Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1860-11-02
MI s c l. l. l. A N Y .
THE AMATEUR MECHANIC.

Jack Crawford was very odd sort OF a
fellow. lIo took particular delight In dis
guiscs, romancc', mysteries, and sdveniurcs
generally. Therefore, he was continually
getting into scrape. OF all kinds and nat
urally enough there was always "alady l..
the case"
This made him little misoeamieal-a
mild sort Of woman.haicr. Yet, for all
that, somehow. he could never let the ser
alone.
A profound love Of Nature and jolly times
led Jack and myself 10 the pretty village OF
St blossom, one summer. We wenttc fish,
TO sketch. TO see the scenery. and perhaps,
to drink the waters OF the springs there
for, a. Jack remarked, "they posses re-
euliArly refreshing qualitiss-when mixed
with little cognac."
The morning Of the third day OF our 80.
jpurn found u. seated upon a howery slope,
.kirtcd by pollari.willows, whOsc gnnrlei
roots were bathed by the clear waters Of q
stream tha, emp,icd into the bay. We had
sou sht the spot to smoke an Aitcr'breakia't
cigar. and to indulge in a quiet chat, with
the lcautrs Of Nature before our eyes.
Women what an lnexhaustible subec,
Tor contemplation, for conversation. for
writing, and for ma,rimony
"It sail CANNON, 4" said Jack, "Nomen
don't appreciate cultivation, intellect, nor
good fellowship, Al they look for Is
wealth aud position. even when they are In
love. II they don't End those AmAblc at.
tributes. they won, love At all, generally (;
aud ia fellow ha'n't 50, them, he'd better
lc, the scI alone"
"a. YOU doI'
That's neither here nor there, takes
a eildcd key to unlock their precious little
hearts. That's 90"
=" You are sadly mistaken, Jack AMI the
worst Of il i, you knoS IL. You are angry
with the husband hunters who have given
you chase - long. and revenge yourself by
a.,ailins the Institution Of dimiiy. You
arc all wrong. A fellow like you, young,
rich. aud-well. yes. think may say
,olcrably good.lookins-hs no chance to
50, women Ia their true color The modes,
ones DO not care to compete with the Dc.
signing ones, who are bound 10 marry your
bank.account in spite Of yourseli, and -
play Oh their charm, upon YOU, al Hal'.
San
bat are there any Ar,les, ones, who
don't wan, money above all things !
hardly think it,"
That. because you never find them
crowdins about you. Only the braren.
faced for,une.hun,ers DO shat, and they have
accustomed you to being sought. The real
ly good girls require seeking and as tha,
isn't in your line. you never knew how
many nice women there are in the world.
Jack started up.
"I'll tell you what III Do" cried he,
aiusins his ciesr.end into the stream "l'll
tc-i the question III test /, here in this
very place. III ignore my money, turn
mechanic, make love to the prc,,ie.,, proud.
est girl IN the village. and show you that
she won't have the on any terms. Then
IN come on, in my own character, and
prove tha, cash and family are pui'.ant to
accomplish ,ba, which my requirements
and character can never begin to DO ="
What, marry herr"
Not much, MAKE her ask me to, and
laugh At her
| confc., that hoped Jack would M,
put the matter % such severe test. lie
was capital fellow, as rich in accomplish.
mcn,s a. in money and | knew that 81
Blossom contained some very charming girls
daughters Of retired sea captains, bank.
srs. ETC.. who, however much they might
love a i1urneyman mechanic, would see him
hanged almost before they would conscn, 10
marry him. Ia coHirdi rS. a young contle-
man Of wealth aud position would probably
prove very acceptable to any Of the mar
rnrshe ones.
Bot Jack was determined and when
ro,urnod to the ci,y. n few days afterwards,
I | LET, him bu,ily arranging chest OF car
penter's tools, and getting himself up In a
paper cap and pair Of blue over.alls.
lie had wonderful! talent for doing
anything. lie played upon hAlfa-dOzen
diiIeren, musical instruments, could survey.
sko,ched prsttily IN pencil or water colors,
understood shorthand, had dabblcd in sur
gerry and medicine. was a finished jockey, a
fair gardener. had bulls q s,onS bridge,
written an epic, and half.soled apar OF
! boots
With these somewhat varied accomplish.
ments. he had no fear, Of course, but what,
he should he able 10 get on very well as a
carpenter. Nobody knew him in st. Bios.
som and when he introduced himself to
the i" boss " carpenter OF the village. he
succeeded in convincing him that he, Jack,
wa. journeyman Of unusual talent.
lie received several commissions during
the first fortnight OF his experiment; but,
on the whole, i, was lucky that he was not
compelled to subsis, on the proceeds Of his
labors. as hc nigh. hs'O found some lille
difficulty in paying hia board and minor eI-
pensss-e.pecially as no commissioned me
to send HIM some Eve dollars worth of CT.
gars every week.
One fno day, alter he had nearly exhaust.
cd hs patience, and had dOna no end OF plot