The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-01-02
The Use Of Learning.
BY T. 8. ARTHUR.

I'm tired Of going to school, said Her
her, Allen to William Wheeler, the bo,
who sa, next to him. don't see any grea,
use for my part. 10 stud>i ing geometry, and
navigation and surveying and mensura'ion
and a dozen other things am expected e
learn, they'll never do me any good.
am not going TO get my living as survey.
or, or mcasurer, or sen captain.
How are you going to get your living,
Herbert? bis young friend asked in a
quiet tone, as he looked up in his face.
Why, I'm going TO learn trade; or, at
least, in,her says that nm.
And so am !, replied William. And vet,
nv father wishes me to learn everything
lha, can, for he assures me that il will be
useful some time in my life.
I'm sure can't see what use I'm ever
going to make, as saddler, Of algebra and
surveying.
Still il we can't see it, Herbert, perhaps
our fathers can for they are older and wis
er than we are. And we should endeavor
10 lenrn simply because they wish US 10, II
in everything we are expected to study, we
do no, see clearly the use.
can't feel 50. Herbert replied, tossing
his head, | don't believe that my father
sees any more clearly than ! do, the use Of
all this.
You are wrong TO talk SO, his friend
said in serious tone; would not think as
Won do for the world. Our fathers know
what is best for us, and five do not confide
-
lam not afraid, responded Herbert, clos
ing the book over which he had been peru
sing reluctantly for hall an hour, in the vain
attempt 10 fix lesson on his unwilling
memory and taking some marbles from his
pocket commenced amusing himself with
them.
William said no more, but turned to his
lesson with earnest attention. The differ
ence in the character Of the two boys is too
plainly indicated in the brief conversation
we have recorded, TO need further illusira.
ton. To thoir teacher it was evident, IN
numerous particulars in their conduct, their
habits and manners. William recited his
lessons correctly, while Herbert never
learned task well. One was always
pupctual al school, the other loiterer BY
the wav. Williams books weretaken care
of; Herber,'s soiled, torn, disfgured and
broken externally and internally.
Thus they began life. The one obed''
ent. industrious, attentive to the precepts
Of those who we're older and wiser. and
willing to be guided by them; the other IN
dolen,, and inclined to follow the leadIngs
or his own will rather than the moro exper
fenced teachings Of others.
A. men at the ago ofthirty Eve, We vii
again present them 10 the reader. Mr
Wheeler is an intelligent merchant IN ac'
tive business, while Mr.. Allen is journey
man mechanic, poor, in embarrassed c'rcum
stances, and possessing but small share o
general information.
How do you do, Mr.. Allen? said the
merchant. as he entered the counting room
Of the former. The contrast in their ap
pearnnce wns very great. Tho merchan'
was we'll dressed, and had cheerful look
while the other was poorly clad, and seem
ed sad and detected.
cnn't say that do very we'll, MT
Wheeler, the mechanic replied in tone OF
despondencv. Work is very dull, and with
so large a family as | have, il is tough
enough to get along under the best c'rcum'
sta nces.
| am really sorry TO hear you say 90,
Mr.. Allen, replied the merchant ia kind