Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic

ford, when you arrive at St. Louis?" asked Mr. Gracewood,

cal business," I replied. "I want to learn a trade. I don't think

ave no doubt you will make a good mechanic, for you are handy in the use of tools; and

ob to do. Nothing pleases me so much as to study

pursuit is to have a taste for it

I have learned a trade, I s

t keep jumping from one thing to another. Frequent ch

rather finished learning it, there wil

What trade do yo

enter's,

infinite variet

very much like every other one, I don't think I could be c

you must stick to your

t if I can do better

ery sure that you can do

learn my trade, I shall alwa

ur mind that fickleness of purpose is fatal to any r

strange; and every day, as the settlements on the banks of the great river increased in number and extent, afforded me a new sensation. As I had been brought up far away from the haunts of civilization, even a house was a curiosity to m

, from early in the morning until late at night. The parties thus engaged were surrounded by a crowd of curious observers, watching the turnings of the game, and perhaps calculating their own chances if they engaged in the wretched busines

he business, and assured me that the gamblers who had come on board at St. Joseph were of the vilest class of men. After his lecture I was not tempted to try my hand with the party at the table. The talk a

ly while we had so many suspicious characters on board. I was alarmed, and looked around to discover who had observed me. One of the passengers, who had come on board at "St. Joe," was promenading the deck, and I had noticed that he passed quite near me sever

h the wood was brought in flatboats, though a young forest was growing in the region around the landing. As it was too damp for his wife and daughter to walk, Mr.

?" I asked of the captain,

till morning,

tay here

to Leavenworth, which is not more than seven miles from her

g, and I was anxious to see the inside of a civilized house. However, we could make the visit the next day, f

iver," said a young man, c

hall probably have to lie h

I had observed on the hurricane deck when I was counting my money

kened; for I had heard Mr. Gracewood speak of s

, they were holding them every evening i

like to go

is," continued the young

o if the boat

than three or four miles a

go with you very

very glad of

ew moments, I will sp

to the saloon. When I had stated my d

person with whom you

k there can be any danger in going with a young man who i

ould really like t

" interposed Mrs. Gracewood. "If we cou

l ask him if one cannot be o

t he would send a party of three in the steamer's boat, if they wou

as three?" asked Mr. Gracewood, w

two oarsmen. I lost my boat going up the river, and I had

lk," I added. "I will

d. Go to the landing when y

immediately for our destination, and passing through the grove of young

know your name,"

ord; but my frie

. Louis," replied he. "He used to be a large

to r

all his property. He is a p

e a fa

ars ago. She was a very pretty woma

wife were on board a steamer whic

er d

it was not probable that he was in any manner related to me. My curiosity was sati

ame burned on the Missouri abo

and did not come to St.

omething about that boat, Mr.

he replied, with some hesitation, so that I wondered whe

, but an instinct of politene

ow in regard to that st

of her, and I should like to ascer

ch him when he is sober, which is not very often. I

hall be under very great obliga

g man, and I was glad to know him, especially as