Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-03-28
CHOOSING A PROCESSION;
Or, the broken down Minister.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.

sePh Broadley, an intelligent boy of ht'
teen, as he pointed his friend to perfect
model of fore-andTaft schooner, which
he had just completed.
The miniature vessel stood upon the
work bench in his fathers shop. The
finishing touches had Just been given to
work, and the young artizan surveyed his
work with conscious delight.
"She is beautiful, isn't she, Joe FL
wish could do that, said John Emerson.
perhaps you could, if you only tried.
1t has taken me nearly all winter to do it.
Do you know, John, that mean to be a
ship carpenter 90 and the eye of the boy
kindled with an aspiration of future dis
tinction as he adjusted the gaff of the
model.
Il should like to be one, too; but
know my mother would never consent" !"
"Who not 90
"She says shall be minister"
"You parson, John ?''
81 have no fancy for it,
"Then l certainly wouldn't do it. !
don't think would but my mother
would not want me to be anything dis.
like. l am sure I could never make a
parson."
" Nor either, but mother says can. -
"You must reason her out of it,
'.How 90
"Show her what you can do. Make a
boat as l have done. I am sure you can
make as good one as this"
81 will make a ship-that would be
more difficult still am sure l could
make one - and there was something in
the eye of John Emerson which showed
he had the energy to accomplish almost
anything he should undertake.
Good l like your spunk. You shall
work in my fathers shop, and you need
not tell any one what you are doing, SO
that when you get it done your father and
nz1ther will be surprised"
"l'll do it, Joe y exclaimed John,
clapping his hands. "I'l show them
what there is in me, at any rate
"BravO and after dinner we will go
down to the saw mil and pick out los
for the hull"
The plan was agreed to, and before
night the log was in the shop. and some
progress was made in shaping it into the
required form. But the task was not an
easy one, and more than once the young
mechanic was obliged to leave the shop
and so down to the wharf to study the
build of real ship.
Joseph Broadley encouraged his friend
and the work went on bravely. Though
John had projected an enterprise which, il
successfully accomplished, would eclipse
his own labors. he was not envious or ILL
natured, and did all he could to assist his
young friend, without d DING anything that
would rob him of the credit of his work
We have not space to mention all the
trials and difficulties which beset the em-
bryo ship builder; but at the expiration
of six months, having devoted all his spare
time from school to the work, the ship
was completed. There were plenty ol
critics at hand, men acquainted with eve.
ry timber and every rope in the ship, and
their Judgment was decidedly favorable
Every body that knew anything about
ships pronounced the young man to be a
genius, and said that he would make q
mark upoa The world.
When everything was ready, the model
ship was placed upon little wagon and
drawn over to Joha's house.
His father and mother were summoned
to view che handiwork of their son. Mrs
Emerson was in exStacies, and Mr. Emer-
son rubbed his hands with delight.
Now, mother, what do you think ol
my talent for building 90 said John
as he5pOinted triumphantly to the work
of his hands with delight.
"It is very pretty, isn't it, husband o.
CHOW, mother am going to be ship.
builder p
"a ship buiIder!' exclaimed the fond
mother. with evident horror.
eyes mother, Captain Smith has offer.
ed to take me as an apprentice"
''Nay but my son, you know wan
I you to be minister. You must be rea
dy to enter the college in year o.
more
Don't bother the boy. wife, let hin
be ship-builder if he wants to. Yo.
see he has talent as we'll as an inclina
ton that way" said Mr. Emerson, as h,
went into the house again, followed BY
his wife.
} John slowed the ship in the back room
! and joined the family circle.
| 81 have set my heart on making min
J lister of him. 1t is much more respecta
r BILE than carpenter, or anything Of tina
: Sort" continued Mrs. Emerson.
"Pooh T. interPosed the husband, witt
contuous sneer.
; "You needn't pooh me, Mr. Emerson
You know that minister is better than
t carpenter"
mo. don't. entirely dissent frOr
! your view Of the subject. | think me
chanic quite as good as Parsou and
am perfectly satisfied that many mechar
? les are much better. more rsspectabl,
r and more useful members of society tia
!, some ministers could mention"
g "There it is again If you had 20,
gay we should have no preaching, ar
the world would go back into hsathenis