Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-08-19
MIS- G L Ii A N Y !.
TIE Two CARPENTERS:
OR PAsYsTIME REAL AND UNREAL.
A Stretch FOR. MECHANICS.

BY sYLyANUs coBB IR.
Charles Bracket and Ludlow Weston
were apprentices to carpenter by the name
of Jonas White They were nearly of the
same age about nineteen, and they were
both of them Of remarkably good disposition,
and, withaI, VERY punctual at their work
Mr.. White was kind, indulgent man. and
his workmen had no occasion to complain of
his requirements.
Charley said Ludlow Weston, one even
ing after they had closed their labors upon
house th.t Mr. White was erecting, let
US have ride this evening
No rcturned Charles Bracket, as he re-
moved his apron The answer was short,
but yet it vas kindly spoken
Come, do urged Ludlow twill be
beautiful evening, and We can have first
rate time. Won't you 60
cannot, Lud 49,
But, wis p
Because ] am otherwise engaged, and
beside, | have not the money to spare
Never Gind the engagement, but come
along, and ] will pay the expenses
. If ever I join with companion in any
past time that involves pecuniary expense,
l shall always pay my share but this even
ing. Lud, ! have an engagement with my
self
And what can it be, Charleyp
| borrowed a book Of Mr. White, few
days since, and | promised to return it as
soon as | finished it, | desire to do so as
soon as possible, SO must devote this even
ing to reading
And what is the subject, pray q asked
Ludlow
The History of Architecture returned
Charles Bracket
20, bah 1 Such dry stuff as that
It's not dry assure you, Lud'
1T may not be to you, but it is to me
What, porting over architecture all night, af-
ter working hard at it all dayl'
Yes returned Charles because | am
thus enabled 10 learn more of the different
branches of our business
WE'LL said Ludlow, with slight toss of
the head, for my part learn full as much
about the carpenters trade at my work as I
shall ever find use for | don't see the use
after poor fellow has been tied up to NOR
tees, grooves, sills, rafters, sleepers, and
suehImatters. all day long. to drag away the
night in studying the stuff all over again,
All, LUd. replied Charles Bracket, you
don't take the right view of the natter
Every man makes himself honorable in
peculiar business, Just so far as he under
stands that business thoroughly, and applies
himself to its perfection 1t Is not the call
ing or trade that makes the man. but its
the honest enterprise with which that calling
is followed looking about for business
that should give me a support through life,
I hit upon and chose the one in which we
are now engaged, and when | did so / re-
solved that | would make myself useful in
it. We have something besides mere phys
zeal strength to employ and cultivate we
have mind that must labor, and that mind
will labor at something Now, physical la
Dor alone is tedious and unthankful; but
when we combine the mental and physical,
and make them assist each other, then we
find labor source Of comfort
Really. Charley, you are quite philoso-
pher, and | suppose what you say IS true;
bnt then should ike toknow if it don't re-
odire some mental labor to keep up with the
instructions OF cur boss, now ] declare, it
keeps me thinking pretty sharply
That may be- said Charles, but after
all the only hental labor you perform is
,asnofu You only remember Mr. Whites
instructions. and then follow them, and in
50 doing you learn. nothing but the mere
method of doing The work you are engaged
on For instance. you know how long to
make tile rafters of the house we are now
building. and you know how to let them IN
the plates but de you know the philosoPh-
zeal reason for all this Do you know why
You are required to perform your work after
given rules =
II know tl1at ] am 10 do it, and that
when I am of age, I shall be paid for doing
it. and / know how to do it. That is 9,
nough,' answered Ludlow, with much EN-.
phasis.
1t is not enough for me- said Charles ~
Every piece Of mechanism has q science in
its comp position, and wsuld be able to com
prehend that science soastoapply it. perhaps
| to other uses. In short Lud, I would b
master Of my business.
And So would I. tell you, Charley,
balieve I could frame house now
s4fs7