Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-03-26
TIE MECHANIC.

Mr. Simon Richards, hard working mechan-
ic, who barely succeeded in making both ends
meet by the most incessant and untiring appli-
cation to his business, sailed forth from his
humble dwelling about the same hour as that in
which Mr. Pryce Bencdick was introduced tot
the notice of the reader, bent on an errand of
similar nature, though obliged to indulge his
generosity, from the difference in their re-
spective circumstance on far moremoderate
scale
He had not gone squares distance from
his door, when his ears were saluted by the
sounds of distress, and, as the mechanic was
one of those who always sympathlze with the
unfortunate he stopped at once-athough he
had promised his wife to return in a few minutes
at futthest-and after searching for some time,
he discovered, on directing his scrutiny into an
adjoining area, the gate of which had been left
open, wretched fellow fallen helpless.
Richards raised him with a strong sentiment
of pity, to a sitting posture; and had Mr.. Pryce
Benedick been there to look on, he would have
pronounced him, at once, the same individual
to whom he had SO generously rendered sh-
ling.
Here's a pretty kettle of fish, said the me-
chanic as he surveyed the wretched object be-
fore him. 'PIl be bound, now, he's been the
victim of some griping landlord and turned out
like an old horse to die Of famine in the streets
say, odfellow-
The outcast, after hearty shaking from the
linz l,, i'd a
deep sigh broke from his chest, like the smoth.
cred vapors Of a sIumbering voIcano-accompa.
MED by powerful shudder. He glared around
him wildly for a second, and muttered like one
in dream
i can't 60 to the poor-house
I Il don't blame you a bit, old fellow sale
Mr. Richards in tone of decision Whoever
wanted you to 90 there was no friend of yours
| guess, if the truth were told. Come-get up
and 90 with me-
Whcre!-to the ams-house|
To the aims houscl What a queer notion
Well maybe we don't fare much better, as fal
as the eatables are concerned, but, at any rate
you won't be worked into galloping consump
ton by pack of flint-hearted overseers, as I've
heard say they are who allow themselves to be
taken care Of by the corporation. But come
we shall both perish here-its as cold as Siberii
tonight, and you don't look as if you coult
stand it much longer
AS soon as the mechanic could make the poo
fellow understand, he aided him to regain hi,
feet and they went together into neighborin!
collar w icho
and while it was preparing drew from his new
acquaintance the story of his nights adventures
from which it appeared that after being thrus
forth from every door at which he had applied,
and unable to obtain even a morsel of food he
had fallen, iii state Of exhaustion upon the
steps of the mansion where the rich merchant
had found him That he had taken the shilling
given him by the latter to a neighboring eating
house, where it was discovered to be worthless
and he was beaten from the door in consequence
Further than this he had no distinct remem
brance.
Could Mr.. Benedick have heard this story a.
the narrator delivered it, he could never have
ceased to reproach himself for his want of con.
sideration; for, as have already limited, he was
not of an llberal disposition, but only thought
less
Having satisfied themselves with supper, (for
which Richards promptly paid on the spot) they
once more sailed forth-the wanderer and the
mechanc-and this time bent their steps tow.
ard neighboring store where second hand boots
and shoes were kept for sale After much per.
suasion, the artisan prevailed upon his new
acquaintance to accept a pair of shoes at his
hands, and then insisted on his accompanying
him to his house-whcre he said he had some.
thing to communicate
Arrived at home, momcntary sense of ap
prehension pervaded his honest breast, as he
thought Of the disappointment Of the little one:
who were awaiting his return with that anxiety
which is experienced by all children on Christ
mas Eve But the assurance that he had done
his duty, and done it nell, restored his conf
dence completely, so that, when he introduced
his newly acquired friend to his wondering wife
, and witnessed the well pleased smile with whcl
t she listened to his recital of the evenings oc
currences, he felt more than repaid for all hi
lberaity
Notwithstanding his generous outlay in behal
f of the stranger, he had still little odd chang
e Ieit-so one of the boys was despatched for
: pitcher of ale, and some fresh tobacco and pipe
r with which he and his guest made merry unit
the usual hour for retiring to rest, when RicI
: ards showed him to his sleeping apartment, 9TH
: same as that occupied by the children) and bad
d him cordial good night.
e This, after ALL is the true course of conduc
, and we will venture to say that the poor artisa
l. in his humble dwelling spent far happie
d Christmas Eve than Mr.. Pryce Benedick-su
; rounded as he was by all the Injuries whic
IS wealth can purchase.
Early next mornng-and long before tt
merchant had left his bed-Richards made
If proposal to the stranger to join in his bushes
(Which was that of carver) and preiminari,
being arranged to their mutual satisfaction, I'll
Vt good man made him don suit of his ow