American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-08-29
From the Boston Transcript
JUDGE NO MAN BY HIS COAT

SODSS 4NO NAH4N u LAAO IVA
Mr.. EditoE-Finding that previous piece
under this caption has attracted some atteR-
ton, and hoping to lead people TO Judge men
less by appearances than by real worth, ! ven
ture to offer you the following, which is strict
ly true as was the other anecdoto Few cities
are more free from the error complained Of
than our own, but we need the monition ne
VeTtheless, and you will not injure either your
self or your readers by conveying it through
your columns:
Whilst sitting in my store few days since,
/ observed the entrance Of person whose face
| instantly recognized as having seen before
He was young man about twenty-eight or
thirty years faye, well made, Of an expressive
and intelligent countenance, and quick, active
and graceful in every motion. In all respects
he was elegantly dressed; and besides his fine
linen and bToadcloth, he wore a massive ring on
the second finger of his left hand, three bril-
last studs in his shirt bosom, and long gold
chain about his neck suspendlng a costly watch.
He would probably have been taken for good
specimen Of a Southerne-, and as far as out
ward appearances were concerned, he seemed to
be one whose company might be courted, and
who would receive through life proper defer
ence and respect Very soon there entered the
same store three persons whose appearance
formed strong contrast TO that Of the person
age Just described. They were blacksmiths,
partners in business, and came direct from their
work. Il was at the edge OF very sultTy even
ing, and they were covered with smut, dust and
pefspration. Their hands were hard and rough
his were delicate and smooth; their steps were
heavy and ungracefnl-his gentle and easy
awe Called said one Of them, ITO pay our
bill. Il is most a month since we had the
goods, and we began to think you might be a.
larmed about it," The bill was presented to
them, and out came the old, time-w worn wallet
the dollars were laid down, odd cents and all
and was thanked DER and o'eragain for wait
ing payment. OFF they went with the same
heavy tramp, 10 pay more bills and then 10
sleep, and TO return on the morrow 10 their
hard work, proud to be able thus to provide
| honestly and comfortably for their families At
| the same time our well dressed hero moved
gracefully away-and what to do? That's the
! question Was it TO pursue an honest calling'
| To pay his honest debts? Not he. A short
time ago, there was in the States Prison at
Charlestown, a man precisely like him with The
exception of his dress. The same man was
there except what the tailor had since done for
him. How think you he lives? By honest la
| boz? Whence that ring, those studs, that
/
came out ofprison year ago or more, and GER
tainly be did not get lar-e salary for his three
years labor there, neither would the four dol
lars 90 far which he received on discharge day
| Nov would or would not this person be more
noticed and respectfully the ladies' partcu-
| larly-at fashionable hotel, watering place,
in the steamboat OF cars, or wherever chance
might throw him, than the honest blacksmiths?
But, should ii be so? Reader, woman or man,
reflect upon this well. Learn to respect per-
sons for true worth only, and show the idle
dandy who prowls upon the public and lives by
chance, that good coat or q fashionable ex-
terror will not cover his evil deeds Remem-
Der that there is more safety in taking hand
that bears upon it marks of honest labor, than
a soft and white one belonging to a man,
''whose income is confined" Oh, how il
makes ones heart bleed to reflect upon the sor-
row, anguish and broken hearts caused by these
wretched creatures. Such characters as have
described in this noted idler are not rare, and
their deceptive appearances are ever imposing
upon humanity. Mothers, fathers, daughters
be not deceived. Look into facts before you
admit the well dressed stranger TO the civities
of your homes, and thus not only escape morti-
fed feelings, but perchance broken spirit, and
il may be an early grave.