. The whole art ok Government consists in the ar op being honest. Jefferson. - ' f , u VOL. 3. STROUDSB URG MONROE COUNTY, PA. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1842. No.- 17. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THEODORE SCHOCH. rTERMS. Two dollars per annum in advance Two dollars Iti'l a Quarter, half yearly, ana n noipaia oeiore me enaoi I iners dx a earner or siuge umcuvuii"") niu iuyi; t.r, wiU'be charged 7 1-2 cts. per year, extra. t NO Papers UlSCOimmiCU UUUl un iuicaiat, aic pmu, BAtcjik UlC UIJUUU Ul HIV tiiAlw. r.i . i 1 t AmAntc i nrjiAAinff rnin crm rj rn f cl T t nnn impel ill be inserted three weeks for one dollar: twenty-five cents r every subsequent inseition larger ones in proportion. A "ral discounfrwill be made to yearly advertisers. U7AII lellCrs aaurcsseu 10 uie Ciiuiur muat uc yuat paiu. POETRY. From an old Paper. I've been Thinking. I've been thinking, I've been thinking, What a curious world we're in, -Men are sleeping, eating, drinking, Just as they have always been Beaux are strutting, dandies quizzing, Misses toiling night and day, Boys are sporting, girls are frizzing, Grandmas fidgeting away.- Tom is crying, Mary singing, Jack is laughing merrily, Dust is flying, tea bells ringing, These have music sure for me; Peasants toiling, rich men riding, Staring with a lordly phiz, Rogues through every crowd are gliding Zounds, how queer a world it is! Marrying, some in marriage given, Others like the world of old, All but me are feasting, living Would that wives were to be sold? Others have their dears in plenty, And their bosoms heave with love, I've had chances, nineteen, twenty But I dare not one improve. Brokers shaving, sheriffs dunning, Politicians pull your sleeve, Printers scolding, wits are punning, Jail-birds begging for reprieve, Preachers warning, idiots ranting, Bacchus, too, hath devotees, Yonder wretch, your wife's gallanting, What a deuced fool is he! Lawyers spouting, clients list'ning. Doctors' prating of their skill, Patients groaning, school boys whistling, Striving all old time to kill. Pedagogues of science telling, Milliners of pretty things Lovers stroll with bosoms swelling, List'ning while the night bird sing3.- Clouds are lowering, tempests howling, Friends suspecting, foes are glad, Children screaming, mistress scowling, Merry bosoms now are sad. Presto! they are gone forever, All is gay as it has been, Sunbeams shine, the girls oh, never! "What a curious world we're in! PERSEVERANCE. BV T. S. ARTHUR. "How far is it from here ta the sun, Jim?" risked Harman Lee of his father's apprentice, James Wallace, in a tone of light railery, it tending by ihe question to elicit some reply mat d exhibit ihe bov's ignorance. James Wallace, a boy of fourteen, turned nis j bright intelligent eyes upon the son of his mas ter, and, after regarding him for a moment, he replied. "I don t know, Harman. ,Jriow lar is u There was something so honest and earnest in tho tone of the boy, that much as Harman had felt at first disposed to sport with his igno rance he could not refrain from giving him a true answer. Still, his contempt for the igno rant apprentice was not to be concealed, and he replied, "Ninety-five millions of miles, you ignoram us " James did not tetort. but repeating over in his mind the distance named, fixed it indelibly upon his memory. On the same evening, after he had finished his day's work, he obtained a small text book on astronomy, which belonged to Harman Lee, and went'up into his garret with a candle, and there, alone, attempted to dive into the myste ries of that sublime science. As he read, the earnestness of his attention fixed nearly every fact upon his mind. So intent was he, that he perceived not tho passage of time, and was on ly called bfk ' a consciousness of where he was, b tl.e uddc n billing of the wick of his candle io the moficd mass of tallow that had filled the cup of his candlestick. In anotherino ment h-a was in tola f darkness. Thecryofjhe watchman told him that the hours had llown, until it was past ten o'clock. Slowly undressing himself in his dark cham ber, his mind rpcurrino u iih a stron? interest ,10 what ho had been reading, he laid down upon fcis hard bed, and. gave full play to his thoughts. Hour after hour passed away, but ho could not fcleep, so absorbed was he-fry receiving. the new and wonderful things ih-at he had read. At last, wearied nature gave way, and he fell off a t . r into a slumber, ruled witn dreams oi planets, moons, comets, and fixed stars. On the next morning, the apprentice boy re sumed his place at the work-bench with a new feeling; and with this feeling was mingled one of regret, that he could not go to school as did his master's son. "But I can study at night, whilo he is asleep," he said to himself. Just then Harman Lee came into the shop, and approaching James, said, for the purpose of teasing him. "How big round is the earth Jim?" "Twenty-five thousand miles," was the prompt answer. Harman looked surprised for a moment, and then responded with a sneer for he was not a kind-hearted boy, but, on the contrary, very selfish, and disposed to injure rather than do good to otheis ' 0 dear! How wonderful wise you are! And no doubt you can tell how many moons Jupiter has? Come, lei's hear!" "Jupiter has four moons," James answered, with something of exultation in his tones. "And no .doubt you can tell how many rings it has?" " Tunitcr has no rintrs. Saturn has rings, g- Q w - and Jupiter belts," James replied, in a decisive tone. For a moment or two. Harman was silent with surprise and mortification, to think that his father's apprentice, whom he esteemed so far below him, should be possessed of knowledge equal to his, on the points in reierence to wnicn he had chosen to question him; and that he should be able to convict him of an error into which he had purposely fallen. "I should like to know how long it is since you became so wonderful wise?" Harman at iength said, with a sneer. "Not very long," James replied, calmly. "I have been reading one of your books on astro nomy " "Well; you're not going to have my books, mister, I can tell you! Anyhow, 1 should like to know what business you have to touch one of them? Let me catch you at it again, and see if I don't cuff you soundly! You'd better, a great deal, be minding your work." "But I didn't neglect my work, Harman. I TPnil at nioht. after T was done mv work. And didn't hurt your book." "I don't care if vou didn't hurt it. You're not going to have my books, I can tell you. So do you just let them alone." Poor Jame's heart sank in his bosom, at this unexpected obstacle thrown so suddenly in his way. He had no money ot nis own 10 ouy, and knew of no one from whom he could borrow the book that had all at once became necessary to his happiness. "Do, Harman," he said, appealingly, "lend me the book. I will take good care of it." "No, 1 won't. And don't j'ou dare to touch it!" was the angry reply. James Wallace knew well enough the sel fish disposition of his master's son, older than him two or three years, to be convinced lhat there was now but little hone of his having the use of his books, excent bv stealth. And from ! that his naturally open and honest principles re volted. All day he thought earnestly over the mnnnc wliorVtr li clintild hft nhlf. tn nhtnin a "V-""J j -i book on astronomy to quench the ardent thirst, that had been created m nis mind. And nignt came without any satisfactory answer being ob tained to his earnest inquiries of his own thoughts. He was learning the trade of a blind-maker. Haviug been already an apprentice for two years, and being industrious and intelligent, he had acquired a readiness with tools and much skill in some parls of his trade. "While sitting alone, after he had finished his work for the day, his mind searching about for some means whereby he could get books, it occurred to him that he might, by working in the evening, earn some money, and with it buy such as he wan ted. JBut iifnvhat manner to turn his work into money, he kew not. It finally occurred to him, that, in passing a house near the shop, he fre quently observed a pair of window blinds with faded hangings and soiled colors. "Perhaps," he said to himself, "if I would do it cheap, they would let me paint, and put new hangings to their blinds." The thought was scarcely suggested, when he was on his feet, moving towards the street. In a few minutes, ho stood knocking at the door of the house, which was soon opened. "Well, my little manf what do you want?" was the kind salutation of the individual who answered the call. James1 now felt confused, and stammered out, "The hangings of your blinds arc a good deal faded." "That's a very true remark, my little man," was the reply, mado in an encouraging tone. "And they want painting, badly." "Also very true," said the man with a good humored smile, for he felt amused with the boy's earnest manner, and novelty of speech. "Wouldn't you like to have them painted, and new hangings put to them?" pursued James. "I don't know. It would certainly improve them vorv much.'' ' ' i "0, yes, sir. They would look just like new. And if you will let me do them, I will fix them all up nice for you cheap." "Will you, indeed? But what is your name and where do you livo?" "My name is James Wallace, and I live with Mr. Lee, the blind-maker. "Do you, indeed? Well, how much will you charge for painting, them, and putting on new hangings?" "1 will do it for two dollars, sir. The hang ings and tassels will cost me three-quarters of a dollar, and the paint and varnish a quarter more. And it will take me two or three eve nings, besides getting up very early in the morning to work for Mr. Lee, so lhat I can paint and varnish them when the sun shines." "But will Mr. Lee let you do this?" "I don't know, sir. But I will ask him." "Very well, my little man. If Mr. Lee does not object, I am willing." James ran back to the house, and found Mr. Lee standing in thejdoor. Much to his delight, his request was granted. Four days from that lime he possessed a book of his own. and had half a dollar with which to buy some other vol ume, when he should have thoroughly mas tered the contents of that. Every night found him poring over this book, and so soon as it was light enough in the morning to see, lie was. up, and reading. Of course, there was much in it that he could not understand, and many terms that defied all his efforts and comparisons of the context, to understand. To help him in this difficulty, he purchased with his remaining half a dollar, at a second-hand book stall, a dictionary. By the aid of this he acquired the information he sought much more rapidly. But the more he read, the broader the unexplored expanse of knowledge appeared to open before him. He did not, how ever, give way to fceling3 of discouragement, but steady devoted every evening, and an hour every morning, to study; whilo all' through the day his mind was pondering over the things he had read, as his hands were diligently employ ed in the labor assigned him. It occurred, just at this lime, lhat a number of benevolent individuals established, in the town where James lived, one of those excel lent institutions, an Apprentices' Library. To this he at once applied, and obtained the books he needed. Instead, however, ot resorting to the library for mere books of amusement, "he borrowed only those from which he could ob tain the rudiments of learning, such as text books of science. He early felt the necessity, from having read a book on Astronomy, with a strong desire to master its contents, for mathematical knowledge, and in ihe effort to acmiire this, he first com- menced studying for he had no preceptorjo guide him a work on Geometry. In working out problems, he used a pair of shop compass es, with a pointed quill upon one of the prongs. And thus, all alone in his garret, frequently un til midnight, none dreaming of his devotion to the acquirement of knowledge did the poor apprentice boy lay the foundation of future em inence and usefulness. We cannof. trace his course, step by step, through a long series of i seven years, though it would aiiora many les sons of perseverance and triumph over almost insurmountable difficulties. But at twenty-one he was master of his trade; and, what was more, had laid up a vast amount of general and scientific information. He was well read in history. Had studied-thoroughly the science of Astronomy, for which he ever retained a lively affection. Was familiar with mathemati cal principles, and could readily solve the most difficult Geometrical and Algebraic problems. His Geographical knowledge was minute; and to this he added tolerably correct information in regard to the manners and customs of differ ent nations. To natural history he had also given much attention. But, with all of his va ried acquirements, James Wallace felt, on at taining the age of manhood, that he knew, comparatively, but little. Let us turn now, for a few moments, to mark the nrosrress which the voung student, in one of I the best seminaries in his native city, and after- wards at college, nad mado. ijiite too many tradesmen, whose honest industry and steady perseverance have gained them a competence, Mr. Lee felt indisposed to' give his son a trade, or to subject him to the same restraints and dis cipline in youth to which he had been subject ed. He felt ambitious for him, and determined io educate him for one of tho learned profess ions. To this end he sent him to school early, and provided for him the very best of instruction. The idea that he was to be a lawyer or a doctor, soon took possession of the mind of Harman, and this caused him to feel contempt for other boys who were merely designed for trades, or store-keepers. Like to., many others, lie had no lore for learning, nor nny right appreciation of its legit imate uses. To be a lawyer, he thought would be much more honorable, than to be a there me chanic; and for this reason alone, as far as he had any thoughts on the subject, did he desire to be a' lawyer.. As for James Wallace, he, as the' poor illiterate apprentice of his father, was Lmost heartily despised, and never ireuicu uy Harman with the smallest degree of kind con sideration. At the age of eighteen, he was serit away to one of the eastern Universities, and there re mainedexcept during the semi-annual vaca tions "until he was twenty years of age; when he graduated, and came home with honorary title of A. B. At this time James Wallace was between seventeen and eighteen years of age, somewhat rough in his appearance, but with a sound mind in a sound body although each day, he regularly toiled at the work-bench, and as regularly-returned to his books when eve ning releas'ed him from labor, and was up at the peep of dawn, to lay the first offerings of his mind upon the shrine of learning. But all this devotion to the acquirement of knowledge, won for him no sympathy, no honorable estimation from his master's sbn. He despised these pa tient, persevering efforts, as much as he despi sed his condition as an apprentice to a trade. But it was not many years before others began to perceive the contrast between them, although on the very day that James completed his term of apprenticeship, Harman was admitted to the bar. The one completed his education bo far as general knowledge, and a rigid discipline of the mind was concerned when he left college. The olher became more really the student when the broader and brighter light of rationality shone clearly on his pathway, as he passed the 'threshold of manhood. James still continued to work at his trade, but not for so many hours each day, as while he was an apprentice. He was a good and fast workman, and could read ily earn all that he required for his support in six or eight hours of every twenty-four, iiight hours were resularlv devoted to study. From some cause, he determined lhat he would make law his nrofession. To the acquirement of a knowledge of legal matters, therefore, he bent all the energies of a we l-disciolined, active and comnrehfcnsive mind. Two years passed away in an untiring devotion to the studies he had assigned himself, and he then made application for admission to ihe bar. " Who were admitted yesterday!" asked Har man Lee, the day after Wallace had passed his examination, addressing a leliow-memoer oi me bar. 4 'Some half a dozen, and among them a stur dy young fellow thai nobody -ever heard of be fore'." " Indeed! Well, what kind of an examina tion did ho make?" " An excellent one. The Judges tried their best with him, but he seemed furnished at eve- ry point, lie is said to be a young mecnanic, who has thus qualified himself in the time that he could spare from the labors of his handi craft, by which he has supported himself." "A mechanic! Pahf Tho whole court room will smell of leather or linseed oil, I suppose af ter this. Did you learn his name?" "James Wallace, 1 believe he is called." "James Wallace! Are you sure?" "Yes, lhat was it. Do you know him? You look sufficiently surprised to know him twice over. "My father had an apprentice by that name, who affected to be. very fond of books, but sure ly it can't be him." "I am sure that I don't know. But here comes a client for you, I suppose. As the latter spoke, a man entered the office, and asked for Mr. Lee. "That is my. name, sir," said Lee, bowing. "Take a chair." The stranger seated himself, and after a mo ment's pause, said, " 1 wish you to attend to a case for me. I have been sued this morning, as executor of an estate, and the claim set up is a very lmpunam uue. 17 The whole case was then stated, with an ex hibition of various documents'. After Lee had come to understand fully its merits, he asked who was the lawyer of the claimants. "A young fellovv, only admitted yesterday, by the name of Wallace. I am told he has it in charge. He was, however, consulted some months ago, and his services retained, to be come active at this time." Lee turned to his friend wilh a smile, and remarked "So it seems that I am doomed first to come in contact with this young mechanic. He is certainly quick on the trigger. Only admitted yesterday, and to-day pushing on a most impor tant suit. But I'll cool him off, I'm' thinking." "You must do your best, sir, for there is much at stake," said the client. , "Rely upon lhat. But don't give yourself a moment's uneaBiness. A few years' experience at the. bar itf always enough to set aside your new-beginners." "I wonder if it can b'e my father's old ap prentice?" the young lawyer remarked', after his pliant linrl frrmn. t. , " rrSotwl eniil. "But wouldn't it be a joke, if he gained tho suit over J you?" iNever fear that!" . "Well, we shall see!" laughingly replied his friend. ,0n the next day, James Wallace, took his seat among the member Of the bar, and marked with a keen interest, ana an uir ui u,icu.5c..v,c, all that passed. 'One or two of the lawyers no ticed him kindly, but the majority Lee among them regarded him with coldness and distance. But nothing of this affected him, if indeed, ho noticed it at all. The cause in which he had been retained, and which proved to be the first in hich he took an active and prominent position in the court room, came up within a week, for all par ties interested in the result were anxious fir it to come td trial, and therefore no legal obstacle were inrown in tne way. There was a nrofound silence, and a marked attention and interest, when the young stranger nrnse in the court room to open the case. A smile of contempt, as he did so, curled the hp of Harman Lee, but Wallace saw it noi. x im prominent points of the case were presented in a plain, but concise language, to the court; and u few remarks bearing uoon the merits of the case being made, the young lawyer took his seat, and gave room lor the delence likewise to define their position. Instantly Harman Lee was on nis ieei, aim began referring to tho points presented by his "very learned brother, in a tuppani, comempi uous manner. There were those present who marked the light, that kindled in the eye of Wal lace, and the flash that passed over his counte nance at the first contemntuous word and tone that were uttered bv his antagonist at the bar. Thede soon gave place to attention, and an air of conscious power. Once on his feet, with so flimsy a position to tear into tatters, as that which his "learned brother" had presented, Lee seemed never to grow tired of the tearing pro cess. Nearly an hour had passed away when he resumed his seat with a look of exultation, which was followed by a pitying and coniempl uous smile, as Wallace again slowly arose. Ten minutes, however, had not passed, when that smile had changed to a look of surprise, mortification, and alarm, all blended into a sin gle expression. The young lawyer's maiden speech showed him to be a man of calm, deep, systematic thought well skilled in points of law, and in authorities; and more than all, a lawyer of practical and comprehensive views. When he sat down, no' important point in the case had been left untouched, and none that had been touched, required further elucidation. Lee followed, briefly, in a vain attempt to tor ture his language, and break down his positions. But he felt that he was contending with wea pons whose edges were turned at every blow. When he took hi3 seat again, Wallace merely remarked that he was prepared, without further argument, to submit the case to the court. The case was accordingly submitted, and a decision unhesitatingly made in faor of the plaintiffs, or Wallace's clients. From that hour, James Wallace took his true position. The despised apprentice became the able and profound lawyer, and was esteemed for real talent and real moral worth, which, when combined, ever place their possessor in his true position. Ten years from lhat day, Wallace was ele" vated to the bench, while Lee remained: a sec" ond-rate lawyer, and never rose above that po sition. In the histories of these two persons is seen tho difference between simply receiving an ed ucation, as it is called, and self-education. Most eminent men are self-educated. This fact, ev ery student and every humble apprentice, with limited advantages should bear in mind. It should infuse new life into the studies' of the one, and inspire the other with a determination to imbue his mind with knowledge. The edu cation that a boy receives at colleges and sem inaries does not make him a learned man. He has only a'cquired the rudiments of knowledge. Beyond these he must go he must continue, ever after, a student or others will" leave him in the rear others of humbler means and few er opportunities the apprentice of the handi craftsman, for instance, whose few hours of de votion to study, from a genuine lore of learning, have given him a taste and a' habit, lhat remain with him m all after time. Tlie late Mr. CJriizIe. A very worthy fisherman by the name of Grizzle was drowned some time since, and all search for his body proved unavailing. After it had been in the water some months, it was discovered floating on the surface and taken to the shore, whereupon Mr. Smith was despatch ed to convey the intelligence to the afflicted Widow: Mr. Smith Well, Mrs. Grizzle, we have found Mr. Grizzle's body. Mrs. Grizzle You do'nt say so ! Mr. S'.Yes wo have the jury have sot on it, and found it full of eels. Mrs. G. You don't say Mr. Grizzle's body is full of eels? Mr S. Yes it is, and we want to know what you will have done with it ? f n xn... linn) mn Mrs. G. Why. how many eels should you. think thore is in him ? Mr. S. Win', about a bushel. Mrs. G. Well, thon, I tninfc you naq oettei send'the eels-up to the house and set him againK t
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers