The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales in Verse Part 14

One bitter night, some loyal Volunteers Were quartered on him; and he told his fears, That much of comfort could not there be found, In such a room, with all his fixtures round.

One made reply which went to WILLIAM'S heart, And proved _that man_ had "chosen the good part"-- "'Tis better," said he, "than our Savior had; Of such a lodging He would have been glad!"

Our hero, with his _hand-tools_ got along, At best, but slowly; and sometimes went wrong.

It was no easy thing to ascertain What kind of goods a ready sale would gain.

His brother Tinsmith showed no friendly spirit; He deemed him far too low in workman-merit!

And threatened vauntingly to drive him out: But G.o.d's rich blessing compa.s.sed him about!

His patterns he contrived, as best he could; And every month, as _tradesman_, firmer stood.

His constant visits to his future bride, Much of sweet pleasure every time supplied.

Rare worth and beauty did the maid possess; To see her was to taste of happiness!

She was too lovely, and too gentle, far, For one whose mind was very oft ajar; So humble, that she left her father's house, With all its comforts, to become his spouse.

The home which he for that fair girl provided, By most young la.s.ses would have been derided.

'Twas just the farthest half of his rude shop, Lined with planed boards on all sides, and the top; Quite small in size, 'twas amply furnished, With stove, three chairs, a table, box and bed!

In March, his natal month, through sleet and rain, He bore his wife, who did not once complain.

No _wedding jaunt_ could their small means afford, Yet they had pleasure in true love's accord;'

And what they lacked in way of outward show, Was quite made up by warm affection's glow.

They were a happy couple, with warm hearts: Both striving eagerly to act their parts.

If ever twain were blended into one, 'Twas in their case, as all who knew them own.

He, working soon and late to rid his debt; She taking care of all he chanced to get.

And, with sweet smiles upon her face, Dispelling of despondency each trace.

Too soon, the place in which their bliss begun.

Was made too hot by our Canadian sun.

A Bakery below, Sol's rays above, With heat from stove made them most glad to move.

They next obtained a shop which answered well; For all he made, they could most freely sell.

This place, however, they were forced to quit In three months after they had entered it.

More than one person had on it a claim, And each law-suit fanned their litigious flame, Until at length it went to Chancery, And that sage Court could on this thing agree-- To have it closed forthwith! And thus our friends Were forced to move, once more, to gain their ends.

Each move brought double rent; but this became A thing remembered only by its name.

Trade still increased, as did Experience, too, And WILLIAM now had more than he could do.

But by this time he had a.s.sistance found In his wife's brother, as apprentice bound; A youth most active, and good-natured, too, Who took delight in what he had to do.

The shop to which they went--last on the street-- Was, as a residence, to them most sweet.

Almost in front, a river calmly flowed; Close by, a plain wood bridge the stream bestrode.

There, he could stand at his shop door and view A scene which called up feelings ever new.

Above the bridge, for nearly half a mile, It is most lovely, clad in Summer's smile.

Tall trees, of various kinds, its margins grace, While it flows on, with ever gentle pace, Past two small islands; each one like a gem Set in the stream so softly pa.s.sing them.

There, often has he sat, on summer's eve, With his fair bride, both loath the scene to leave.

Lit up by Luna's beams, 'twould larger seem, And scope afford for sweet poetic dream.

One island he would picture as the site Of a neat mansion, where he might, at night, Retire from business cares to take a boat.

And on the surface of the river float With his most charming--his most loving wife; Content to leave behind all worldly strife.

Such freaks would Fancy play, when he inclined To let her reign sole Monarch of his mind!

Yet, when the spell was broke, the sweets of home Were such, that from them he ne'er wished to roam.

And thus days, weeks and months most smoothly pa.s.sed, Till Winter came, each beauteous scene to blast.

Now, with new hopes, alas! came fears as well, The strength of which it is not mine to tell.

But those who once have fond, young husbands been, May well conceive what hopes and fears I mean.

Scarce bad December sealed the Frost-King's reign, Ere these true hearts a Love's-pledge did obtain.

Protracted labor, bringing sore distress, Came nigh extinguis.h.i.+ng their happiness!

This oft led WILLIAM to the Mercy Seat; And, oh, his visits there were truly sweet!

Nor was it vain; two precious lives were spared, And the young parents were, afresh, prepared To grapple with their duties--growing large-- Conscious of weakness in their full discharge.

The babe proved cross and fretful; and, for years, Frequent convulsive fits filled them with fears; And quite unfitted her, in after life, For bearing a just share of toil and strife.

This proved an exercise for faith and prayer, Until the fully felt that G.o.d's kind care Would be extended o'er their suffering child; And this thought made their souls more reconciled, To bear with patience this great, frequent trial, Which called on them so much for self-denial.

A growing interest now in Church affairs Filled that young father's mind with weighty cares.

At this my readers need not be surprised; Nor should my notice of it be despised.

That Church on Scripture truth had ta'en its stand, And wished to bend alone to G.o.d's command-- To copy, in their government, the plan Marked out by Christ, when first His Church began.

Now they sought one well qualified to take The Elder's office--not for lucre's, sake, Nor "as a lord o'er G.o.d's own heritage"-- But one who humbly would, with warmth, engage To do His bidding, and bear peaceful rule O'er that small Church-that it might prove a school For Saints to grow in strict conformity To G.o.d's just will-as they that will may see.

One soon they found, who had for years been tried: Who by Paul's test was willing to abide; Well knowing the advice which he had given To Ephesian Elders; and how he had striven To labor with his hands for the support Of self and friends, oft made the worldling's sport.

Let none imagine that this flock obtained Another's labor for some selfish end; Large sums they raise to help the suffering poor, And freely give of their superfluous store To send the Bible into heathen lands-- And that while all are laboring with their hands.

This testimony I would bear of them; 'Tis strictly true, whoever may contemn.

As deacons they chose WILLIAM and another, Who was regarded as a worthy brother.

In G.o.d's pure sight they viewed themselves unfit For such high office; yet accepted it In deference to their brethren, who made choice Of them at once, without dissenting voice.

'Twas thus it came that he had many cares, Beside his family's and trade's affairs.

In preaching now he took his regular turn, And, though but weakly, did with ardor burn To tell poor sinners of a Savior's love, Or Saints instruct in lessons from Above.

He 'midst those labors found, with sore distress, A constant warfare mar his happiness.

Dyspepsia-fell disease-his stomach seized, And, like a demon, would not be appeased; But made his temper, far too quick and warm, By frequent outbursts often work him harm.

This grieved the heart of his beloved wife, And might have led to constant family strife, Had not the Lord to him his folly shown, By greater chastis.e.m.e.nt than he had known.

And now our friends possessed sufficient means To pay their debt, or purchase those machines Which tinsmiths use; and WILLIAM asked his friend If he, conveniently, could longer lend What they were owing him? His kind reply Led COOPER soon the needful tools to buy.

This was an era in their history, And they most gladly work more actively In manufacturing their humble wares, Or giving to old things their due repairs.

While freely pus.h.i.+ng their close labor through, They still found plenty for the two to do; Which called on them for greater thankfulness To their kind G.o.d, who did their business bless.

While thus engaged, pray tell me where's the wrong, If they should sing the following "Tinsmith's Song?"

TINSMITH'S SONG.

What though our bench labor rob us of the favor Enjoyed by the farmer, 'midst fair Country scenes; What though 'tis confining to make up tins s.h.i.+ning, There's naught in the trade which our conduct demeans, Then ply the shears, since it appears That our calling is honest and fair; Yet take good heed, lest, in our speed, We should send from our hands leaky ware!

In using the folder we then may grow bolder, And form and groove pans with our consciences clear; Drive each of the turners with skill beyond learners, And put in stout wire with our hearts full of cheer.

Then take a burr and make it whirr, As the bottoms spin round like a "top;"

And fit these tight, which is but right If we wish a good name for the shop.

In this case the setter will do the work better, And strong double seams will repay all our pains; But slight not the soldering, or customers ordering Their work at our hands will begrudge us our gains.

This we can do and yet push through Quite a good share of labor each day, And in our sales of pans or pails Boldly ask those who buy for our pay.

We thus may be working, no selfishness lurking Within, though the weather be cloudy or cold; And lawfully striving our trade still be driving From far better motives than mere thirst for gold.

Then we may serve and never swerve From strict duty's plain, straightforward path, Our country's weal with fervid zeal By skill which each artisan hath.

O! then our bench labor may bring us the favor Of a jaunt now and then midst the forests and fields, Which pleasure so joyous can never annoy us, If health and contentment it constantly yields.

Then ply the shears, since it appears That our calling is honest and fair; Yet take good heed lest in our speed.

We should send from our hands leaky ware.

And now these parents' hearts were rendered glad By a sweet babe as ever parents had; A lovely boy, a precious first-born son, An April flower ere Spring had well begun.

Thus were their family and cares increased While pleasure was not lessened in the least.