The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-03-04
ONLY A CARPENTER.
BY MARY Il. LEE.

"Why, he's only carpenter. What
can induce Belle to marry him? She was
always SO particular, can't understand
it,"
"Cupid's darts, suppose. He is very
elegant looking, if he is a carpenter, and
if Belle is satisfied, | am sure we need
not worry"
But Belle is so refined and so exclu-
sive, and she has such lofty ideas about
everything. | always imagined some no.
bleman or prince from the other side of
the Atlantic would have to court her."
"Then you don't believe in natures no.
blemen? Why may we not have noble
men on this side of the broad Atlantic :?
Originally, what caused the difference be-
tween men? Why did some one man be-
come ruler over others of the same tribe :?
If all men are created free and equal,
why do some rule over others ? Why
do some lead while others follow 2"
" suppose some have more talent than
others, but only think of marrying man
who works with his hands,
"Why not? We all work with our
hands in some manner. The hands were
made to work with, whether We saw,
chi>cl or plane with the carpenter, hold
the pen with the author, and put our
thoughts into words for the benefit of the
public, ply the needle with the scamstress,
handle the brush with the artist, lay bricks
with the bricklayer, or simply fan our
selves with the lady Of leisure. What
does it matter: We all work with our
hands"
"Of course, but you know what mean.
Socially, carpenter and an author are
not considered equals"
Because socially people seldom look
beneath the surface. a man may use his
hands in some mechanical work, and have
n fine mind and noble thoughts, and
fortunately, if his mind fits him for some
thing higher, he need not remain a car
penter or bricklaver, or whateverlt 1t may
be. have been reading of a poor Eng
lish carpenter, who, while working away
with his hands, also managed to keep his
head busy. You know it is harder for a
person to step from one walk in life to
another there than here, yet this poor
carpenter mastered language after Ian
guage. When he was twenty-five years
old he had a good knowledge of Latin,
Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldce and other
Eastern dialects"
How could he?"
BY steady perseverance"
did he rise to something higher?"
cob, yes, | was going to tell you. He
was at work in country house when
fire broke out and burned his tools. He was
quite destitute, although his head was full
of knowledge. A clergyman knew of his
ability and got him the position Of teacher
in a school. Afterwards he was recon-
mended to the University of Cambridge
as suitable person to teach languages.
The king appointed him professor of He
brew and other Eastern languages, and
Professor Lee (the poor, untaught carpen-
teri was considered one of the greatest
scholars of his day and country"
"And is Bellies carpenter going to be
a shining light among dead languages ~
He is studying a profession and will
probably make his mark by using living
language instead of dead ones. AS he is
a free born American citizen he may as
pire to the White House"
But how did Belle meet with this
wonderful carpenter who is to plane his
way into the White House ?"
Among the hills. He stopped at the
same hotel. One day Bellies father over
heated himself climbing a mountain and
was taken sick. This young man, Will
Anderson, was the only one in the party
who knew what to do. He took care of
the old gentleman and got him back to
the hotel in safety. Old MIR. Wilson
thinks Anderson saved his life and so does
Belle Intimacy was thus commenced.
Mr. Wilson invited Anderson to the
house, and | suppose he and Belle have
found that they are intended for each
other She thinks she is going to marry
n0bleman.
every romantic, but can't under.
stand how he can have the manners of a
gentlemon.'
q can't see why mechanical work need
prevent a man from being a gentleman.
Among the Jews it was the custom for
every boy to learn trade. ST. Paul was
a tent maker, and supported himself at his
trade even while preaching the gospel. |
hardly think anyone would consider st.
Paul an inferior He was a scholar, a
teacher or doctor of the law, and think
he most fastidious would call him a gen.
5leman."
eyes, but / don't think St. Paul is
exactly a model for society now. He
lived so long ago"
"And lives for all time in his example
and writings. But we have a still higher
example than St. Paul, the life of One
who came to earth to be a model to the
race till the end Of time. Our Lord fol-
owed the calling of His reputed father
worked with His hands as carpenter.
When you spoke, thought of the hum
bic home in Galilee where Jesus ps ssed
The greater part Of His life working at
The trade you 80 much despise. All the
time His head was filled with the whole
scheme of salvation, and His heart with
warnings over the whole human family,
over you and me, over Belle and her car
, enter. No, never felt ike despiSing a
mechanic. For me, at least, Jesus has
hallowed the calling of carpenter"
"You are more Sensational than |
thought. hope the fates have worthy
in ore for you"
"And nobleman for you"
Ill -