Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1842-06-29

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new And if you will let me do them, will
fix them all up nice for you cheap
"Will you, indeed! But what is your name
ard where do you live?"
"My name is James Wallace, and live with
Mr.. Lee, the blind-naker.
"Do You, indeed! Well, how much will you
charge for painting them, and putting on new
hangings?"
ings and tassels will cost me three-quarters of
dollar, and the paint and varnish quarter
more. And it will take me two or three eve
nings, besides getting up very early in the
morning TO work for Mr.. Lee, so that | can
paint and varnish them when the sun Shines
"But will Mr.. Lee let you do this!"
81 don't know, sir But will ask him."
every well, my little man. fMr. Lee does
not object, am willing"
James ran back to the house, and found Mr..
Lee standing in the.door. Much 10 his delight,
his request was granted. Four days from that
time he possessed book OF his own. and had
half dollar with which 10 buy some other vol
ume, when he should have thoroughly mas
tered the contents of that. Every night found
him poring over this book, and so soon as il
was light enough in the morning to see, he was
up and reading.
OF course, there was much in it that he could
not understand, and many terms that dehed all
his efforts and comparisons of the context, TO
understand TO help him in this difficulty, he
purchased with his remaining half dollar, at a
second-han book stall, dictionary. By the
aid of this he acquired the information he sought
much more rapidly. But the more he read, the
broader the unexplored expanse of knowledge
appeared to open before him. He did not, how
ever, give way to feelings Of discouragement,
but steady devoted every evening, and an hour
every morning, to study; while all through the
day his mind was ponderng over the things he
had read, as his hands were diligently employ
ed in the labor assigned him.
1t occurred, just at this time, that number
of benevolent individuals established, in the
town where James lived, one of those excel
lent institutions, an Apprentices Library. 10
this he at once applied, and obtained the books
he needed. Instead, however, OF resortlng 10
the library for mere books of amusement, ne
borrowed only those from which he could OBJ
tain the rudiments Of learning, such as text
/ books Of science.
! He early felt the necessity from having read
book on Astronomy with a strong desire 10
master lis contents, ,formathematlcal knowledge,
and in the effort to acquire this, he first COM
menced studying-for he had no preceptor 10
guide him-a work on Geometry In working
out problems, he used pair of shop compass
es, with pointed quill upon one of The prongs.
And thus all alone in his garrett, frequently un-
I'll midnight, ,--none dreaming of his devotion
to the requirement of knowledge-did the poor
apprentice boy lay the foundation of future en-
inence and usefulness We cannot trace his
course, step by step, through long series OF
seven wears, though it would afford many les
sons of perseverance and triumph over almost
/ insurmounlable difficulties. But a, ,weniy-one
he was master of his trade; and, what was
more, had laid up a vast amount of general and
scientific information. He was well read in
history. Had studied thoroughly the science
of Astronomy, for which he ever retained
lively affection. Was familiar with mathematl-
cal principles, and could readily solve the most
dificul, Geome,rical and Agebraic problems.
His Geographical knowledge was minute; and
10 this he added tolerably correct information
in regard TO the manners and customs oil differ
ent nations TO natural history he had also
given much attention But, with all OF his va
ried requirements, James Wallace felt, on al
tanning the age of manhood, that ne knew
comparatively, but little.
Let us turn now, for few moments, 10 mark
the progress which the young student, in one ol
the best seminaries in his native city, and alter
wards at college, had made. Like too many
tradesmen, whose honest industry and steady
perseverance have gained them competence
Mr. Lee felt indisposed to give his son trade
or to subject him to the same restraints and DIS
cpine in youth 10 which he had been subject.
ed He felt ambitious for him, and determined
TO educate him for one of the learned profess
! ions. To this end he sent him to school early
and provided for HIM the very best olinsIructon
The idea ha, he was 10 be lawyer or a
doctor, soon took possession Of the mind ol
/ Harman, and this caused him to feel contempt
for other boys who were merely designed ioi
trades, or siore-keepers.
Like TO many others, he had no love ior
learning, nor any right appreciation ol lis iegt,
innate uses. TO be lawyer, he thought would
be much more honorable, than 10 be mere me-
| chanic. and for this reason alone, as Tar as he