Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-12-12
READ THIS, BOYS!

READ THIS, BOYS!
"This is the effect of shoemaking,"
said young mechanic to US yesterday,
shaking we'll filled purse in our face
It was not said boasiingy, but with an
honest pride. He was the son OF an in
dJstrouS mechanic, who has known the
height of af1uence and the depth Of power
~. His cid st son is reared torthe ministry,
and Is, VIC believe, a talented and useful
member OF society. A second was me-
chanic hard working fellow. The third
had acquired an excellent ed ,cation, after
much labor and hard work through his
own means. -The youngest son, or him
to whom we introduced our readers, was
brought up in the conviction that labor " as
derogatory to respectabli;y-that wealth
was the highest good that C uId be enjoyed
by mortals. He was early sent TO school :;
then to an academy, preparatory to a
course of professional studies. Mean.
while, his Old father was toilng on, stri-
wing to attain the distinctions which are at
tendant upon wealth, merely for the sake
of his children; but still willing to forego
al the pleasures and emoluments of the
world, If his sons could be useful and
lduded IN community. The young man
entered upon his studies convinced that he
was the son Of a rich man comparatively.
and that consequently he was entitled TO
''iul! swing" in all the frolics and sprees
which are prevalent in a high school,
Books and duty itself, we're made subser-
n hn 81
years were completed, he came to his dis,
appointed parents; wild, indolent boy,
instead OF. the sedate, fixed and ambitious
young man. He loitered about home some
time; but his fathers const tuition was
broken, his business retarded, his sales slow
his returns nothing. Starvation was before
the family. Fruitless and many were the
applications which the young man made
at the trading establishments Of the city
for occupation. There were more clerks
than merchants and more traders than
buyers.
Worn out with fatigue, and with the
stings OF conscience for his former life and
misspent time. with his spirit BUNDLED, and
his mind willing to undergo any privation
rather than return 10 his fathers house,
the shop Of every mechanic, from the
black smith's to the jewelers. was beseige1,
bat it was a time of general depression in
business, and every man looked out for
his own good. So, without blame, con
scious that he had done his best to obain
situation, the young man returned home.
The well spread table, the carpeted floor,
and the refinement which was visabe in
the household, bat seemed to aggravate the
misery OF lis tenants. Lower and lower
the cruise went down till the oil was we'll
nigh exhausted. One day he was in the
shop Of an old blind shoemaker, who had
amassed by his own industry reputable
fortune while he had built up 4 reputation
in the community in which he lived
"Why don't you go to work." asked the
old man. | can't get any thing to do"
was the reply. "Come and learn my
trade" said he. 1t was bargain.
The pampercd son of fortune forgot his
pride, bowed his head to the yoke; and be-
came the apprentice of honest father-
His good habits endcared him sensibly to
the generous shoemaker, and the progress
which he made in his new avocation surpris-
cd every one who had before been acquain-
ted with his idle habits. The old man died !;
during his illness. he carried on the business
of the shop, and received for his services
some old tools which had been the property
of his employer, He commenced business
for himself, but soon went TO a flourishing
village of shoem2kers, and entered a large
establishment as journey man. His love
for study and refinement increased The
best society was thrown open to him; the
confidence of his master was unbounded in
his integrity; his shopmates were pleased
with his native talent and address. he be-
came the sum of their little circle. and when
he left his employer,in the hope of obtaining
more lucrative situation, his loss was most
severely lamented. We were conyersing
yesterday with this young gentleman, for
he can Justly lay claim to that title,) upon
he false pride which has ruined so many
boys. Sad he, . if had obtained clerk
IS p when sought it, | should have been an
c-,s u soc ETY. and beegar." This is
the eiiac, Of shoemaking, of industry, and of
en.c'pg zc--a good reputation. clear con-
science, aad q happy liie.-Farmcr and
Ecc laaic.