The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-22

putting on the engine company OF engl-
neers, for the purpose of surveying and To-
eating the route. You studied engineering
and surveying at school at the same time
that did, and suppose have still correct
knowledge of both; if so, will use my in
fluence to have you appointed Surveyor
The engineer is already chosen, and at my
desire will give all requisite instructions I'm :
I'll you revive your early knowledge of these
matters.
The salary is one thousand dollars
year,
A shadow still darker than that which
before rested there fell upon the face of the
mechanic.
ALAS SIR he said, 4 have not the slight
est knowledge. 1t is true, studied it or
rather, pretended to study it, at school-but
if made no permanent impression on my
mind. | saw no use it, then, and am now
as Ignorant Of surveying rs if had never
taken lesson on the subject.
Il am very sorry, Mr.. Allen the mer-
chant replied, in real concern. IF you were
good accountant might perhaps, get you
into a store What is your capacity it that
respectl'
Il ought to have been good accountant,
sir, for studied mathematics long enough,
but took little interest in figures, and now,
although was many months at school, pre-
tending to study book keeping | am utterly
incapable of taking charge ofa set of books
Such being the case, Mr.. Alien, | really
do not know what can do for you. But
stay | am about sending out an assorted
cargo TO Buenos Ayres, and thence round
70 Callao, and want man as sGper-carg
who can speak the Spanish language. |
remember that We studied Spanish together
Would you be willing to leave your family
and go! The wages will be one hundred
dollars month";
Il have forgotten all my Spanish, sir
| did not see the use of it while at school,
and therefore. it made no impression on my
mind.
The merchant really concerned for the
poor mechanic, again thought Of some way
to serve him. At length he said, 4 can
think but one thing that you can do. Mr..
Allen, and that will be much better than
your present employment. 1t is a service
for which ordinary laborers are employed
that of chain carrying to the surveyor on
the proposed railroad expedition
What IS the wages, sir ?
Thirty five dollars a month";
'And found p
Certainly
Il will except it, sir, thankfully the man
said. 1T will be better than my present
employment
Then make yourself ready at once, for
the company will start in week.
i will be ready sir the poor man repil-
ed
In a week tho company of engineers star
ted, and Mr.. Allen with them as chain car
rier; had he, when, a boy, taken the advice
of his parents ard friends 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 him as
chain carrier. Indeed we cannot tell how
high a position of usefulness and profit he
might have held, mad lie improved all tn
afforded him in youth. But
he perceived the use of learning too late.
Children and youth, cannot possibly know
so well as thei: parents, guardians and tea
cheers, what is best for them. Men who are
in active contact with the world, know.that
the more extensive their knowledge on all
subjects. the more useful they can be TO
others; and the higher and more important
use in society they are fitted by education
to perform. the greater is the return TO them
selves in wealth and honor.