The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-05

! verse, as If they were working up from
! 10" rank Of life to 2 higher.
looked around the room. Il was m
bed room. Every thing in it was perfec
iy neat and orderly, the bed like the cril
WAS excellent but not costly. The whit
eounterpaine did not cost more than te
shillings-yet how beautiful it looked l.
The white window curtains were sbilIin,
muslin; but their folds hung ~ ri .hly a
It they were damask-and how very an
Propriate they seemed The bath, witt
Its snug folding doors, I knew had no
cost, plumbers bin and all, more than te,
dollars. The toilet table, Of All elegan
form, and completely covered, had n,
doubt, was fpine, and cost half dollar
The pictures on the wall were beau,itu
mhographs-better, far better, rifanA OF
Paintings | have In the houses o
mIllionaires; yet they can be bought n,
Mt GoupPs or Williams, or Stevens
tor three to five shiIlings, and n dolla,
apiece had framed them. The floor had
a carpet that matched everything, will,
ITS smalls, neat figure, and light cham
Der color. 1t was jewel Of a room, in
as perfect keeping, in all its parts, rs If an
artest had designed it.
Leaving his little boy to his untroubled
sleep, and giving directions for bath on
lis waking, we went into the other room.
which was differently, hut just MS neatly
arranged. 1t might have answered for n
parlor, (only it had a cooking-stove,) for
''n artists stud.:', or a dining room. It
was hung with pictures-heads, historical
pieces, landscapes; all such man of taste
could select and buy cheap; but which,
like goods books, are invaluable, And
speaking of books, there was a hanging
library on one side of the chimney whicI.
single glance assured me contained the
choicest treasures Of the English tongue.
Inc man went to a bureau, opened
drawer, and took out some money.
What is your fee, Doctor 2" he asked.
holding the bills so as 10 select one to paw
mo.
Now, | had made, up my mind, before
had got halfway up stairs, that might
have to wait for my pay-perhaps never
get it; but all this had changed. could
not, as l often do, inquire into the circum-
stances Of the man, and graduate my price
accordingly. There he stood ready to
pay me, with money enough We, it was
evident that he was working man and
Tar from wealthy. | nothing left but to
name the lowest fee.
."One dollar does not seem enoupb.r
said he. "You have saved the child's
life, and have been at more trouble than
to merely write prescription"
:" DO you work for O living n ! asked.
hoping tn solve tho ---y~A--,-
he smiled and held out his hand which
the unquestionable marks of honest toll.
"You are a mechanic" said /, willing
to know more Of him.
"Take that" he said, placing a two
dollar note in my hand, with a not-to-he-
refused air, " and l will CRAFTY your curl
osity fer there is no use in pretending that
you are not little curi,us
There was hearty, respectful freedom
bout this that was irresistible. put the
note ip my pocket, and the man going tn
n door. opened it into closet Of modern
size, and displayed the bench and tools of
n shoemaker.
You must be an extraordinary work
man." said !. looking around the room
which seemed almost luxurious ; hut wher
looked at each item .ound that it COS
very little.
No, nothing extra" said he, II bare
ly manage to earn little over dollar a
day. Mary helps me some. With the
housewOrk to do, and our boy to look af.
ter, she earns enough to make our wages
average eight dollars a week. We began
with nothing-we live as you See" ..
All this comfort, this rcspectabiity, this
almost luxury for eight dollars week
| expressed my surprise. II should he
very sorry if We spent 50 much," said he.
" We have not only man ,ged to live on
that, but we have something laid up in
the Savings Bank.
"Wili you have the gnodness," said |,
"to explain to me how you do it n
with pleasure" he re, lied: for you
may persuade Others, no better off than
am, to make the best Of Of their situation.
My name is William Carter. My father
died VIII n was young. and was bound
| out an apprentice to a shoemaker, with
Usual provisions % sel'oolins. did as
well as boys do generally at school Us I
was very fond OF reading, made the most
Of my spare time and the advantages OF
the Apprentices Library. Probably the
books that helped me most were the SEN
sible writings Of VIM. Cobbett. Follow
ing his example, I determined to give my
self q useful education, and | have TO some
Il