Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-08-27
\ 5turp for the Gables.
THE MECHANICS REFUSAL.
BY RALPH RINGwooD.

Russell C. was a young mechanic Of
promising expectations. He had acquired
a competent knowledge of his trade, and
at the time of which write had just attain
ed his majority, having "graduated" from
his employers shop with the highest hon.
ors.
He had established little workshop Of
his own and commenced his career with
bright anticipations of future success. He
possessed but little capital, though his Gre
dit was good for any amount. His word
could be relied upon, and bis credit once
pledged was always redeemed at the stipu-
lated time. He had acquired the habit of
rigid punctuality, and would never suffer
others 10 keep him in waiting, nor would
be inconvenience them to wait for him.
His strict iulfilment Of engagements gave
him a good reputation among business
men, and such good reputation is invalu-
able to young man entering upon life
of business with small capital on which
TO rest his hopes.
Russell G. had been at work during the
week at his little shop, and had scarcely
taken time 10 breathe. Saturday night had
slowly come around again, and ashe closed
his shutters preparatory TO leaving for his
boarding-house, half formed resolution to
attend the slnging-school came up in his
mind, and while he was rejecting upon il
he passed the residence Of a wealthy mer-
chant, and glancing at the parlor window,
he observed the pretty face of Ellen May,
a slight acquaintance of his-which cir
cumstance decided the question.
H we'll knew that Ellen May would be
present; as she was in the habit of pune
tual attendance upon the evening meetings
of the choir, of which she was a member.
Reader, remember that this happened in
sour village" and fashion here allows the
wealthy as we'll as the poor the privilege
of singing in the church choir, and as tha,
wonderful body was composed Of men les:
talented than Paganini-why of course re-
hearsals became necessary, or else the dig
nitv of the old Deacon down stairs would
be distul bed by the discord OF some not
"attendipg TO harmony divine"
Russ-l hastily despatched his landlady''
provisions, and made his toilet in the most
approved styles.
The new bell OF the village church be.
gan to ring the modern ''fre alarm fashion,
as the signal for the singing-school, and
away went our hero atilred in his best "blt
aud tucker" The chorister, noted char
acter of our village, arrived in due season
and after an indefinite amount of Scraping
squeaking, screwing and re-screwing OF ;
certain old black fiddle of his, the singing
commenced. Three hours of incessan
screeching rendered all parties interested
sufficiently fatigued TO permit an adjourn
, ment.
AS the girls crowded together in the en-
try, preparatory to pushing their way
through the door, one could see constel
lation of bright eyes, and hear combina
/ ton of sweet sounds that set our chorister'
highest and most sublime musical attempt
very far in the background; and ther
such lips as could be seen in tha. GROVE
sometlmes-ah it makes my heart bea
strangely fast TO think of those kisses w
used TO steal when we were young, ant
waited upon the sweet little Haity, ant
| she, the ugly thing, afterwards Tilted u.s.
But my memory wanders.
, Russell C. politely offered his arm AM
: company to Ellen May, and met decide
and insulting refusal. She would not trou
BILE mechanic for an escort.
The young man turned look OF min
/. eled pity and contempt upon her, an
thanked God that he was honest and hon
ored enough to be mechanic. l hear
the taunting reply of the spirited girl
!. she took the young physicians offered arm
and began to fear lest the an'i-mechanic'
fever should spread among the angels, an
, finally result in my Hatty's changing he
mind, in regard to my pointed dlstresse
and sure enough before many days recs
we'd polite invitation to be engaged els,
where about the usual time oi my weekl
visit to Squire Smiths.
:. Soon afterwards left the village, an
was absent about twenty years. i oite
thought Of the village msidens durirg IN