II. Shoemakers Who Became Famous
That evening, when the family was seated around the library table, Mr. Duwell brought out a book and took up Wallace’s question.
“Here is a book,” he said, “that tells many facts about shoemakers who became noted men. Let me read about some of them.
“‘One of our most famous American poets, John Greenleaf Whittier, in early life, was a shoemaker. Whittier never forgot the lessons he learned while working at the shoemaker’s bench. His book of poems, called Songs of Labor, printed in 1850, contains a stirring poem about shoemakers.’
“Here are two other famous men,” said Mr. Duwell, turning the page he was reading.
“‘Among noted Americans who were shoemakers was Roger Sherman, of Con-nec-ti-cut. He was a member of the Congress of 1774. Sherman was one of the brave men who signed the Dec-lar-a-tion of In-de-pen-dence.
“‘At least one vice-president of the United States was a shoemaker—Henry Wilson, who was made vice-president when General Grant became president in 1872. He was often called “the Na-tick Cobbler,” because he was once a shoemaker in the town of Natick.’
“So you see, Wallace,” Mr. Duwell went on after a little pause, “the kind of work you do doesn’t matter so much. It is how well you do it that makes the difference.”
“I think I do see, father,” said Wallace. “Maybe, after all, I’ll be a shoemaker. Then, perhaps, I’ll become a poet or vice-president of the United States.”
Everybody laughed.
“Wouldn’t you rather be a tailor?” asked Ruth.
“I don’t believe I should stand as good a chance then,” replied Wallace.
“I am not so sure,” said Mr. Duwell laughing. “Andrew Johnson was a tailor, and he became President of the United States; but all mother and I hope for, son, is that you will become a useful, well-educated man.”