The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-05

"N ORkMAN'S GALLOWS.n

Carlyle, in of his late productions relates the
following characteristic anecdotc Of Doctor Fraucia
the Dictator of Paraguay
Francia had extensive barrack buildings arm
Furnishings, immensities of work going on, and his
workmen had in general tendency to be imaginary
lie could get no work out of them only more or
less deceptive simitudc of work Masons, call
ed builders OF houses, did not build, but merely seem
to build their walls would not bear weather, stand
on their bases in high winds. Hodgc-razors, in all
conceivable kinds were openly marketed, (which
were never meant 10 shave, but only to be sold ~
For length Of time Francias righteous soul strug-
gled sore, yet unexplosvey, with the propenses Of
these unfoi tunate men.
by rebuke, by remonstrance, encouragement, offers
of reward, and every vigance and effort he strove
to convince them that it unfortunate for son Of
Adam to be an imaginary workman that every son Of
Adam had better make razors which were meant to
shave. In vain, all in vain At length Francia lost
patience with them. Thou wretchcd Fraction; wilt
thou be the ninth part even Of a taor3 Does it be-
seem thee TO weave cloth of DEVILS dust instead Of
tue wool and cut and sew it if thou vert not q
tailor, but the fraction OF a very tailor! ] cannot
endure everythingr Franca in despair erected his
: Wofkman's Gallowsr Yes that institution did ex-
lst in Paraguay; men and workmen il with their
eyes. most remarkable, and on the whole, not un-
beneficial institution of society there Robertson
gives the following with the Belt-maker of
Assumption, which, be it literal, in part poetic,
does doubt of 1t, hold the mirror up to nature in
altogether true, and surely in surprising
In came one afternoon poor shoemaker, with a
couple Of grenaders belts neither according TO the
fancy Of the Dictator.
Sentincls, said he-and in came the sentinel,
when the following conversation ensued
Dictator Take this bribanazo Ia very favorite
word Of the Dictator and which, being interpreted,
means most impairment scoundrep take this briba
nG-o TO the gibbet over the way, and walk him under
il half dozen times. And now, said he, turning to
the trembling shoemaker bring me such another
D1ir of bplts and instead of under the gal
lows, shall try how you can s,ci,g upon it,"
Shoemaker Please your Excellency, have done
my best
Dictator Well bribon if this be your best shall
do my best, TO that you never again mar bit Of
the states leather. The belts Of no to
but they will do very well to hang you upon the little
framework which the grenadier will show YOU
Shoemaker God bless your Excellency, the Lord
forbid ! am your yassal-your slave day and night
have | served, and will serve my lord only give me
two days TO prepare the belts por 81 alma de
n friSe sapaiero by the soul Of poor shoemaker
will make them 10 your Excellency's liking "
Dictator OFF with him, sentiner
Sentinel Venga bribon come along, you rascal
Shoemaker Senior Excellentismo Thu very night
will make the belts according to your Exceency's
pattern
DICTATOR Well you shall have till the morning
but still you must pass under the gbbet it is sau
tary process, and may at once quicken the workman
ship"
Sentinel PdnonoS, bytJon the supreme com
mands it,
! OFF was the shoemaker marched he was accord
ing to ORDERS passed and passed under the gbbet
and then allowed to retire TO his stall.
He worked there with such an alacrity and SHY line
enthusiasm all night that his belts on the morrow
were without parallel in South America and he i
now, if still in this life, Beltmaker general to Para
guay a prosperous man gateful to Francla and The
gal ows, may hope, for casting certain Of the SO
ven devils out OF him."