The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-11-22
From the Boston Courier.
A PATCH ON BOTH KNEES AND
HT TOUEc ON

| A PATCH ON BOTH KNEES AND
GLOVES ON.
When I was boy, it was my fortune to breathe,
for long time, what some writers call the " bra
cling air of poverty" My mother-light lie the
turf upon the form which once enclosed her strong
and gentle spirt-was what is commonly called an
ambitious woman, for that quality which overturns
thrones and supplants dynasties, finds legitimate
sphere in the humblest abode that the shadow of
poverty ever darkened. The struggle between
the wish to keep up appearances and the pinching
grpe of necessity produced endless shifts and con-
trivances, 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 veil of oblivion, which shrouds from
profane eyes the followed mysteries of poverty,
On one occasion il became necessary to send me
upon an errand to neighbor in better circumstan-
ces than ourselves and before whom it was neces-
ry that should be presented, in the best possible
aspect. Great pains were accordingly taken to
give smart appearance to my patched and latter
ed wardrobe, and to conceal the rents and chasms
which the envious tooth oftime had made IN them;
and by way of throwing over my equipment, GER
tain SAVIOR and sprinkling of gentilty, my red and
tohardened hands were enclosed in the unfamil-
lar casing Of pair OF gloves, which had belonged
to my mother in days when her years were fewer
and her heart lighter.
sailed forth on my errand, and on my way en-.
countered much older and bigger boy, who be-
longed to family which had all our own dragging
poverty, and of our uprising wealth of spirit.
His rags fairly futtered in the breeze; his hat was
constructed on the most approved principle OF
ventilation; and his shoes from their venerable an
tiquity might have been deemed pair of fossil
shoes-the very ones on which Shem shuffled in
the ark He was an impudent varlet, with dare
devil swagger in his gait, Of" I'm as good as you,"
leer in his eye, the very whelp to throw stone
at well dressed horseman. because he was well
dressed; TO tear boys ruffles because he was
clean AS soon as he saw me, his eye detected
the practical Inconsistencies which characterized
my costume, and taking me by the shoulders. fur
ming me round with no gentle hand, and, svyey-
ing me from head to foot, exclaimed with scorn-
ful laugh of derision. "Apdtch on both knees and
glopes on.'
still recall the 8 ting OF wounded feeling which
shot through me at these words-To parody cel-
ebrated line of the immortal Tusc an s
"That day, wore my gloves no more"
But the lesson, thus rudey enforced, sunk deep
into my mind, and in after life have had frequent
occasion to make practical application of these
words of our ragged friend when have observ ed
r..
the conduct of mankind.
When for instance, see parents, carefully pro-
viding for the ornamental education of their chill
dren, furnishing them with teachers of music, dan
cling and drawing, but giving no thought to that
moral and religious training from which the true
dignity and permanent happiness of life alone can
come, never teaching them habits of self sacrifice
and self discipline and control, but rather by our
example nstructing them in evil speaking, in un--
charitableness in envy and In falsehood, I think,
with sigh, of a patch on both kntes and gloues
on.
When | see a family in a cold and selfish soli-
tude, not habtualy warming their houses with the
glow of happy faces, but lavishng that which
would furnish the hospitality Of whole year upon
the profusion of single night, think of patch
on both knees and gioues on.
When see house profusely furnished with
sumptuous furniture, rich curtains and luxurious
carpets, but with no books, or none but few taw-
dry ANIMALS, am reminded of patch on both knees
and giopes on
When see the public men cultvating sxclu-
sively those qualities which win a way to office;
and negecting those which will qualify them to fiji
honoraby the posts to which they aspire, i recall
a patch on both knees and gioues on.
When see men sacrificing peace OF mind and
health of body to the insane pursuit of wealth, liv-
ing in ignorance Of the character OF the children
who are growing up around them, cutting them
selves off from the highest and purest pleasures Of
their natures, and SO perverting their humanity,
that that which was sought means, insensibly
comes to be followed an end, say to myself, ga
patch on both knees and gioves on " @ +a
When see thousands squandered for selfishness
and osentation, and nothing bestowed for charity;
when see fine ladies' be-satined and be-jeweled,
the tolls Of dress-makers, and with
harsh words embittering the bitter bread of depen-
dance; when see the poor turned away from proud
houses where the crumbs Of tables would be to
them feast, think Of a patch on both knees and
glopes on.
MARRIED-on Thursday, 18th inst, by the
Rev. III. T Lawson, Mr. THOMAS SPRAGUE
and Mics CVTIJA NADIA REACH all of th;.