
said, and never invited into "good So
ciety."
Fritz Pigiron now began to be asba-
med Of his occupation, and regret that
he was ever bred blacksmith. II he
was ashamed Of it, his wife and daugh-
ters were still more so, and would
have given all the silk IN their ward.
robes if the stain of charcoal had never
come over the hands of Mr.. Piglron.
But as the past could not be recalled,
it was resolved that no time should be
lost in wiping out the stain from the
future. Accordingly, the leather apron
of Fritz, in which he used to glory,
and which he owed all his present con-
sequence, was cast aside in scorn: the
anvil was heard to sound no longer /;
the very shop itself was RACED to the
ground, and every trace of it removed
from sight-in a word, Fritz Pigiron
set up for gentleman.
But il is the misfortune of those who
quit their own sphere and usurp a
place in a higher, to feel insecure in
their new station; to imagine that eve-
ry body considers them as intruders,
and under these impressions, to take
all imaginable pains to prove their
claims to the rank which they have
but lately assumed. They are apt to
launch out into sea of extravaganza
in dress, furniture and equipage; and
not only so, but exhibit haughtiness OF
carriage which has no parallel among
those whose claims to superior rank
are pot likely to be disputed. They
endeavor, especially, to separate them
selves as far as possible from their for
mer associates, and those whose rank
L thaxr have endea vnred 70 1, handora Lest