Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-05-01
III Z S o ID 4 z a 81 & o
TIL r TFT;
o r, NOTHING is USELESS.
FROM THE GERMAN OF zscuoxrs

JOHN ScHMiD was an old soldier with
wooden leg he was so poor that for some
years he was obliged TO solicit aims from door
To door III the villages near 10 that in which
ne hved, which was situated on the lake of
Constance. Now, however, old John Schmid
sits at ease in his arm chair; he is in indepen-
aeht circumstances yet few people guess
now lie came by his wealth. One ailirms
mat he discovered secret treasure others
nave gone so lar as TO hint that he made n
compact with the Evil One. When such hints
arc dropped IN my presence fail not to re-
prove ihe speakers, know better the means
oy which the old soldier got rich, and will
tell you how it was.
J"hn Schmid had three sons, whom he
nad brought up well in spite of Ills poverty !;
LOT he not only furnished them with good adj
vice, out with good example, and suffered ma
ny PriVatlons that he might send them 10
schcoi. One morning in spring, as the Old
man was dividing amongst them the bread
winch was TO break their fast, he said, "My
! ch'idreh, You are now old enough 10 gain
your own livelihood; but you must no. beg
~fie mere are other means o! obtaining it
mat would be taking bread out of the mouths
OF 'hose who want 1t more than you. sPierrc,'
he continued turning TO the oldest, svou are
fourteen years old, and have sharp eyes-use
them TO seek employment. You, Gabriel.
'hough year younger, have strong arms
set them to work. You, George, though on
~ eleven, have stout legs-proft by them.
"bnt what" exclaimed the boys at once
"woud you have us to do 20
John Schmid answered, II know that Won
have neither land TO cultivate. wood TO fell.
nor flocks to tend but there are MANY things
mat are thrown away as useless, but which
with little industry may be collected and
made profitable. By and by will show YOU
how DO not spend the money which you
Will earn in obedience to your wants, but e.
conomIse ii for the necessities of the future,
be 1t ever so little. Could you save on
ly batz day, each would amass at the end
OF the year twenty-four forins.''
Upon this John Schmid set about showing
his sons how they might earn their bread
lie desired them 10 go in different direc-
tons to collect the. following articles first.
bones the largest of which they could sell TO
The turner's, who made them into various use
iul and ornaments! articles, while the smaller
were required by farmers for manure. Sc
condlyj broken piece Of glass, to be dispos
Ell OF TO the gass-workers for recasting. AS
it was spring, he charged them to get tooetber
all the rose leaves and eder-blossoms which
fell in their way, and for which the apotheca-
RES give good prices. He also reminded his
sons, that by little inquiry the chemists
would point out what Others plants and roots
they required. Upholsterers would purchase
cows hair, sadders, coaclt-makers, and chair
makers, horse hair Besides these articles
he mentioned rags for paper-makers, bristles
Tor brush manufacturers, quilts, pins, hedge
wood, birdweed, and several other tbi1os
which might be turned into money with no
other trouble than that Of seeking oiit and col
lectng them. The sons did as they were de-
sired, under the guidance Of their father.
During the spring and GUNNER shey collected
and sold with success, and :heir profits dailv
augmented When autumn came, thew souoi,t
things of different Kind Whenever t6sv
could obtain permission they gathered wild
fruits, some Of winch could be made into win.
egar and other usefu! articles From the
woods they obtained scorns and the seeds Of
other species Of trees, for which they obtain
ed good price, sometimes from forestcrs, at
others from grain dealers They also got to-
gether heaps Of horsc-chcsnuts and took them