, 1907-12-21
The GIFT
BY WILLIAM II. N

After the old man passed US. I turn
ed and looked at him again.
Who is that?" / asked.
Macy" said my friend, "a carpen-
ter"
Where does he liver"
II don't know exactly. Over on the
west side somewhere, I believe"
From the minute I first saw him
I felt l must know him. There was
something unusual about him. That
was no ordinary man, even II he did
wear 4 workman's garb.
I have several times formed sudden
attachments for men, and have
been sorry. So I felt no reluctance in
following the impulse that set me to
lnQuiring the next afternoon for
Macy, the carpenter.
found the place, a six room cot
tage with a good yard. A little to m
side and back of the house was q
small building that appeared to be a
workshop.
1t was after work hours, and they
had told me 1 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 planed the board.
1t was the brightness of his eye and
the lines Of happiness in his face that
first attracted me. When an old man,
especially M who has toiled, loves
life as this one did, there is something
about him worth knowing.
"You love your work." I said.
yes" he replied, and laid down his
plane; "but there is Il thing about
1t l 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. I have to do it because they
demand it, and that is my daily
bread"
DO you know why 1 came
up here? I wanted to learn your Sc
cret. I met you on the street yesterday
and 1 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, a little embarrassed.
Young man." he said, after a mo-
ment, there isn't any secret about it.
I don't know that I a tell you ex-
actly what you want to know.
But 1t seems like this to me. When
was a young fellow, l noticed nearly
everybody wanted to do one thing.
and had to do another to make a liv-
ing. Generally they get Soul and hated
the work they had to do. l always
loved wood, and it was my notion to
make something perfect out of it. ]
had to work at the carpenters trade
to make a living, but l fitted up a
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?'
I asked, eagerly.
Its in there" He pointed to a
back room.
MAY I see?"
do not remember that any picture
Or painting ever gave the entire sat
sfaction that I felt on looking around
hat room.
The first thing we examined was a
book case.
Il worked nine months on that" he
said. And I did not wonder when
noted the perfect symmetry, the fault
less joints, the marvellous finish of the
wood.
The thing I most admired was a
library table. 1t was SO simple, SO
finely finished, so perfect in outline,
that I fingered over it lovingly.
THAT is art" l said. art applied
to things Of daily use. 1 never saw a
more beautiful thing than that table"
He vas evidently pleased, but said
nothing. He seemed almost shy here
among his creations. l imagined he
felt that he was laying bare his too
intimate self.
1 hesitated several minutes to ask
the question in my mind. l was almost
afraid to. yet I wanted that table as
l had Eve wanted a thing Of wood.
will you sell it," l asked at last.
He shook his lead. Il never sell
Them" he said. That's part of my
theory. A nan should have something
Of his very best that he won't ex-
change for money"
1 certainly showed my disappoint-
ment, but l appreciated his feelings.
Il will not sell it, but l will give 1t
to you," he said, simply.
"Oh, mol" I was embarrassed. IT
could not take 1t for nothing"
A look of disappointment came into
the carpenters face.
II am sorry" he said. II was in
hopes you would"
why, there is nothing l would
prize so much" I answered. But 1t
represents SO much Of your time and
work"
THAT is why 1 wanted to give 1t
to you. I think you understand it and