A clamp mechanism for assisting a bricklayer or mason worker in positioning and aligning a next row of bricks being laid upon a previous row of bricks using an alignment string is provided. One end of the alignment string is secured in a desired position adjacent the previous row of bricks. The clamp mechanism comprises a clamp having a first clamp arm and a second clamp arm. A spring mechanism biases the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm in a general direction toward each other. A string receiving mechanism is associated with the clamp for receiving a portion of the alignment string. Upon the alignment string being secured to the string receiving mechanism and the clamp being positioned upon a brick in the previous row of bricks, the alignment string indicates the proper positioning and alignment of the next row of bricks.