Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-10-07
4 PATCH ON BOTH KNEES.

The following is one of the cleverest
essays we have met with for many day.
Similar in style, it is not Inferior to Frank
Inns best: ,#... . ...
When was boy, ii was my fortune
TO breathe, for long time, what some
writers term the bracing air of poverty.
My moiher-light lie the turf upon the
form which once enclosed her sweet and
gentle spirl-was what is called an am
bilious woman; for that quality which o.
verturns thrones and supplants Gynas-
ties, finds a legitimate sphere in the hum
blest abode that the shadow of poverty
ever darkened. The struggle between
the wish to keep up appearances and the
punching grippe of necessity, produced
endless shifts and contrivances, at which,
we are told, some would smile, and some
TO whom they would teach their own ex-
perience would sigh. But let me not
disturb the oblivion which shrouds from
profane eyes the hallowed mysteries of
poverty.
On one occasion, it was necessary to
send me on an errand 10 neighbor in
better circumstances than ourselves;
and therefore, it vas necessary that
should be presented in the best possible
aspect. Great pains were accordingly
taken 10 givea smart appearance to my
patched and dilapidated wardrobe, and TO
conceal rents and chasms which the en-
sious tooth Of time had made in them;
and by way Of throwing over my equip
ment certain SAVIOR and sprinkling OF
gen,ility, my red and toll hardened hands
were enclosed 10 the unfamiliar casing
of a pair of gloves, which had belonged
10 my mother in days when her years
were fewer and her heart was lighter.
Isallied forth on my errand, aud on ny
way encountered much older and big
er boy, who evidently belonged to fam
lily which had all our own dragging pow
eriy, and none Of our uprising wealth OF
spirit. His rags fairly fuitered in the
breeze; and his hat was constructed upon
the mos. approved principle of ventila
ton, and his shoes, from their venerable
antiquity, might have been deemed
pair of fossil shoes--the very ones in
which Shem shufflcd into the ark. He
was an impuden, varlet, with dare dew
il swagger in his gait, and an Pm as
good as you" leer in his eye-,he very
whelp TO throw dirt 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 shoulder, turning me
round with no gentle hand, and survey
ing me from head to foot, exclaimed, with
scornful laugh Of derision, IA patch on
both knees, and gioves onr'
sill recall the Of sting wounded feel
ings which shot through me at these
words. TO parody celebrated line by
the immortal Tuscan,
THAT day ! wore my gloves no more"
But the lesson, so rudeIy enforced,
sunk deep into my mind; and,in after life,
have had frequent occasions to make
Piueuoai oPPiCduoH VI vic WOrGS oil
my ragged Trend, when have observed
the ridiculous Inconsistencies which SO
often mark the conduct of mankind.
When. for instance, see parents care
fully providing for the ornamental edu-
cation Of their children, furnishing
them teachers in music, dancing and
drawing, but giving no thought 10 that
moral and religious training. from which
The true dignity and permanent happi-
ness of life can come, never teaching
them habits of self-sacrifice and self-dis.
cipline and control, but rather, by ex.
ample, instructing them in evil speak
ing. in observation-disclosures, in envy, and in
falsehood, think, with sigh, of The
patch on both knees and gloves on.
When see family in cold, selfish
solitude, not habi,ually warming their
houses with glow of happy faces, but
lavishing that which could furnish the
hospitality Of whole year, upon the
r,oinaiOn of a single night, think of