Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-22
Alexandria Gazette


Published Regularly on TUESDAYS, THURS
DAYS and SATURDAYS, at Sic Dollars per
annt,n. r
TRADES AND PROFESSIONS The reluctance
manifested by the youth of the present genera
tion to learn trades excites much attention and
serious fears are expressed that, in a not dis
tant future, there will be in our country great
scarcity Of skilled labor in all the branches Of
mechanics
Every mechanic cannot expect to become an
employer; this is not the economy Of life in
these or any other pursuits II is only the skill
who know no such word as FAIL who become
the leaders in all the pursuits Of life. Not one
clerk out of hundred becomes successful
merchant. A journeyman mechanic has n much
more certain reliance than clerk. If he be
sober and industrious he can much more readily
find market for his services. Peculiar aptl-
tude is a prerequisite to moderate success or
anything like certain employment; but, IN the
worst of times the skilled workman can always
yet certain amount Of work. As to the
''drudgery,' all work is more or less principally
morel afflicted with this complaint No lawyer,
doctor. clergyman or merchant ever succeeds
in his profession without long and painful
drudgery; and after life time spent in the
hardest Of work, mental and physical not more
than one out Of hundred that start In the race
acquire either fame or fortune. The severest
drudgery in any avocation is the only certain
10 I'd to eminence, either in mechanics, litera-
ture, science or art.
There is no more risk OF moral contamina-
ton in BOYS learning a trade than in any other
pursuit; proprotonately, there are more young
men contaminated in our colleges and universe
ties than in our workshops. 1t is not in the
workshop that vicious habits are engendered,
but on the corners of the streets, in engine and
nose houses, where the young men are under
but little restraint, and are exposed to the worst
influences
For this reluctance to lesrn trades We think
society is more responsible than our youth.
Fathers and mothers teach their children, if
not directly at least indirectly, that the harder
physical labor required in the trades is not SO
respectable" az employment in the counting
house. We must change this whole system OF
thought in the minds of those who are respon-
BILE for the we'll being of their sons, or We shall
soon be overrun with an army OF droncs anu
have no skilled artizaus to exploit the great i'll
dustries and advance the material prosperity OF
our country. Perhaps the whole root Of this
evil is to be found in the false and foolish inter
pretation put by what is called society upon
the word 'sgentility' and in this democratic
land it is high time we should cast off the
shackles of such etfete and demoralizing CON
yentionalisms, and learn that every species OF
honest and intelligent WORK honestly and in
tellipently performed is an equal passport to
honor and consideration. .-Pablc Record.
Mont BLANCA correspondent from
Switzerland writes of recent fatal disasters III
the vicinity of Mont Blanc; "A gentleman
with his bride and lady friend made the as
cension to the Grand Muets, which is six
thousand five hundred feet above the Lowell OF
Chamounix. The day was so fine that when
there ureel by the ladies, whom, with guide, he
left behind him he started to make the ascen
sion of Mont Blanc Shortly after he left them,
becoming cold, all three went out tor walk,
tied together, as they always are, tor greater
securityin the mountain excursions.
Walking upon the ice and snow crust, the
guide offered his arm to the wife, who had
hardly accepted it when, owing either TO the
softeniag Of the crust by the heat, or crack
ing from the weight or the formation OF Gre
vase: both the guide and wife disappeared,
the friend only escaping their fate by the
breaking of the rope. Disappearing thus IN
stantly in place which did not seem danger
ous, they have never been seen nor found,
though eight Of the guides, at the risk Of their
lives, went down into the creyasse sixty feet
in fact made attempts until the government
forbade any more the lives of others were
periled for those that had been lost
The lady who was left screamed, and re.
manned on the spot till the gentleman returned
to find that he had lost his wife and bride IN
the enjoyment of full health only halt an hour
previously. Such are the dangers Of ascending
Mont Blanc, where no amount OF foresight or
happen at any time, with loss OF life to some or
all Of those engaged.
A TEMPERANCE STORY. A man, at whose
house was guest, told me that he had been
a hard drinker and a cruel husband But,
said he, 'the very moment signed the pledge
[ thought of my wife--what would my Wlte say
to this? Strange that should think OF my
wife the first thing, but | dld; and as i was
going home [ said to myself: Now, It 60
home and tell her all Of sudden that l have ,H
signed the pledge, she II faint away, OF sne l.. II
up and do something, and must break IL 70
her by degrees Only think Of it! :,
As near as I could gather from what ne told
Inc, he found his wife sitting over the embers'
waiting for him. AS he came into the hIy1 house e
he said 'Nancy, think that 'Wel
Ned, what is it?'' s'Why, think I shall
that isl mean to-to-Nancy, [ mean--
whats the matter, Ned! Anything the mat
ter?' YES" said he, "the matter s just this
i have signed the temperance pledge, and sc
help me God, I'll keep it.
''She started to her feet, and she did fam
away. was just in time to catch her; and a
She Iay in my arms, her eyes shut and her face
80 pale, thinks / she's dead and and es I've done sd
wasn Sas defd br shs 0ps@ea proead
necI and T didn't know she was so strong, u
she % nulled and pulled till she got me dow
where had not been for thirty years-ou nl
knees. Then she said "Oh, God help n n!
poor Ned and strengthen him to keep III III
pledge, and [ hollered Amenl just as lou u.
asl could holler. That was the first Tune TN, y :"
ever knelt together, but it was not the lasl:
CHAKERs GARDEN SEEDS, ga gat up Re ss \
- pressy for the country trade Fifty yaaot;n 6one