The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-05
From the Boston Courier
"A Patch ora both Knees and
Gloves on.
IN InfIrAToE OF DIR. FRANKLi n

ior long ilme, what some writer calls the "bracng
air OF poverty" My mother light lie the turf up
on the form which enclosed her strong and gen
tie spirt-was what is commonly called an ambitious
woman, for that quality which ovorurns thrones and
suPPlans dynasties, finds legitimate sphere 10 the
humble abode that the shadow Of poverty ever dark
ened. The struggle between the wish to keep up
appearances and the pnching gripe of necessity pro-
duced endless shifts and contrivances, at which were
they told, some would smile, and some, to whom
they would recall their own experiences, would sigh.
But let me not disturb that vale of oblivion, which
shrouds from profane eyes the haowed mysteries Of
poverty.
On one occasion il necessary TO send me upoi
errand 10 a neighbor in better circumstances than
ourselves, and before whom it was necessary that
should be presented in the best possible aspect
Great pains accordingly taken to give n smar,
appearance to my patched and dilapidned wardrobe
and to conceal the rents and chasms which the envi-
Gus tooth of time had made in them; and by way of
throwing over my equipment certain SAVIOR and
sprinkng of gcntiy, my red and oil-hurdened hands
were enclosed in the unfamiliar casing Of PAIR o
gloves, which had belonged to my mother in days
when her years fewer and her heart lighter.
l sailed forth on my errand, and my way en-
countered much older and bigger boy who evident
ly belonged TO family, which had all our down
dragging povcrty,and of uprising wealth Of spr-
it, His rags fairly luttered in the breeze; his hat
was constructed on the most approved system of ven
aiion; and his shoes from their venerable antiquity,
might have heen deemed pair Of fossil shoes-,hC
very ones which Shcm shulled into tho ark. liz
impudent varlet, with dare devil swagger ia
his gait, and with sort Of "I'm good you'lee
in his eye-the very whelp to throw stone at
we'll dressed horseman, and to tear n boys ruffle
simply because il clean. As soon as he saw me
his eye detected the practical Inconsistencies which
characterised my costume and taking me by the
shoulders turning round with no gentle hand and
surveying me from head to foot, exclaimed with a
scornful laugh of deriSion, ".a patch on both knees
and glores ON
still recall the sting ofwounded feeling which sho,
through me at these words. To parody celebrated
line ofthe immortal Tuscan
That day wore, my gloves
But the lesson, thus rudely enforced SUNK deep in
to my mind and, in after fe have had frequent
occasion to make practical application ofthe words
of my ragged friend when have observed the prnc-
teal Inconsistencies which so often mark tho conduct
of mankind.
When, for instance, see parents carefully provi-
ding for the ornamental education Of their children,
furnishing them with teachers in music dancing and
drawing, but giving thong ht TO that moral and
ligious training from which the true dignity and per-
manen, happiness life alone can come, never teach
ing them habits Of ee sacrifice and self discipline and
CONTROL but rather by example instructing them in
evil speaking in Observation-Disclosures, in envy, and in
fall I with n ei1 Of fhJ both
knees and gloves on.
When see a family living in a cold and selfish
soue, not habituay warming their houses with the
glow Of happy faces but avishing that which sho uld
furnish the hospitality of whole year upon the pro-
fusion of single night, think orthe patch on both
knees and gIosss on.
When see n house profusely furnished with
sump,uous furniture, rich curtains, and luxurious car
PETS but with no books, or none but a few tawdry
ANNALS am reminded of the patch both knees and
gloves on.
When I see the public men cultivating exclusively
those qualities which win way to Office, and neg
lecting those which will qualify to ill honoraby the
posts TO which they asprcd recall the patch ON both
knees and glores on.
When see men sacrificing peace OF mind and
health of body to the insane pursuit Of wealth, living
in ignorance of the character Of the children who are
growing up around them, cutting themselves of from
the highest and purest pleasures of their natures and
so perverting their humanity. that that which was
sought as means nsensbly comes tn be followed as
an end, say 10 myself, ga patch on both knees and
gloves on.''
When see thousands squandered for ael6shness
and ostentaton, and nothing bestowed Tor charity,
when SEQ Gas ladies be-satned and be jeweed,
cheupening the toll of dressmakers, and with harsh
words cmbitteting the bread of dependence, when |
see the poor turned away from proud houses, where
the crumbs ofthe tables would be to them fenst,
think ofthe patch on both knees and gloUes on
When see men lynx-eyed to the faults of others,
and mole eyed 10 their own, when see savage
ness of virtue which forgves nothing, toleates moth
ing, and makes allowance for nothing, when de-
cent life and conversation thought sufficient war