The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-08-25
WooDsFIELD, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST gl 1852

mere pastime that he thus Whitfield, for ne
was fashioning some curious affair from
those pieces ofwood. He had bits ofwire,
little scraps of tin-plate, pieces OF twine,
and some dozen small wheels that he had
made himself, and he seemed TO be work
ing to get them together after some pecu.
liar fashion of his own.
Half the afternoon had thus passed
away when his sister entered his chamber.
She had her apron gathered up in her
hand, and after closing the door softly be-
hind her, she approached the spot where
her brother sat.
"Here Sammy-see, I have brought you
up something to eat. know you must be
hungry" i
As she spoke, she opened her apron and
took out four cakes, and piece of pie and
cheese. The boy was hungry. and he
hesitated not TO avail himself Of his sisters
kind offer. He kissed her as he took the
cakes, and thanked her.
80, what pretty thing that is you are
making" uttered Fanny, as she gazed up
on the result of her brothers. labors -
"Won't you give it to me after it's done?'
"Not this one. sister," returned the boy,
with smile; shut as soon as | get time |
will make you something equally as pref
ty?"
Fanny thanked her brother, and shortly
afterwards she left the room, and the boy
resumed his work.
At the end of week the various mate
rials that had been subjected to Samuels
jack. knife and pincers had assumed form
and comeliness, and they were jointed and
grooved together in curious combination.
The embryo philosopher set the machine
for it looked something like machine
upon the floor, and then he stood off and
gazed upon ii. His bright eye cleaned
with a peculiar glow Of satisfaction, and
he looked proud and happy. While yet
he stood and gazed upon the child OF his
labor, the door of his chamber was opened
and his father entered
"What-are you not studying?" ex-
claimed Mr.. Winthrop, as he noticed his
boy standing idle in the middle ofthe floor.
Samuel trembled as he heard his faith
er's voice, and turned pale with fear.
"Ha, what is this?' continued Mr.. Win
throp, as he caught sight Of the curious
construction upon the floor. This. then,
| is the secret Of your idleness. Now see
how it is that you cannot master your
studies. You spend your time in making
play-houses and fy-pens. III see. .whelh-
er you'll learn TO attend to your lessons
or not There!"
As the father uttered that simple inter-
lection, he placed his foot upon the object
of his disp pleasure. The boy uttered a
quick cry, and sprang eagerly forward
but he was too late. The curious con.
struction was crushed TO atoms-the labor
of long weeks was utterly gone! The lad
gazed for moment upon the mass OF ruins
and then covering his face with his hands
he bust into tears.
saint you ashamedl" said Mr.. Win
throp, "a great boy like you TO spend you'
time on such clap-traps. and then cry
about it because choose that you should
attend to your studies? Now 60 out te
the barn and help Jerry shell corn
The boy was too full of grief TO make
any explanation, and without word he
left his chamber; but for long days after
wards he was sad and down-hearted.
Samuel" said Mr.. Winthrop. one day
after the spring had opened, 81 have seen
Mr.. Young, and he is willing TO take you
as an apprentice. Jerry and can gel
along on the farm, and | think the bes
thing you can do is to learn the black.
smiths trade. | have given up all hopes
of ever making surveyor Of you; and
you had farm, you wouldn't know how
10 measure it and lay it out Jerry, now
will soon be able to take my place as
surveyor, and have already made ar
rangements for having him sworn, and OBJ
tanning his commission. But your trade
will be good one, however, and ! have
no doubt you will make living at it,"
| Mr.. Young was blacksmith in neigh
boring town, and he carried on quite al
extensive business, and, moreover, he hat
the reputation OF being fine man. Sam
uel was delighted with his fathers propo
sal, and when he learned that Mr.. Youns
also carried on quite large machine
shop he was in ecstaces. His trunk wa
packed-a good supply of clothes having
been provided-and, after shaking hands
with his father and brother. and kissinI
his mother and sister, he mounted tn,
stage and set off for his new destination.
He found Mr.. Young all that he coul,
wish, and he went into his business with al
, assiduity that surprised his master. On
evening, after Samuel Winthrop had beel
with his new master six months, the latte
came into the shop one night after all tn
iourneymen had quit work andgone home
and found the youth busily engaged in Fl
ling piece of iron. There was quite
/ number of pieces laying upon the benc
i by his side, some Of which were curious!.
] riyetted together and fixed with spring
!, | and slides. while others appeared not We