Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-10-10
CUPID AND CRISPIN.


J. 3 CUPID AND CRIsPIN.
A TALE, SHOWING THE UTILITY OF LEATHER IN
AN AFFAIR OF LOVE.
In the small sitting room of small tavern,
in one of the smallest villages of the very
smallest of the Eastern States, on a certain
summer afternoon, about twenty five years
ago, a young man, known to his limited cir
Gle of friends and acGuaintances by the name
of Tom Winchell, was pacing backward and
forward with an uneasy and discontented air.
AS he was young, good looking and unmar-
ried, it would have been difficult for the most
acute stranger to guess the cause of his troub-
ae. Yet some explanation might have been
sonnd in the despairing look which he often
cast upon his feet, which (although they as
well as the appertaining legs were remark ably
Handsomely were arrayed in pair of shatter-
ed and decayed halt boots, of that class which
in earlier times were called ssnuIifiers.'
Tom Wincbell's meditations were Interrupt
ted by the sound of cheerful melody, whis-
tied by person who at that juncture entered
the room with pair of patent leather boots,
which he had just finished for the landlord of
the tavern. This person was Jack Hutchn-
son, artist of much skill in that useful
branch of industry called cordwaining, and
able to construct anything in his line of busi-
ness, from Brobdinagian boot, fit for fash
ionabc gentleman to kick his creditors out of
doors with, down to Liliputan slipper, suit
able for lady dancer, with heels as light as
her head.
Jack Hutchinson perfectly understood all
the mysteries of s'pegged work. and he could
fasten on boot-soles so expeditiously by this
process that nothing could be more surprising
except their aptitude for coming off again.
But he had heart capable of friendship far
more enduring than his handwork in leather !;
and Of the devotedness of that friendship the
argument OF our story presents memorable
example.
Having some acquaintance with Tom Win
chell, Mr.. Hutchinson now opened a conver-
sation with him, by saying, ssGood afternoon
Mr.. Winchel; going to the ball next Wed
nesday Z" This ball, which was to be a very
fashionable affair, was to sscome OFF, at the
principal saloon of the village situated in the
second story OF Baxley's hotel and this grand
event was the very subject Of Toms reflections
at the time he was addressed by Mr.. Hutchin-
son. He answered with profound sigh, ssIt
was my intention to go, and have even bot
ticket; but to tell you the melancholy truth,
Dir. Hutchinson, these wretched boots are the
best articles | have to cover my feet, and
cannot think of appearing in them before all
the select society of the neighborhood. To
increase the misery of my disappointment,
Henrietta Brundle, the prettiest girl in the
county, and one of the richest, will be there,
and | counted on my fine dancing and the
TO recommend myself to her favorable notice.
But alas /! what are the most symmetrical legs
and feet without presentablc shoes and stock
ings2 I'm in as bad a fix, you perceive as
Cinderella herself; and still more unlucky
than she was-because | have no obliging old
witch of a grandmother to give ne pair of
glass slippers, or even morocco ones. The
worst of it is, Mr.. Hutchinson, that Pm pre-
cious 'hard up at this time, or should imme-
diately give you an order for pair of dancing
pumps, as you are the only man in this sec
tion of the country who knows how to get up
such an article in the proper stye.'
Now this state of being sshard up'' was
known to be sort of constitutional peculiar
ity with Mr.. Winchell, though, among the
proyident and industrious inhabitants of the
Eastern States, such trait is very notable
siDgularity. Toms address had the desired
effect upon the heart of the generous and
gifted cordwainer, who Immediately offered
10 supply Mr.. Winchell with pair of pumps,
and to wait for payment until something should
ESturn up.''
On the important Wednesday evening. the
grand saloon over Mr.. Baxley's bar room was
lighted up by dazzling display of sperma-
ceti candles, and all the windows were draped
with new curtains of red bombazine and white
book muslin, purchased expressly for the &C.
casion. The fiddler turned up, the company
poured in, and the reigning belle, Miss Henri
e'ta Drundie, appeared IN perfect DlaZe OF
beauty and rose colored ribbons. BY her side
was seated Mr.. Larkin Brown, the enamoured
owner of the largest and finest farm in the
'neighborhood, though his appearance was
somewhat of the gawky and chuckle-headed
style. But when Tom Winchell approached
ana politely requested the honor of her hand
ilh the dance, Henrietta glanced first at Toms
captivating dancing apparatus, (set off to the
'nest advantage by the workmanship of Mr..
shutchtuson,) and then casting her eyes at the
huge cowhde boots of Toms wealthy but
Sasteless rival, she unhesitatingly stood up as
Mr.. Winchell's partner
Tom was perfect adept in the art of dan
clng, and this evening he surpassed all his
previous performances. The rich rival in the
cowhide boots alternately became purple with
rage, and pale with modification, as he saw
Tom and Miss Brundle stand up together for
several dances in succession. But he was
completely paralyzed, when at the conclusion
VI sne ball, the young lady graciously accept
GU iom as her homeward escort. During the
walk, Tom made declaration of his love, and
was given to understand that Henrietta'a sen.
Wments corresponded very nearly with his own.
"neh they reached the commodious dwell
.'"s oi old Brundle, (who owned most of the