Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-10-05
The Use of Learning.
BY T. s. ARTHUR,

ing, mensuration, and dozen other things tha
| am expected to learn. They'll never do IN
any good am not going to get my living a
a surveyor, or measurer, or sea-captain.
allow are you going to get your living, Her
bert!" bis friend asked in a quiet tone, rs h
looked up in his face.
"Why, I'm going to learn 4 tradc-or, a
least father says am"
"And so am IT, replied William. "And We
my father wishes me to learn everything tina
can, for he assures me that will be usefu
sometime or other in my life.
| "I'm sure can't see what use I'm ever 90
| ing to make, as sadler of algebra and survey
ing"
"Still if we can't see it, Herbert, perhaps ou,
we are. And we should endeavor to learn sim.
we are expected to study we do not see clear
ly the use"
81 can't feel So" Herbert replied, tossing his
any more clearly than do the use of all this :"
"You are wrong to talk so," his friend said
in serious tone;"I would not think as you do
for the world. Our fathers know what is best
for us, and if we do not confde to them we
will surely 60 wrong.
"Im not afraid" responded Herbert, closing
the book over which he had been poring re-
luctantly for half an hour, in the vain attempt
to fix a lesson on his unwilling memory, and
taking some marbles from his pocket commen.
ced amusing himself with them.
William said no more, but turned to his les
son with earnest attention, The difference in
the character of the two boys is too plainly in-
<oI op
corded 10 need further illustration. To their
teacher it was evident in numerous particulars
in their conduct their habits and their manners
William recited his lesson correctly, while Her
bert never learned his task well. One was al
ways punctual at school.
Thus they began life. The one obedient,
industrious, attentive to the precepts of those
who were older and wiser, and willing to be
guided by them; the other indolent, and inclined
to follow the leadings of mis- own will rather
than the experienced teaching of Others.
As men at the age of thirty-fve, we will
again present them to the reader. Mr. Whee-
Ter is an intelligent merchant in active bust
ness, while Mr.. Allen is a ajourneyman mechan-
ie, poor, in embarrassed circumstance, and pos
sessing but small share of general informa-
ton.
allow do you do, Mr. Allen 2" said the mer-
chant, as he entered the counting room of the
former. The contrast in their appearance was
very great. The merchant was well dressed,
and had cheerful look, while the other was
poorly clad and seemed sad and detected.
4 can't say that do very well, Mr.. Whee-
ler," the mechanic replied, in tone of despon-
dency. "Work is very dull, and wages low,
and with so large family as have, it is tough
enough to get along under the best circum-
Stances"
II am really sorry to hear you say so, Mr..
Allen," replied the merchant, in kind tone
'how much can you earn at present!'
"1f had steady work could earn nine or
ten dollars a week. But our business is very
bad; the subs stitution of steam engines on rail-
roads for horses on turnpikes, has broken in Sc
riously upon the harness.making business.
The consequence is that | do not average six
dollars week the year round."s
"ls it possible that railroads have wrought
such change in your business"
ayes, the harness making branch of it es-
pecially in large cities like this, where the heavy
wagon trade is almost entirely broken up"
"Did YOU say that six dollars week was all
that you could average?"
eyes, sir" .-...
"How large is your family!'
Il have five children, sir"
"Five children and six dollars a week ~
"That is all, sir. But six dollars will not sup
'ort them, and am, in consequence, going
"You ought to try to get into some other bu-
ness"
"But Idont know any other"
The merchant mused for while, and then
aid, "Perhaps can get you into something
'etter. l am president Of newly projected |
abroad company, and we are putting on the
inc company of engineers, for the purpose of
urveying and engineering, and as you studied
hose sciences at school the same time did, /
uppose that you have still correct knowl-
dge of both. will use my influence to have
ou appointed surveyor. The engineer is al
eady appointed, and, at my desire, will give
ou all requisite instructions of those matters.
he salary is one hundred dollars per month.
shadow still darker than that which before
ested there, fell upon the face Of the mechan-
"Alas! sir" he said, Il have not the slight
st knowledge. 1t is true studied it, or rathI.
pretended to study it at school, but it made
permanent impression on my mind. saw
use in it then, and am now as ignoront Of
1rveying as If had never taken lesson on
le subject" |,
Il am very sorry, Mr.. Allen" replied the
erchant, In real concern. "lf you were good
'countant, | might, perhaps, get you into ,
ore. What is your capacity in this respect /" ,
Il ought to have been a good accountant, {
+, for studied mathematics long enough: bnt :
took little interest in figures, and now, al ,
ough was many months at school, pretend
g to study bookkeeping, am utterly incapa- II
e OF taking charge ofa set of books"
aSuch being the case, Mr.. Allen, I really do
It know what lean do with you. But stay !! {
am about sending out an assorted cargo to /
lenos Ayres and thence round to CaIlao, and !
ant man to go to superintend who can sneak ii