The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-11-22
Misfellaneons.
First Spree of the Brickiaycr's Son.
FROM "coSFEssIoSs OF 4 WORKING NAN"


FROM "COSFESSIoHs OF 4 WORKING NAN.
Some of the journeyman Of the work-yard
where was first employed, kept the feast OF
Saint 4Nonday most devontly, and had often
tried to make me do the same. refused at
first without much trouble. The recollections
Of the Barrier wine shops were not too lnvl-
ting; but they attacked me by bantering me !;
they declared that was afraid of being whip
ped by my mother; that was not yet wean-
ed, and that brandy would burn my throat.
These jokes pqued me. Iwished to prove that
| was no longer a child, by acting btdIy as a
man. On day following that of payment,
when still had my fortnights money they
dragged me beyond the Barrier, aud stayed
there until everything had passed out of my
pocket into the till of the wine seller. Sunday
and Monday were spent in this long debauch.
l came back the evening of the second day,
without hat, covered with mud, and stagger
ing along the walls of the faubourg. My moth
er did not know what had become OF me, aud
thought was hurt, or dead she had looked
for me at first at the Morgue, and then at the
hospital | found her with Maurice, who was
trying to comfort her. At the sight Of me her
measiness vanished but not her trouble. To
the first delight of finding me again, followed
the grief of seeing me in such state. 10 la
menta,ions succeeded reproaches. | WAS so
drunk that could hardly hear, and could not
understand any thing. The tone Of her voice
alone showed me she was rcproving me. Like
most drunkardS was vain-glorious when in.
toxicated; aud | considered myself for the
time one of The kings Of the earth. | replied
by enjoinng silence to the good woman, and
declaring that would hencrforth live accord
ing to my own fancy, and no longer be tied to
herapron. strings. My mother raised her voice;
| exclaimed louder; and the quarrel WAS grow
ing worse, when father Maurice parled the fray.
lie declared that this was not the time to talk,
and made me go to bed without a word. |
slept without moving until the next morning
When opened my eyes very early. l rccollrct-
ed all that happened, and felt Il little shaule,
mixed with much perplexity. Seifl"ve, how
ever, hindered my repenting. Surely, | was
master of the money gained by my industry.
might spend my time as liked, nobody had
right to find fault with me; and resolved to
cut short all remarks My mother alone made
me uneasy. got up softly, wishing to avoid
her reproachcs, and set of without seeing her.
When arrived at the work yard, found the
Others already at work but they did not seem
to notice me. began to roug hwall careless
ly, and in bad humor. The two days of de-
bauch had taken the spirit for work out Of me-
Besides, felt an inward shame which hid be-
meath bravado air. | listened to what the
journeymen were saying, constantly fearing to
hear some joke, or some vexatious remark at
ny expense. When the master came, | pre-
tended not to see him, for fear he should ask
me the reason Of my absence the evening he
fore. | had 'ost the good conscience which
formerly could make me look the world in the
face. | now felt that had something in my
life to hide. Those who had carried me off
to the Barrier were not yet returned the mas.
ter noticed this. " 1t is SORT Of weakness
they have" said the wag of the work yard !;
&: when they chance to work, they swallow So
much mortar that they require at least three
days of Argenteui wine to rince their throats." !"
All the journeymen began to laugh; but it
seemed to me that there was q sort of con-
tempt in their laughter. | blushed involunta.
ry, as if the joke had been meant for me. All
new as was in Irregularities still felt shame
at them. The day passed thus sadly enough.
The sort of uneasness felt all over my body,
extended to my mind was tired inside and
outside. Whilst we had been working, father
Maurice had not said word to me but when
it was time to 20, he came to me, aud said we
would walk together. As he lodged at the
other end of Paris, asked him if he had any
business in our quarter. You will see" he
replied, "shortly." Twas going my usual road,
but he made me take other streets, without
telling me why, until we arrived before house
in the faubourgSt Martin. There he stopped.
"Do you see in this building" said he, " the
high chimney which rises near the gable end,
and which call Jerome's Chimney? 1t was
there your father was killcdT' | shuddered
deeply, and looked at the fatal chimney with
a sort Of horror mixed with anger. g Ah it
is there" repeated |, in a trembling voice ::
"you were there were you not, father Maurce!"
81 was" "And how did it happens s' cit
was neither the fault of the building nor of the
work, replied Maurice. rhescatloIding was
well fxed-from the Barrier-his sight was
confused-he no longer knew where to place
his steps; he took empty space for a plank,
and was killed without plea for excuse"
felt the blood mount into my face, and my
heart beat quicker. Father jerome was IL
valiant workman" continued Maurice, if
drunkenness had not ruined him. by long sit.
ting at table at the wine. sellers he left there
his strength, his skill and his mind. But, bah
one lives but once, as the saying is; one may
then be allowed to amuse ones self before
ones burial. If at some future time ones wi
dow and orphans are cold and hungry, they
NAV 60 to the poor house and blow their fin
gers. Is not this your opinion, tell me ~