Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-08-09
4 Patch on Both Knees.

| When was bog. il was nv fortune 10
breathe, for a long time. what some writ.
erS term the " bracing air of poverty.
My mother-light lie the turf upon the
which once iuclo7ni her sweet and gentle
'plrlt! was what is called an ambitious
woman for tbet quality which ovcrturns
hrones, and suppants dynastios, finds a
legitimate sphere in the humblest abode
hat the shadow of poverty ever darkened.
he struggle between the wish to Keen up
appearances, and the pinching gripe of
necessity, produced endless shifts aud con-
trivances, at which we are told, some
would smile, and some-to whom-wonld
| sign. But let me not disturb the vail of
OBLIVION which shrouts from profane eyes
inc 1alloWed mysteries of poverty.
On one occasion it was necessary 10
send me on an crrand to neighbor in
better circumstances than ourselves: and.
therefore, it was advisable that should
he presented in the best possible aspect.
Great pains were accordingly taken to
give Il smart appearance 70 nv patched
and dilapdated wardrobe, aud to conc-aj
The rents and chasms which the enyinns
tooth Of time had made in them; aud hy
way OF throwing over lay equipment a
certain SAVIOUR and sprinkling Of gentilitr,
my red and toil.hardened hands were
inclosed in tho unfamiliar castings of !,
pair of gloves, which belonged to nv
mother in days when her years were few.
er and her heart lighter.
l sallted forth on my errand, and on
my way encountered much older and
bigger boy. who evidently belonged to q
family which had all our own dragging
poverty. and none of our uprising wealth
of spirit. His rags fairly fluttered in the
breeze; his hat was constructed on the
most approved principle of ventilation,
and his shoes, from their venerable antoi.
uity. might have been deemed pair of
fossil shoes-the very ones in which Shem
shuih3d into the ark. He was an impu.
dent varlet, with daredevil swagger in
his gait, and" I'm rs good as you" leer in
his eye; the very whelp TO throw dirt
over well dressed horseman. because he
was well dressed-to tear hoy ruffies
because he was clean. As soon as he saw
me his eye detected the practical inconsis.
tencies which characterized my os!ume.
and taking me by the shoulders. turning
me rouud with no gentle hand, and sur.
veyins me from head to foot. be exclaimed
with scornful laugh Of derision:
"A patch on both knees and gloves ont'
still recall the sting of wounded feel
ings which shot through me at these
words. 70 parody celebrated line of
the immortal Tuscan. "That day l wore
my gloves no more" But the lesson so
rudely enforced sank deep into my mind
and, in after life have had frequent occa-
sion to make practical application of
the words of my ragged friend when I
have observed the ridiculous inconsis-
tencies which so often mark thecondnct of
mankind When, for instance, see par
ents carefully providing for tho ornamental
education of their children, furnishing
them with teachers in music, dancing and
drawing, but giving no thought to that
moral and religious training from which
the true dignity and permanent happiness
OF lite can come-never teaching them
habits Of self sacrifice and self discipline
aud CONTROL but rather, by example.
instructing them in evil sbeaking, unchar.
itableness, in envy, and in false e-hood-I
think with sigh OF the patch on both
knees and gloves on.
When see family in cold selfish soli-
tude, net habtually warming their houses
with glow of happy faces, but lavishing
that which could furnish the hospitality of
a whole year upon the profusion of sin.
gle night, am reminded of the patch on
both knees, and gloves on.
When see house profusely furnished
with sumptuous furniture, rich cutains,
luxurious carpets, but without books, or
none but few tawdry ANIMALS, am
reminded of the patch on both knees, and
gloves on.
When see our public men cultivating
exclusively these qualities which win n
way to olli1e, and negecting those which
will qualify them TO fill honorably the
posts 10 which they aspire, | recall the
patch on bolh knees, aud gloves on.
When | see men sacrificing peace of
mind and health Of holy to The Insane
pursuit Of wealth, living in Ignorance of
lhe character of their children who are
growing up around them, putting them
selves off from the hg est and pures:
pleasures of their natures, and so pervert-
ing their huHlanity that that which was
sought as a means inseusbly comes TO be
followed as AN end, say to myself, "A
patch on both knees. and gloves on"
And lastly, when I see thousands spent
for setishuess and osIentatiOn, and nothing
bestowed Tor charity; when see tre In.
dies bestained and bejeweied, cheapening
he tolls of dress makers, and with harsh
words ombttering the bitter bread OF de-
pendeDce when see the poor turned away
from proud houses, where the crumbs of
he table would be to them feast, think
Of the patch on both knees, and gloves on.