M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-03-09

commenced whiting. 1t was not Tor
mere paslime that he Whitfield, for he
was fashioning some curious affair
from these peices Of wood. He had
bits of wire, little scraps of tin plate,
pieces oftw inc, and dozens of small
wheels that he made himself, and he
seemed to be working to get them to.
gether after some peculiar fashion Of
his own.
Half the afternoon had thus passed
ay,when his sister entered his cham.
Der. She had her apron gathered up:
in her hand, and alter closing the door
softly behind her, she approached the
spot where her brother sat.
Here, Sammy-see, / have brought
you something to eat, | know you
must be hungry.
As she spoke, she opened her apron,
took out four cakes and piece of pie
and cheese. The boy was hungry,
and he hesitated MOTTO avail himself OF
his sisters kind offer. He kissed her
as he took the cakes, and thanked her.
'Oh, what a pretty thing that is you
are maklngP uttered FGnny, as she
gazed upon the result Of her brothers
abors. Wont you give it to me after
it is done2'
Not this one, sister, returned the
boy, with a smile; but as soon as get
time | will make you one equally as
pretty
Fanny thanked her brother, and
shortly afterwards left the room, aud
the boy resumed his work.
AT the end Of the week, the various
materials that had been subject to Sam
uel'S iack-knife and pinchers had as
sumed form and comeliness, and they
were jointed and grooved together in a
curious combination.
The embryo philosopher set the ma
chine-for it looked much like ma
chine-upon the floor, and then stood
off and gazed upon it. His eyes CLEAN
ed with peculiar glow Of satisfac-
tion, and he looked proud and happy.
While yet he stood and gazed upon the
child ofhis labors, the door the cham
ber opened, and his father entered.
Nhat-are YOU not studyingP ex-
claimed Mr.. Winthrop, as he noticed
the boy standing in the middle Of the
floor.
Samuel trembled when he heard his
fathers voice, and he turned pale with
fear.
'Ha, what is this?' said Mr.. Win
throp, as he caught sight Of the curious
construction on the floor. 'This is the
secret OF your idleness. Now | see
how ii is that you cannot master your
studies. You spend your time in mas
king playhouses and fly-pens. Ill see
whether you'll learn to attend to your
lesson or not. There
As the father uttered that common
injunction, he placed his foot upon the
oLJecI OF his displeasure. The boy
uttered quick cry, ,and sprang forward,
but too late. The curious construction
was crushed to atoms-the labor OF
long weeks. Looking upon the mass
of ruins, and then covering his face
with his hands he burst into tears.
'Ain't you ashamed?' said Mr.. Win
throp; "a great boy like you to spend
your time on such clap-traps, and then
cry about it, because choose that you
attend to your studies. Now go out
10 the barn and help Jerry shell COIN
The boy was too full of grief to
make any explanation, and without a
word he left his chamber; but for long
days afterwards he was sad and down
hearted.
Samuel said Mr.. Winthrop one
day after the spring had opened, q
have seen Mr.. Young, and he is wil>
ling to take you as an apprentice. Jer.
ry and | can get along on the farm,
and think the best thing you can do
is to learn the blacksmith'S trade.
have given up all hopes OF ever ma
king a surveyor out OF you, and if you
had farm you would not know how
to measure 1t or lay it out. Jerry will
now soon be able to take my place as
surveyor, and have already made ar
rangements for having him sworn and
obtaining his commission. But your
trade is good one, however, and
have no doubt you will be able 10 make
a living at it,
MIR. Young was blacksmith in a
neighboring town, and he carried on
quite an extensive business, and more
over, he had tue reputation of being a
fine man. Samuel was delighted with
his fathers proposals, and when he
learned that Mr.. Young also carried on
quite large machine shop, he was in
ecstacies. His trunk was packed-a
good supply of clothes having been
provided; and after kissing his mother
and sister, and shaking hands with his
father and brother, he mounted the stage
and set off for his new destination.
He found Mr. Young all he could
wislr and went into his business with
an assiduity that surprised his master.
One evening, alter Samuel Winthrop
had been with his new master six
months, the latter came into the shop
after all the iourneYmen had omit work