The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-04-15
NUMBER 10.
ONLY A CARPENTER.
BY MARY . LEE.


We need not worry"
"But Belle is so refined and 30 tx-
elusive, and she has such lofty ideas
about everything. / alwaya imagined
some nebleman or prince from the other
side OF the Atlantic would have to court
her
"Then you don't believe in natures
uohlemen2 Why may we nos have uoble-
men on this side OF the broad Atlsntic?
Originally, what caused the difference
between men2 Why did some one man
become ruler over others of the same
tribe? If all men are created free and
equal, whv do some rule while others
obey2 Why do some lead while others,
followP"
81 suppose some have more talent
than others, but only think OF marrying
a man who works with bis hands,"
"Why not1 We all work with our
hands 10 some manner The hands were
made to work with, whether we saw.
chisel or plaue 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 feam-
stress, handle the brush with the artist,
i lay bricks with the bricklayer, or simply
fan ourselves with the lady OF leisure.
What does it matter2 We all work
with our hands,"
"Of course. but you know what
mean. Socially, carpenter and an
aulhor are not considered equals. /"
Because socially people seldom look
beneath the surface. A man may usa
bis hands in some mechanical work, and
have fine mind aud nonie thoughts, and
fortunately, if his mind fits him for
something higher, be need not remain a
carpenter or bricklayer, or whatever
it NAV be- I have been reading OF
poor English carpenter, who while work.
ing 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,
get this poor carpenter mastered lam
gusge. When he was twenty-five years
old he had ,od knowledge OF Latin,
Greek, Hebrew, Syriac and other Eastern
dialects"
"Hnw could he ?"
"BY steady perseverance
Did he rise to something higher Z" :,
-"Ol, 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 lull OF knowledge. A Clergyman
knew OF his ability and got him the po-
sition OF teacher in school, After
wards he was recommended to the Uni
versity Of Cambridge as suitable per-
son to teach languages. The king ap-
pointed him professor Of Hebrew and
other Eastern languages, and Professor
LIE (the poor, untaught carpenter) was
considered one of the greatest scholars
of bis day and country"
"Aud is Bellies carpenter going to be
a shining light among d ad languages 2"
He is studying profession and will
probably make his mark by using liv-
ing language instead Of dead ones. As
be is free born American citizen he
may aspire to the white house."
.'Bus how did Belle meet with this
wonderful carpenter who il to plane his
way into the white house 2"
"Among the hills. He stopped at the
same hntel One dav Bellies father over
heated himself climbing mountain and
was taken sick. THIS young man, Will
Anderson, was the cnly 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 Mr.. Wilson
thinks Anderson saved his life and so
does Belle Intimacy was thus com.
menced. 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 a nobleman."
Very romantic. but / cant under.
stand how he can have the manners of q
gentleman
II can't see why mechanical work need
prevent man from being gentleman.
Among the Jews it was the custom for
every boy to learn trade. St. Paul was
tent maker, and supported himself at
his trade even while preaching the gos-
pei. Ihardly think anyone would con.
slider St. Paul an inferior. He was q
scholar, q teacher or doctor of the law,
and | think the most fastidious would
call him gentleman
Eyes, but l don't think ST. Paul Is ex.
actly q model for society. He lived so
long ago."
Sand lives for all time 10 his example
and writings. But we have still higher
example than St Paul, the life of One
who came to earth to be model to the
race till the end Of time. Our Lord fol.
lowed the calling Of His reputed father
with His hands as carpenter.
When you spoke, thought Of the hum-
BILE home in Galilee where Jesus passed
the greater part of His life working at
the trade you so much despise All the
time His head was filed With the whole
scheme OF salvation, and His heart with
yearnings over the whole human family,
over YOU and me, over Belle and her car
penter. M, l never felt like despising
. mechanic. For me, at least, Jesus has
halo we'd the calling Of carpenter"
"You are more sentimental than I
thought ! hope the fates have . worthy
in store for You
"And q nohleman for you."
Years after, when Bellies carpenter was
a judge, these friends remembered this
conversation. and the despiser Of manual
labor remarked:
"You are right. Il is, better to be Q
carpenter with noble heart and flno
mind, with the energy to work for some.
thing higher, than to be so-called gen.
tleman. willing to rest on the laurels OF
his ancestors"
Yes, in this country all that pride Of
family and caste is out OF place. The
carpenter Of to -day may be the Judge Of
morrow, and the humbleet mechanic
may have the instincts OF gentleman" !"
Pure blood helps 10 make clear con-
sc ence: Hoods SarsAnsrilla purifiea