Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-11-27
The Gift
BY WILLIAM X. HANDY

|
ter"
Where does he liver"
Ell don't know exactly. Over on the
west side somewhere, believe"
From the minute | first saw him
| felt must know him. There was
unusual about him. That
was no ordinary man, even If he did
wear a workman's garb.
/ have several times formed sudden
attach nents for men. and have never
been sorry. So felt no reluctance IN !
following the impulse that set me to
inquiring the next afternoon for /
Macy, the carpenter.
] found the place, six room cot
tage with good yard A little TO one
side and back of the house was a
small building that appeared to be a
workshop.
1t was after work hours, and they
had told me | would probably find
him there.
/ didn't knock at the house, but
went across the yard to the other
building and stepped in. The old man
was dressing a walnut board. He did
not stop to inquire my business, but
talked along in the friendliest sort
Of way as he planned the board.
It was the brightness of his eye and
the lines of happiness in his face that,
fSst attracted me. When an old man,
especially one who has toiled, loves
life as this one did, there is something
about him worth knowing.
"You love your work. said.
YES" he replied and laid down his
plane; but there is one thing about
it / don't like People want poor work
and ugly work The houses we have
, to build are mostly ugly and incon-
venient. Then they use such poor ma
terial, and build on such shaky foun-
dations. | have to do 1t because they
demand it, and that is my daily
bread"
do you know why came
I'D here? | wanted to learn your Sc
cret. / met you on the street yesterday
and l knew at once from the light in
your face that you had learned some
excellent way in life Something that
has kept you in love with your work
and the world"
He laughed, little embarrassed.
Young man." he said, after mo-
ment, there isn't any secret about it.
l don't know that l can tell you ex'
actly what you want to know.
But it seems like this to me. When
l was young fellow, noticed nearly
everybody wanted to do one thing
and had to do another to make liv
ing. Generally they get sour and hated
the work they had to do. l always
loved wood, and it was my notion to
make something perfect out Of 1t.
had to work at the carpenters trade
i to make a living, but I fitted up 9
place here, and when the day Of do
ing ugly work, was over, I'd come In
here and work out my own idea"
"And where is some of the work 2
asked, eagerly.
Its in there" He pointed to 8
back room.
MAY see?"
do not remember that any picture
or painting ever gave the entire sat
isfaction that felt On looking around
that room.
The nrst thing we examined was I
book case.
Il worked nine months on that" hi
said. And l did not wonder when
noted the perfect symmetry, the fault
less joints, the marvellous finish of thu
wood.
The thing / most admired was /
library table. It was SO simple, 81
finely finished, 30 perfect In outline
that fingered over it lovingly.
THAT IL art" ! said. cart applied
to things of daily use. never saw I
more beautiful thing than that table.
He was evidently pleased, but salt
nothing. He seemed almost shy herr
among his creations. / imagined h
felt that he was laying bare his to-
intimate self.
hesitated several minutes to asl
the question in my mind. was almos
afraid to, yet wanted that table q
had never wanted thing of wood
"Will you sell IT." / asked at last
He shook his head. Il never sci
them" he said That's part Of m.
theory. A man should have something
Of his very best that he won't ez
change for money"
/ certainly showed my disappoinl
ment, but appreciated his feelings.
II will not sell 1t, but l will give
to YOU" he said, simply.
"Oh, mol" l was embarrassed. I"
could not take it for nothing"
A look Of disappointment came int
the carpenters face.
Il am sorry" he said. Il was il
, hopes you would"
why, there is nothing woul
prize SO much,' / answered. "But
represents so much Of your time an
work"
THAT is why wanted to give
!. to you. think you understand it an
love it."
THANK you" l said. i will take 1
Do you give many away?"
whenever / find man that appr,
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