The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-11-25
The GIFT
BY WILLIAM ". HANDY

tor"
Where does he liveg"
II doe't know exactly. Over on thf
west side somewhere. ] believe
| From the minute | first saw hin
felt | must know him, There was
something unusual about him. That
was no ordinary man. even ii he did
wear a workmans garb.
| ] have several times formed sudden
attachments 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 a good ward A little 10 one
side and back Of rhc. house was a
small building that appeared to be q
| workshop.
| Ii 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 planed the board.
II was the brightness Of his eye and
the lines of happiness in his face that
first 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." I said.
Yes, he replied, and laid down his
plane; but there is one thing about
il | don't like People want poor work
and ugly work The houses we have
20 build are mostly ugly and mcon.
venient Then they use such poor ma
terial, and build on such shaky foun
cations ! have To do 1t because they
demand it, and that Is my daily
bread
30 you know why came
UP here2 ! wanted to learn your Sc.
cret met you on the street yesterday
and | 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"
lie laughed, a little embarrassed.
Young man." he said. after a mo
ment. there isn't any secret about It.
don't know that | can tell you ex-
actly what you want to know
But it seems like this to me- When
was a-young fellow, noticed nearly
everybody wanted to do one thing,
and had to do another to make 4 liv-
ing Generally they get sour and hated
the work they had 10 do. always
loved wood. and it was my notion to
make something perfect out Of 1t.
had 20 work at the carpenters trade
to make a living, but 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 ] see?"
do not remember that any picture /
or painting ever gave the entire sat.
isfaction that felt on looking around I
that room.
The FIRST thing We examined was a
book case
u worked nine months on that" he I
said And did not wonder when | I
noted the perfect symmetry, the fault- /
less joints, the marvellous finish Of the /
wood
The thing most admired was a
library table u was so simple, so
finely finished. SO perfect in outline.
that fingered over # lovingly
THAT Is art" ! said Art applied
to things Of daily use ] never saw
more beautiful thing than that table
He was evidently pleased. but said
nothing He seemed almost shy here (.
among bis creations imagined he
felt that he was laying bare his too
intimate self.
hesiiated several minutes to ask
the question in my mind was almost
afraid 10. yet I wanted that table as
had never wanted thing Of wood
"Will Won sell it?' ! asked at last
He shook his head 4 never sell
them he said That's part of my
theory A man should have something
Of his very best that he won't ex-
for money"
! certainly showed my disappoint-
ment. but ! appreciated his feelings.
i will not sell IL. but will give 1t
10 you" he said. simply
oh. no." was embarrassed. =
could not take IT. for nothing
A look of disappointment came into
tho carpenters face.
J am sorry." be- said. 7 was in
hopes you would.
Why. there is nothing would
prize 30 much. answered But il
represents 50 much Of your time and
work"
THAT Is why wapted 70 give II
1o you 7 think ynu understand IT and
love 81
Thanh Won 7 said. ! wili take il.
10 sou give many away
Whenever find a man that appre-