True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-11-03
z. Raglan, Editor and Proprietor,

him--if he could. Several days elapsed
before Is courage rose high enough
to enable him to send the deadly missive
by the hand of friend.
Meantime wag Of fellow, an init.
mate friend Of Briarly's appeared in
Market Street in an old rusty coat, worn
hat, and we'll mended but clean and whole
trousers and vest. Friend after friend
stopped him, and, in astonis hment, in
quired the canse of this change. He
had but one answer in substance. But
We, will give our own account of the
matter, as related to three or four young
bucks in an oyster house, where they
happened to meet him. l., was
Of the number.
ga patch on your elbow, Tom, as l
live said one. And here's another on
your vest. Why old fellow this is pre-
meditated poverty"
"Better wear patched garments than
owe for new ones," replied Tom with
great sobriety.
BLESS US when did you turn econo.
mist 7"
Ever since | tried to be gentleman. :"
| What?"
I" Ever since | tried 10 be gentleman.
| may strut up and down Market Street
in fine clothes, switch my rattan about,
talk nonsense to silly ladies, swear and
drink wine; but if | don't pay my tai
lor, I'm no gentleman"
"Nonsense ~ was replied. There
was general laugh, but few Of Toms
auditors felt very much flattered by his
words.
No nonsense at ALL" he said, we
may put on airs Of gentility, boast of in
dependence and spirit, and all that, but il
is mean kind Of gentility that will lei
man flourish about in a fine coat for
which he owes his tailor. Wyville has a
large bill against me for clothes, Grafton
another for boots, and Cox another for
hats, / am trying to pay these off
trying to become gentleman"
"Then you don't consider yourself a
gentleman now |" fl
"Oh no I'm only trying to become q
gentleman" meekly replied Tom, though
a close observer could see slight witch
ing in the corner of his mouth, and a
slight twinkle in the corner of his eye
My honor is in pawn, and will remain SC
until | pay these bills. Then / shall fee
like holding up my head again, and look
| ing gentlemen in the face"
| The oddness Of this conceit, and the
boldness with which il was carried ou
attracted attention, and made good dea
Of talk at the time. A great MANY tai
lor's bills were paid instanter, that would
not'have been paid for months; perhaps
not at all.
In few days, however, Tom appeared
abroad again, quite as handsomely dress
ed as before, alledging that his uncle hat
taken compassion on him and out of ad
miration for his honest principles, paid Of
his bills and made a gentleman of hin
once more.
| No one, of course, believed Tom to b
sincere in all this. 1t was looked upol
as one Of the waggish tricks, intended Il
hit some one, or perhaps the whole clas
Of fine tailor made gentlemen who forge
their benefactors.
While Tom was metamorphosed a
; stated, Briarly was waited upon one da
by young man, who presented him wit
a challenge to mortal combat from the in
, suited L., and desired him to nam
his friend.
II cannot accept the challenge" sal
. Briarly promptly.
"Why not 7" asked the second Of L
, in surprise
, "Because your priuciple is no gentle
man."
What"
"Is no gentleman" coolly returne
o Briarly. aA
"Explain yourself, sir, il you please.
"He doesn't pay his ,ailor-he doesn
pay his boot-maker-he doesn't pay hi
hatter--he is therefore no gentleman, an
!, I cannot fight him."
"You will be posted as coward
y said the second fercely.
|, "In return for which | will post hir
. no gentleman, and give the evidence,
replied Briarly.
"Iwill take his place. You will hea
), from me shortly" said the second turr
a ing away.
ifl "Be sure you don't owe your tailt
Q anything, for if you do ] will not stoop
accept your challenge" returned Briarl,
d Twill consider it prima Jacie eviden'
i. that you are no gentleman. I kno
!. Patterson very well, and will in the mes
% time inform myself on the subject.
}. All this was said with the utmost gra
Iity and with a decision Of tone an
al manner tina. left no doubt Of the intel
O. tion.
+ The second withdrew. An ho,
eEelapsed but no new challenge came.-
d Days went by, but no posters Dire
'dl crowds at the corners. Gradually q