Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-02-11
A Patch on both Knees.

When ! was boy, it was my iorlun, t.
breathe for Ion time, what some writers term
the bracing air Of poverty. Ny mo,her--.h At
lie the turf upon the form which once lncioseG
her sweet and geEtle spint--was what 80 G4..cd
an ambitious woman; iof that qulty winch
overturns thrones and supplns dynls'Ica iiuda
legltl nate sphere IN the hu,nb!est abode til 1t
tIe shadow OF poverty ever darkrnrd.-Ih
struggles between the wish to keep up appcar-
ances and the pnchlng grlpe OF Necessity, pro-
duccd endless SHIFTS and cuDtrivdnc,s, al
which, if told. some would smile, and some. to
whom they would telch their own experience.
" GuId sigh. But let NE not disturb the vel o.
oblivion winch shroGIs from protanr eyes the
hI.lowed mysteries Of poverty.
On one occasion 1t was necessary to s. nj
Inc on an errund to Il nelghbor OF better cir
cLmSances thIn ourselves. and therefore
was desirable that | should be presented in he
best possible aspect. Gre Il pains were accOr
din, y taken to give a smart appearance ~ my
patched and dIlaplda'cd wardrobe and 70 con
cell the ren;s AM chas.ns winch the c.NlJu,
tooth Of time had made IN it and BY way vi
throwing over my equipment sNOr ana
sprink.lny Of gentllty, my red aud toil-harlened
hands we're lucloSeI IN the unlm...A. c-..ug
OF pa.. Of gloves, which had bcioul.l to .lly
her heart was Ii gltcr
sailed tortn on my erranl, a1d on ,Iv way
encountered Il nuch older ana 1 tocr boy, vino
evidently belonged to i l4AA : ~li,i .l.I AL
our own Dragging poverty, and nom U UuI up-
nsing wealth ut spirit. His rags t.rty liut-
tered IN the breeze his hat was constructed
upon III; NEST approved prime pies of yenllH-
tlun aud E.s shoes, from their venerable anti
quity. nj 5ht be eened PAIR Of fossil siut.s--
the very ones III whicn Shem shutil d mo the
ark Tie was an lnpudent ylret. wi'h dare
dew! swagger IN hls gt.! aGd an I'm IS good
as you lcer III his eyes. tne very wnu.p 10
throw dirt at u well dressed hor,euinu because
he was dressed, at a boys RULES because lie
was Clean. As soon Us he lw m,, las eyes
detected the practical Inconsistencies which
characterized my Costume, and takln5 uc by
the shoulder, turning me round with no gpnr'e
hand, and surveying me from head to foot, he
exclaimed, with scosntul laugh, Of ler.slJl.,
pltch on both knees, aAI 4.oyes Vi.
| still recall tine sting of wounded fealing
winch shot through me at thes words. F.
parodlze a celebrated Inc by the Immortal
Tuscan
That day wore the gloves no more that DAY a"
But the lesson, 50 rulely enforced, sank deep
y into my nlnd and IN after life have lad
frequent occasion to make IA practical apphc,-
liOH To the words Ot my ragged friend, wncn
have observed the rdlcuOus Inconsistencies,
winch SO often mark the conduct Of mankind
When for Instance, see parents calefu.iv
providing for the ornamental education of' their
children. furnishing them with teachers o.
music, dlnclng and drawing, but giving NJ
thought to that moral and religious ;rAln.ug
from which the true dignity and permanent
hdp mess of life can come never teacuInr
them habits of selt-sLcr tice aud self -l,clyIInr
and control, but rather by example, iIstluct!n.
lhen IN eVl speaking, in unch,rllub eness il
envy, and IN talshooi, think with Il rh ottie
patch on both knees, and gloves on.
W hen see family in cold, selfish solitude.
not habitually warming their house .til ar,o,
Gthippy faces, but layl.hlng thpt wh,ch could
furnish the hospitality OF whole year upon
the profuSlon OF single night, aln!. OF the
Ptich on both knees, anl gloves on.
When see house pgoluseIy furnished viii,
sumptuouj furniture rich curtains and nyuri.
Gus Carpets, but with no books, or none buta
few tawdry ANNALS, | am reminded Of the
patch on both knees, anl gloves on
When see our pubic men cu.tlyatinr ex-
cluslveIy those qualities winch win wsy to
Office, and neglccung those winch wil qGtity
zen to II honordb!y the posts when the, a.
pre-, | recall the pate. ON both knees, and
gloves on.
When see them slcrhling peace Of mind
una health OF body to the insane purssL IF
wealth, living IN ignorance Of the character ,,f
the children which are growing up arauG them,
cutting themselves 0 / from hd highest and r.r.
est pleasures CT the sacrifices, anl 50 p"ryerlinr
their humanity that that which was sought As a
means lnsensbly comes to he followed rs an
en- say to myself, -, patch on bo;h au.es
and gloves on.n