Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-11-09
MY FIRST JACK.KNIFE.


so smooth and sem-transparent, glowing
with the unmeaning but magic word
"Bunkum," and the blade Significantly in.
viting you TO the test, by the two mono.
syllables "try me-" II united the char
acteristc Recommendation of the haft
and invitation of the blade into a small
cuplet, which, aS nearly as can rScol-
lect, ran thus
"Bunkum" on the handle, Il
"Ty me' on ths blade.
II by the word on the handle you we're
impe!led to believe that the article aboun.
dsd in bumps of self.eStSem, your ideas
would at once be corrected by the blade
which, conscious of the intrinsic merit,
called'upon you promptly to test its supe-
riority; az union OF fmodest assurance and
assumed modOsty, which | humbly re-
commend TO all who are their own trum.
peters.
know not how it is, but | never could
take half the comfort in any thing which
have since possessed, that took in this
said Jack knife; earned it myself, aud
there, had feeling of independence; it
was bought with my own money mot teaz.
ed out Of my uncle, or still kinder faith
er-monsy that | had silently earned on
the afternoons Of those days set apart
for boys from time mmemorial, there
in TO amuso themselves and annoy tLoir
mothers.
! YeS!with a spirit OF perseverng indus
try and self denial at which | do now won
der, but Of kind, the tendency of which
do not doubt, has had its effects in tho
formation of many en- exalted character,
(from such trivial causes so great effects
arise,) went every afternoon during
cherry time" and picked the rpened
fruit, With cqgernssS, for my heart was id
my task.
| sold my berries, and carefully reserv.
ing the proceeds, shortly accumulated
enough 10 purchase the treasure for which
! so eagerly lopged. | went to oas of
the village stores, and requested tho con-
scisntiOus. dealer in tape and molasses to
show me his Jack.Knives; but he seeing
that was only boy, thinking that, like
many others who had bothered him be-
foro with the same request, merely
meant 10 amuSe myself by looking at the
incest and wishing il was mine, told
me not to plague him with any nonsense
while che was mixing liquor for the gen.
tIsmen."
turned with Indignation, but | felt the
inward comfort Of man who has conf.
dencO in his own resources, and knows
he has the power in bis own hands.
quietIyjingIed the money in my pockets,
and went 10 the opposite Store.
I asked for Jatk.KniVes, and was shown
a lot fresh from the city,which were temp.
lingIy laid down before me, and left for
me 10 select from, while the trader went
10 another part of the store TO please an.
other customer. ! looked over them,
d opened them, breathed upon the blades
shut them again; one was too hard, anoth-
or had no spring; 6nOlly, however, after
examining them with all the judgment
which, in my opinion, the extent Of the
Investment required, Iselected one with
a hole through the handIe--and, after a
dissertation with the owner upon jack
knives in general, and this one in parlcu.
lar, upon haWkbIl and dagger blades
and handles, iron, bone and buck horn, |
succeeded in closing satisfactory nesoti'
alton lorii
| took this instrument had purchIU.
ed;--l felt . sudden expansion Of my
boy.Sh frame! 1t was my world! |
deposited il in my pocket, among OthsI
VGluabIOs, tWine, pips-Gtems,Slate pencils
sc. went home 10 my lather; told
him how long had spent time which oh
srs had allotted to play, TO possess myself
oimy treasure.
Ny heart gently chided me for not tsl
ling him of my wants; but, boy as Mal
d | observed his glstening eyes turn afec
Tionately TO my mother aud then TO me
aud | thought that his manly form seemed
10 sraighlen up aud he TO look prouder
= At any rate, he came 10 me, aud, patting
y my curly head, told me there was no oh,
5 sCt in life which was reasonable 10 be de-
sired, that honesty, self denial, well direct.
cd, Industry, and perseverance would not
= place within my reach; and if through life
carried tho spirit Of independent exer-
lion into practice, which had displayed
in The mAIterof The jack knife, should
be that great hobby bOrse oflltIe boys, a
"great man."
From that moment / was now lad
had The walnut saplings for my bow, or
the ltaght pine for my arrow, or carving
discovered that could rely upon myself.
! took my jack,knfe and many a time
while cutting my mimic ship, did muse
upon those words Of my father, so deeply
are The kind exnressions of judcous pa.
rents engraven on the heart snd memory
oiboyhood.
My knife was my constant companions;
il was my carpenter. my ship builder, my
| toy manufacturer, nv factotum: IL was