The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-04-27
From the Saturday EDening Post.
THE SCARLET SHAWL,
OR TIE TWO SCHooLMATEs.
py PROFESSOR J. b. 1NGRAHAM.

Edwin Barry and Seth Manning were
school. fellows at Chester Academy: Inc
father of Edwin was lawyer of good sianu'
inc and some property; the father OF Seth
was house carpenter.
Youth cannot too soon learn, that what
ever distinction occupation, money or Dlrth
NAV assume, no such thing as respectaDlll-
w. as it is termed, can exist ASIDE from al
honest and useful life; that no branch OF
Industry is degrading; and that no employ,
rcent that contributes to the general good
and comfort of society is disreputable.
Youth should reflect that the fathers of
the Revolution periled their lives and hon
ors 10 break the chains Of servitude that
bound our free lands to British master,
severed the chains and gave liberty to all
coming generations Of their sons. Having
thrown off the yoke of political servitude,
net US no longer continue to wear the
chains of moral bondage to her customs
and her usages. Americans should nave
no other aristocracy than that OF merit!
In cherishing any other, though foolIshiy
and wickedly adopted ideas of respectable
ity,' in elevaling one occupation at the ex-
pense Of another, and measuring the merit
of men by their pursuits and not by their
usefulness, they are only reforging for
themselves the chains their patriot fathers
shivered in pieces. Like the lsraeliles,
they crv for the gods of Egypt they once
worshipped, and making golden calf out
of the offerings of pride, vanity, and amDl-
ton, fall down and adore IT.
The false system which excludes trades
men from good society," is the golden
calf of Americans, and unless they break
it up themselves, they will one day be for
ced to drink of the bitter waters with which
it is mingled.
Like most youths whose fathers belong
to one ofthe professions, Edwin Barry was
early taught that he was respectable by
virtue ofhis fathers pursuits. His mother
inculated this idea with his daily meals
and his father enforced thy his bearing TO-
wards mechanics. Edwin as he grew up,
became naughty, aristocratic, and prlded
himself much on his 'respcctabllty.' 1t
was his delight 10 make boys less fortunate
feel his position above them, and boast OF
the great men he saw at his fathers house.
One day he was talking with Seth Man.
ming. for he condcscended to speak TO me-
chanics' sons when he could make them
listeners TO his own vain and silly ooasls.
Seth, moreover, lived in the same street,
and they often fell in together on the way
to school, when Edwin, who loved IDLE
ness, was willing to avail himself OF seth's
more studious habits to gel hclpin his les
sons. They were each about sixteen
v,e,rs Of are. Edwin seeing Seth ap-
prosching from his humble dwelling walt
cd for him to come up. :,
Il saw observed he with an elevated
looL as Seth came near will, his school
bouks and ancient looking slate under his
arm, who do you think is going to be at
our house to day, TO dinner?
Il don't know, Edwin answered Sct"'
as he quietly walked on.
well, it's Judge Barnes" answered Ed
win, as if he had given utterance to a piece
of overwhelming intelligence. seih did
not however, receive it as anything very
remarkable, and Edwin looked much dis
pleased.
You don't think anything of Judges
being at our house, hey? Well, guess IL
would be long day before Judge or an!
respectable man would go into your house,
answered Barry.
know what YOU call respectable, and
what is respectable said Seth in manly
tone. Judge Barnes, I have heard, is
very cruel man and drinks.
But hei respectable and belongs 10 the
rst society. Father says man mustn't
be Judged by his private life, but by his re-
spectacle standing. Pm sure I'D rather
be wicked Judge than clever trades
man.
I'm sorry YOU think so, Edwin, as such
sentiments will bring you much unhappl-
ness. know you think my father is not
respectable, and that while you walk with
me, you keep a step or two in advance and
look round and up to the windows, as
though You feared you should be seen as
socia,ing with me-
Edwin colored, for he felt the truth and
force Of fSeth's plain and candid reproof:
He stammered something which Seth did
not hear, in way Of excusing himself and
then in confidential, favoring kind of tone
said:
Come, Seth, never mind, was out at a
party at Colonel Farney's last night, ant
didn't get my task in Virgil: Will youJus
tr,pclato;t - nvor fnr me- when we get VI