Greenbelt cooperator. (Greenbelt, Md.) 1937-1954, 1940-07-18
THE REBEL IN ART
By Anne Arundel
PART II

Mnen Charles wilson Pea1e II old,
Mrs. Pea1e took her brood Of father1ess youngsters
to Annapolis to live. Young John Beale Bordley was
just beginning to practice Law but he had other re-
sources besides the returns from his work. conse-
quent1y he was able to give financial aid to the
destitute family Of the dear teacher whom he
vered. He gave the widow enough support to aid
duringua the first few months of adjustment widow.
Gradually she began to achieve modest independence
as seamstress. Before young Charles had celebrat-
ed his thirteenth birthday, his mother bound him
apprentice to a saddl er. This APPRENTICE
ship was to Last until Charles should be q.
Annapolis in those days was living up to its name,
the "Bath Of America" it had been istened by
an European visitor. It exciting place for a
boy to grow up. In the shop Of Nathan Waters,
saddler, From Philadelphia, at the house Of Mr..
Charles Wallace, staymaker, opposite to Mr.. James
kaccubbin's Store, in Church Street, Annapolis",
old record states Charles worked for long hours
learning to handle tools sdlfully and accurately.
saddle-naking entailed leather cutting, work
ing could provide but slight basis for 1aterat
studies. But as the years Of youth dragged by and
the boy1sh fingers had grown profit enough to
work automai cally at such tasks the apprenticeship
grew irksome. Charles found time to do extra
work. With the money he earned he bought a watch
and horse. The watch was not very reliable.
Charles spent five sfd11ings to repair It. Still
the watch did not keep time accurately. So Charles
decided to experiment himself. He never succeeded
in repairing the watch as he wished but he had
stumbled upon a hobby which brought him much plea
sure and some money, when he was in financial DIFF
Hculttes. He had much self-confidence in his
ability that he permit ted himself to advertise
Matchmaker in later years.
The horse enabled him to visit plantations and
make friends outside of the city. When he II he
rode out to visit a friend beyond the South River.
He met A-year old Rachel Brewer and promptly fell
in love w tn her. Charles never wasted moment in
life. He Immediately asked her mother for permits
sion to pay his attention to Rachel until he could
be released from his apprenticeship and be in po-
sition to marry. He must have been an engaging Lad
for Rachels mother gave him permission to court her
daughter Neither Charles her mother told Rachel
the for his frequent visits. One Sunday when
Rachel still only IS old, Charles declared
his love for her. He burst out suddenly with such
fervent protestat ions that Rachel speech1ess
with anazeent. Charles misintrepreted her silence
He thought she refusing him. He rushed frorl
the house, flung himself onto his horse and vent
riding mad1y off to propose to another young Lady
whom he lo,ew. Fortunately the second young woman
already betrothed and had more poise in dis
mis- sing Pea1e. According to Peale's quaint autobi
ography, written In the third person; ."Tths court
ship did not take than hour from the be-
ginning to the end of it, and It has been sale that
this lady afterward unhappily married. He now
apple ed again closely to his work, having lost all
his spare time in frehtless cor tship." So Pea1e
went back to the sadd1ery business sadder but ap-
parent1y not a wiser young nan.
Ito be contimed)