The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-09-22
THE Two CARPENTERS.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.

't" BY SYLVANUS COBB, Jk.
Charles Bracket and Ludlow Weston
were apprentices to q carpenter by the
name of Jones White. They were nearly
of the same age-about nineteen and they
were both of them Of remarkable good dis
position, and withal. very punctual at their
work. Mr. White was a kind, indulgent
man, and his workmen had no occasion
to complain of his requirements.
Charley" said Ludlow Weston, one
evening after they had closed their labor,
upon a house that Mr.. White was erect
ing. ..let US have ride this evening"
mo" returned Charles Bracket. as he
removed his apron. The answer was
short, but yet it was kindly spoken.
.sCome, do" urged Ludlow. ut will
bs a beautiful evening and we can have a
firstra,e time. Wont you go!"
81 cannot, Lud."
..But whyl"
"Because am otherwise engaged, and
besdes | haven't the money to spare"
"Never mind the engagement, but come
along and will pay the expenses"
III ever join with a companion in any
pastime that involves pecuniary expense,
shall always pay my share; but this
evening, Lud, have an engagement with
myself"
"And what can it be, Charley!"
~ borrowed a book Of Mr.. White, a
few DAYS since, and as have not finished
il. | desire to do so as soon as possible,
so must devote this evening 20 reading"
sand what is the subject, pray!" asked
Ludlow.
1.-The History of Architecture" returned
Charles Bracket
20, bah! Such dry stuff as thatl"
.It's not dry; | assure you Lud."
..lt may not be to you. but is to me-
What, poring over architecture all night
while working hard at it all dayP
"Yes," returned Charles; "because |
am thus enabled to learn more Of the diff.
ferent branches Of our business"
SWELL" said Ludlow, with slight toss
of the head. for my part learn full as
much about the carpenters trade at nv
work as shall ever find use for. don't
see the use, after poor fellow has been
tied up to mortices, grooves, sills, rafters,
slsepsrs, and such matters, all day long.
to dry away the night in studying the stuff
all over again."
"Ah Lud," replied Charles Bracket,
"you don't take the right view Of the mat
ter. Every man makes himself honorable
in peculiar business, just so far as he
understands that business, thoroughly, and
applies himself to its perfection. II is not
the calling or trade that makes the man
but its the honest enterprise with which
that calling is followed. In looking about
for a business that should give me support
through life. hit upon and chose the one
in which we are now both engaged. and
when | did so. resolved that | would
make myself useful in it. We have some-
thing besides mere physical strength to en-
ploy and cultivate: we have mind that
must labor al something. NowphysicaI
labor alone is tedious and unthankful, bu,
when we combine the mental and physical,
and make them assist each other, then we
find labor a source Of comfort"
"Really, Charley, you are quite phi.
iosopher, and | suppose what you say is
true; but then | should like to know if it
don't require some mental labor to keep
up with the instructions OF our boss now?
l declare it keeps me thinking pretty
sharply" stA,
"That may be-" said Charles; but after
al! the only mental labor you perform is
memory. You only remember Mr..
Whites instructions, and then follow them,
and in 90 doing you learn nothing but the
mere method Of doing the work yoI are
engaged on. For instance you know how
long to make the rafters Of the house we
are now building, and you know how to
lot them into the plates; but do you know
the philosophical reason Of all this? Do