The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-06-04

their habits and manners William always reci-
| ted his lessons correctly, while Herbert never
| learned task well. One was always punctual
! at school-thc other loiterer by the way VIII
| liams books were well taken care of-lierberts
| soilcd, torn, dsigured, and broken, externally
| andinternally.
Thus they began life. The one obedient, in
dustrous, attentive to the precepts of those who
| were older and wiser, and willing to be guided
| by thcm;--thc other, ndolent and inclined to
| follow the headings of his own will, rather than
the more experienced teachings of Others
Asmen, at the age OF thlrty-tive, we will again
present them to the reader. Mr. Wheeler is an
| intelligent merchant, in active business
while MIR. Allen is a journeyman mechanic, poor,
in embarrassed circumstances, and possessing but
small share Of general information.
''liow do you do, Mr. Allen" said the mcr-
chant to the mechanic, about this t:me as the
latter entered the courLng-room of the former
The contrast in their appearance was very great.
The merchant was well-dresscd, and had cheer
tul louisville the other was poorly clad, and
seemed troubled and detected.
~ can't say that do very well, Mr.. Wheeler,
the mechanic replied, in tone of dependency.
"Work IS very dull and wages low; and with so
large a lilly as have, it is tough enough get
ting along, under the best circumstances
81 am really sorry to hear you say SO, Mr. Al
len" replied the merchant, in Il kind tone. 'llow
much can you earn now?n
"lf had steady work, could make nine or
ten dollars week. But our business is very
bad; the substitution of stean-cngines on rail-
roads, for horses on turnpikes, has broken in Sc
rlously upon the harness-muking business. The
consequence is, that do not average six dollars
a week the year round"
as it possible, that railroads have wrought
such Il change in your business; "
"Ies-in the harncss-making branch of it
especially i'll large cities like this, where the hea
Wy wagon trade is almost entirely broken
up"
"Did you say that six dollars week were all
that you could average"
"ies sir"
elbow large is your famly:''
81 have five children, sir.''
Give children. And only six dollars
week,n
THAT is ALL SIR But six dollars will not sup
port them, and am, in consequence, going be-
hindhand."
"You oughtto try to get into some other bust
ness"
"But don't know any other.n
The merchant unused for while, and then
said,
Perhaps can aid you in getting INTO some
thing better. am president of Il ncwly-pro-
jected rail road, and we are about putting on the
line company of engineers, for the purpose of
surveying and locating the route. You studied
surveying and engineering at school at the same
time that did, and suppo. have still correct
knowledge of both if 80, / will use my influence
to have you appointed surveyor The engineer
is already chosen, and at my desire he will give
you all requisite instruction until you revive your
carly knowledge Of these matters. The salary is
one hundred dollars month";
shadow still darker than that which be-
fore rested there, fell upon the face Of the me-
chanic.
"Aas sir" he said, " have not the slight
est knowledge ofsurveying. 1t true, studied
1t, or rather, pretended to study it at school-but
it made no permanent impression on my mind
Jaw no use in it, then, and am now as ignorant
of surveying as if | had never taken a lesson on
the subiect.:'
4 am very cory, Mr.. Allen the merchant re-
Piled in real concern. "If you were good ac-
countant, might, perl APPS, get you into store.
What is your capacity in this respect"
II ought to have been good accountant, Sir,
for studied mathematics long enough;but took
little interest in figures, and now, although
was for many months, while at school, pretending
to study bookkeeping, am utterly incapable Of
taking charge of set of books"
"Such being the case, Mr.. Allen, | really do
not know what can do for you. But stay!-l
am about sending out an assorted cargo TO Bue-
nos Ayres, and thence round to Calao, and want
man to 60 as supercargo, who can speak the
Spanish language. The captain will direct in
the sales. i remember that we studied Spanish
together. Would you be willing to leave your
family and go' The wages will be one hundred
dollars month"
III have forgotten all my Spanish, sir. ! did
not see the use of it while at school, and there
tore, 1t made no impression on my mind"
The merchant, really concerned for the poor
thppuht Of n
him. At length he said,
81 can think of but one thing that you can do
Mr., Allen, and that will not be much better than
your present employment. 1t is a service for
which ordinary labourers are employed-that Of
chan-carrying to the surveyor, Oh the proposed
railroad expedition"
'What Is the wages, sir"
"Thirty-fye dollars month"
Sand tound:"
"Certainly."
" ! will accept it, sir, thankfully ~ the man
said. at will be better than my present employ
ment."
Then make yourself ready at once, for the
! company will start i'll week"
81 will be ready, sir" the poor man replied,
and then withdrew
In week the company of engineers started,
and Mr.. Allen with them, as chain-carricr, when
had he, as boy, taken the advice of his parents
and friends, and stored up in his memory what
they wished him to learn, he might have filled
the surveyors office, at more than double the
wages paid to him chain-carrier. Indeed,
we cannot tell how high position of usefulness
and profit he might have held had he improved
all the opportunities afforded him in youth. But
he perceived the use of learning too late.
The writer Of this brief sketch earnestly hopes
that none of his young readers will make the
same discovery that Mr. Allen did when it is