Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-03-19
THE MISTAKEN MOTHER.
eHonor and fame from no condition rise,
Act well your pat-there nll the honor les"

/ "lIonor and fame from no condition rise,
Act well your part-thers ai the honor les"
'Say what you will, Mrs Lincoln, my daughter
shall never marry q mechanic-that point ls set
, tied beyond question. What right has mechan,
ic to seek her hand? She moves now in the best
society," and intend she shall never unite herself
in marriage with any one who is not her equal, at
least in rank"
"Wel they do say" replied Mrs. Lincoln,
'that George Hamblin has actually offered himself
to her. or is on the point of doing so and it such
be the fact, and my advice was asked in the mat
ter, would say let Mary accept him by all means.
She can never do better and may do worse. AS to
your remark about rank, if you intend to intimate
that his rank is not equal to your daughters, l
must be allowed frankly to differ with you. True,
George is mechanic, but have yet to learn that
well educated and accomplished young man like
him, is any the less gentleman, or the less enti-
tied to be considered of the first society," for being
mechanic
"Oh now, youneedn ttalk 50 to me, " said Mrs.
Otis; you'll never make me believe mechanic
is gentleman in the true acceptation of the term.
There may be some who are tolerably well educa-
ted, and know how to appear tolerably respectable
when thrown into good company, but there is some
thing to my mind so vulgar in the idea OF me-
chanic, that can never consent to any arrange
lnent that would lead to introduce them into the
first society. Least of all, shall any, with my per-
mission, ever salute me as his mother-in-law.
Pshaw Mrs. Lincoln, the thing is preposterous y
1T doubtless appears so to you, Mrs Otis; but
your views on the subject are all wrong. You can
not have examined it in its true light and reflected
properly upon it. Pray, whom do you consider as
the only persons who should compose what you
call the first society"
"Why, professional men, Of course; such as law
yers, doctors, ministers, &C.: as well as young men
of pleasure, retired merchants, and others who are
living on their money without particular employ
ment. do not wish to be understood as saying
that mechanics, farmers, and the like, are not re-
spectacle in their places, Mrs. Lincoln all ask
is that they move in their proper sphere, and not
intrude themselves where they do not belong"
Eyes, understand you prefer as an associate
for yourself and daughter, the polished gentlemen
of leisure to an honest Industrious, intelligent
mechanic. And who are many of these gentlemen
who are admitted into and caressed by your first
society? Bankrupts in poverty, in moral princi-
pies, andeverything else except brass and brlstes;
creatures who would pass current for puppies eve
rywhere. Except in your first society, } though
but for their loquacity, some might be taken for
goats in breechcs, or ourang outangs from the Ash
attic Islands. Against your lawyers, doctors and
divines have nothing to say in your language, l
respect them all in their places. But as distinct
classes in society," neither is whit BETTER or more
respectable than the hardy mechanics and yeoman-
ry of the country generally. If there be any dis
tinction the producing classes are certainly entitled
to the highest consideration"
"Well, Mrs Lincoln, if you don't beat all !
Why, your doctrines carried out, would destroy oil
distinctions in society Only think of a fashona-
bic assembly, composed of gentlemen of different
learned professions, farmers, mechanics, merchants,
traders, spectators, gamblers, and what not, each
and all with their associates, congregated on terms
of perfect equality. Wouldn't it present nice
picture?"
s'But you are little too fast, )" replied Mrs.
Lincoln; II am not the advocate of such equality
as that, by any means. On the contrary, wish
to see what passes for the first society among US,
purged of its impurities, and the worthy mechanic
assume the rank he deserves in the world. lwoud
have the frown of the virtuous and good forever
fixed upon the unprincipled and dissolute, what,
ever their occupation in life External accomplish,
ments, either with or without wealth, should never
serve as passport to polluted heart, into the
bosom of respectable society. While honest in,
dusty should ever be recognized with smile Of
commendation; its antagonist, incidence, should
find no favor whatever"
"Wel, it is folly to talk to me. My mind is
made up. Mary is not going to have George
Hamblin nor any other mechanic. She shall live
and die an old maid first"
s'Very well; it is no particular concern of mine,
said Mrs. Lincoln ''but We shall see whether she
is herself disposed to regard his advances with a
vor. Indeed, 1 have already seen enough to con,
vince me that he has nothing to fear so far as she
is concerned. 1t is not long since L observed
them very closely engaged in conversation by them
selves. 1t was on the occasion of Mary late visit
to her aunt. Leaning with clasped hands Upon
his arm, she was looking up into his face with or
earnestness that at once convinced me of her de-
votedness to him. Let US hear what she has tc
say for herself"
Mary had just now returned from short walk
Well knowing the prejudice of her mother against
mechanics she resolutely insisted that Mrs. Lin
coin must have taken her cousin Lorenzo tor Mr.
Hambliu, as the person with whom she was prom
enading while at her aunt's.
At this moment the door-bell rang and gentle
man was Immediately conducted into the room
whom Mary recognized and introduced asDr. VIII
liams, a young physician from neighboring vii
lagc Mary had met him at recent party, anc
he called, in passing, just to present his compi
ments, and to see that she had suffered no incon
venience from her exposure to the damp air on thf
: night Of the party
His age was about twenty-five, his stature lit
| tie above the medium height, complexion dark
eyes and nose prominent, and his expression agree
: able.
! After half hour Of pleasant conversation hi
took his leave not, however, without receiving ant
accepting pressing invitation from Mrs. Otis, il
which her daughter of course, modestly joined
to call again.
t He had no sooner left the house, than Mrs. Oti
G embraced the occasion to draw lively comparison
between him, as one of the learned profession ant
mechanics. With an air of lively satisfaction, sh
said:
; "Show me your mechanic Mrs. Lincoln, who ii
able to converse with DR.. Williams Did you not
T the variety and extent of his knowledge his hap