Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-04-05
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY EVENING. APRIL ).

The JACK.AT ALL TRADES is worth the
time and effort it requires to learn little OF
everything useful, though man should have
a particular calling on which all his best ener-
pies are conferred. Who has not seen family
20 for DAYS with window pane boarded up or
covered with paper, because no gIazer could be
had to repair il, and the master OF the house
was as ignorant of the process of setting pane
as his three year old child? So too the family
is often compelled to bring water from some
neighbours we'll for weeks together. because OF
some little difficulty with regard TO the pump
apparatus which workman cannot be found
TO repair.
We need but to begin early with our children,
teach them how to use their eyes whenever
they see men working, no matter whether they
ever expect to do that particular kind OF work
10 all their lives. >,
A large concourse Of people were assembled
to see the browning block added to some grand
monument, and when it had almost reached
the summit, perhaps an eighth OF an Inch only
lacking, it was found they could not accomplish
II. There it swayed and the vast multitude
looked on with breathless, speeches. anxiety.
Just then stentorian sailor voice sang out.
wet the ropes!" The suggestion was at once
followed, and the contraction was sufficient to
set the block in its place. So much tor bit
OF knowledge. Learn everything that you can,
boys, as you 20 along through lite, and never
fear Of being called Jack-of all-Trades. NO
one is in greater request IN society than the
handy" person. who is ready tor any emer-
gency.
If the harness breaks when he is out with a
sleiqhing party, word is quickly passed down
TO him-"Can't you fix it up some way tor me,
Nedl" II a bridge must be extemporized on
a pic mic excursion, he is by common consent
looked to as an architect; aud so In the more
serious, business of ife he is continually refer
red to and consulted for advice in the com,
munity, particularly if he joins witt his skill
an obigiug, cheerful disposition, Country
Gentleman.
A Curious CARNIVAL CUSTOM Frank
fort Corr of the N. Y. Times, March II. l.
Ii is an ancient custom in many parts OF Ger
many to lead a fat OK decorated with ribbons
around the city or village on Shrove Tuesday
during the carnival season. The custom Is
more popular in France, from whence the fol.
lowing story originates: In a town named
Caen, instead Of the fat OK tat man was led
through the streets. This individual weighed
two hundred and ninety pounds, and was nine
feet 10 circumference, true wine tub upon two
legs He had previously been forage dealer
and, "a the French say, had put hay 10 his
boots" or in other words, become rich, but
still did not despise hundred franc piece.
For that sum he had consented to play the
roe of the fat OK, and be led through the
street, but had placed one condition that the
leanest citizen of Caen 60 around with him
and take up collection among the lockers on
In this way two hundred francs were collected
What will you do with all this treasure
asked the collecting skeleton OF his stout friend
"Come with me and you will see, was the
reply. He led the auk man into miserable
cellar where poor woman aud her children
were crying round the journeyman mason, who
had had his leg broken in an accident to a
building. The fat OK man had q good big
heart; for he threw the two hundred francs
which had been collected by bis meagre friend
upon the bed and then his own hundred francs
also, gave the poor woman his hand, kissed
the children, and said to the skeleton as they
were going away, Now you can laugh ut me
as long as you like" But he was no, Iidi
culed; the people o. the place all united to
thank him, and the same evening Serenaded
his dwelling.