The Democratic advocate., 1909-05-14
THE IDEAL WORKMAN.

After the old man passed us, turn
ed and looked at him again.
Who is that?y asked
Macy" said my friend, "a car
penter"
Where does he liver"
Il don't know exactly. Over on the
west side somewhere, believe"
From the minute first saw him
felt / must know him There was
something unusual about him. That
was no ordinary man, even If he did
wear workman's 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 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.
l didn't knock at the house, but
went across the yard 10 the other
building and stepped in. The old man
was dressing walnut board. He did
not stop 70 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 one who has toiled, loves
life as this one did, there is some-
thing about him worth knowing.
You love your work." ] said
Yes" he replied, and laid down his
plane; but there is one thing about
II | 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 it because they
demand 1t, and that is my daily
bread"
DO you know why I came up
here? ] wanted to learn your secret
/ met you on the street yesterday and
| knew at once from the light in your
face that you had learned some ex-
cellent 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 Il.
| don't know that ] can tell you ex-
actly what you want TO know.
But IL seems like this TO me. When
was young fellow, | noticed nearly
everybody wanted to do one thing.
and had 10 do another TO make a liv-
ing. Generally they get sour and hated
the work they had to do. | always
loved wood, and II was my notion 60
make something perfect out OF II. I
had to work at the carpenters trade
to make 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.
asked, eagerly.
It's in there" He pointed 10 a
back room.
May I see?"
] do not remember that any picture
or painting ever gave the entire sat
isfaction that felt on looking around
that room
The first thing we examined was a
book case
he said And did not wonder when
/ noted the perfect symmetry. the
faultless joints, the marvellous finish
OF the wood
The thing | most admired. was n
library table. II was 80 simple. 80
finely finished, so perfect In outline.
that / fingered over II lovingly.
That is art" said. Art applied
~ thtnUu NJ La 4 %,
more beautiful thing than that table" +"
He was evidently pleased. but said
nothing. He seemed almost shy here
among his creations. | imagined he
felt that he was laying bare his too
intimate self.
/ hesitated several minutes TO ask
the question in my mind ! was al
most afraid 20, yet / wanted that table
as had never wanted thing OF
wood.
viii you sell it?" / asked at last.
He shook his head Il never sell
them" he said. That's part OF my
theory. A man should have some
thing OF his very best that he won't
exchange for money"
/ certainly showed my disappoint-
ment, but | appreciated his feelings.
VIII hpl SCH ils Dub Will give IL
to you" he said. simply.
"0h. mol" was embarrassed. Il
could not take 1t for nothing"
A look OF disappointment came into
the carpenters face.
Il am sorry" he said. Il was in
hopes you would"
Why, there is nothing would
prize so much" | answered. But II
represents so much OF your time and
work"
THAT is why | wanted to give Il
to you. | think you understand II and
love it."
Thank you" | said. Il will take II.
Do you give many away"
Whenever find a man that appre-
ciates IL, ] give him what he wants.
imagine" he added, aDologeticaIly,
that every time he sees II I'll be tell
ing him what is a good piece OF work.
and when he remembers that the good
will OF gift went with It, he will
think kindly of old man Macey."
Yes" / said, humbly, II think he
will, and win be a better man for
having known one who never sold his