Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1842-02-15
HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN.
BY t. s. ARTHUR.

HOW To BE A GENTLEMAN.
BY t. s. ARTHUR.
sWatson is very much Of gentleman
remarked young man 10 his friend and
companion, as the two stood looking after
the individual alluded to, who had Iust
left them, and was walking leisurely
away.
lam not so certain Of that was the
reply.
1T would not do for him to hear you
say that, Walter,' responded his friend.
'Perhaps not. The consciousness that
the remark had something Of truth in it.,
would irritate him, and wounded pride
would demand satisfaction. A true gen.
tleman never busters when his claims to
that distinction are questioned. He
knows that he is gentleman, and that
settles the matter in his own mind
but why do you doubt Watson's claims
to the title ofa gentlemanr
Because have, in several instances,
even during the short time have known
him, observed him act towards strangers,
whose appearance indicated that their
station in society was an obscure one, in
very unkind or neglectful Manner
81 believe | have noticed something Of
that myself,' remarked the other, thought
fully: iand see the correctness and
force of your Inference
MEMS true characters,' resumed his
, friend. 'aEe not to be read while they hold
intercourse with those Of certain posi-
tion and influence. But when they come
in contact with the obscure and humble,
thew stand revealed as they really are.
Watson is remarkably polite to you, and
/ think it is partly because your father is
intimate with the Secretary Of the Navy
with whom he wishes to make interest,
and partly because your station in socie-
" is pretty near the first rank
Il fear you judge harshly; Trueman,'
remarked the friend, addressing the sPea.
ker by name.
perhaps | do, WaiIace5 but am yet
10 be convinced of my error. l have
quick feelings, and they have made nae
observant. lfyou, as /, had been com
PEELED to force your own way up, step by
step, in society, meeting at every point
neglect or superclliousness, you would
have learned TO scan men closer. Few,
let me assure you, Of the many who in
public are thought gentlemen in exter-
mails, have any real claim TO that noble
distinction. All is assumed and cOnven.
tional.'
tYou draw painful picture, Trueman.
RutJ have never found men so deficient
in true gentlemanly feelings as you seem
10 think too many Of them are
mo, Wallace, nor unless great changes
should take place in your condition, will
YOU ever make the discovery to any ex-
tent. You and have come to our pre-
sent place by very different ways. lhaVe
struggled up, as you know, from obscuri-
ty-you were born to an elevated position
in society. Ny experience is, therefore,
worth dozen of yours. At school was
sneered at by the children Of wealthy pa
rents: as an apprentice TO trade, was
treated with indifference by lads who
could get behind counter, and were
classed with clerks. When |, at last,
cot TO bo clerk, | was despised and
Stunned, ss unworthy Of such elevated
company, by young men studying the pro.
fessions and when in the busy round Of
change, / too bent over the dull books
in lawyers Office, met the same want
of kindness and consideration from those
who Thought themselves above me--rich
mems sons, pursuing the same course OF
legal studies, who considered the money
they were to inherit as Of much more i'm
porlaAce than the knowledge they were
pretending to- acquire. As | gradually
rose, from unwearied devotion 10 every
ahing | attempted, and began to acquire
reputation after my admission to the bar
] found wider circle Of those who were
ready TO take me by the hand, but still
found men the same every where, and il
:. all conditions. There were always sOm'
70 pass me with marked neglect or Il
meet me in open rudeness-men too
who like Watson, bad the most affabl
mannersfO those whom they choose b
honor with their attentions
Ian ahrsid, my, fisad' Wallace re-