Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-04-02
TILE -FOUR epIsrAREENs.

When John was about thirteen years
old, he left his parental roof in New Jer-
sey, and went TO Philadelphia 10 learn a
trade. He entered rs an apprentice with
his brother, coachmaker. He was fire.
quenllysent to drug store for half gal.
Ion of oil, for which he was accustomed to
pay twenty five cents. BUTT happened
in some time that oil fell, and the price
was only twenty cents. Not being inform
ed of This, and taking with him one dol
lar note, he presented il. and received in
change-not as he expected, three quar-
ters Of a dollar, bat four pislareens, of The
value of twenty ceuts each. John sup
posed they were quarters, and that the
druggist had given him -four instead Of
three.
He had been taught when child to be
honest. He knew that it was as dishon
est 10 take advantage Of apolher's mislak
to obtain what was not bis own, as to cheat
in any other way. His frstinpulse, there
fore, was to return one of the pieces to the
man /; bu, before he had time to carry out
his feelings into practice, Satan and the
evil in his own heart tempted him; the
thought occurred that he would give three
of Them to his brother, as The supposed
right change, and keep the fourth for him
self. He closed bis hand upon the fourth,
took up his jug and left the store.
The jug had no handle, and he had to
carry it by string tied around its neck.
This so cut his fingers, that after changing
it from ono hand 10 The other several times,
he was compelled TO stop twice and rest,
doubling each time whether 10 go Oil or
turn back with The money.
The next corner brought John third
time 10 stand. Rest relieved the smart
ness Of his hands, but the cuttings Of bis
conscience were not so easily prevented.
He medilated some minutes, and con-
science now came urgent in its demands.
But he was ashamed TO go back. He
wished he had obeyed his first honest i'm
pulse. He felt very unhappy, but he mus,
not delay. He had already been long
time about his errand. He took up his
Jug, and was undecided whe,herto go for
wards or re.uru. He stood one moment,
and determined togo back
II was hard task to lrudge back three
long squares with heavy jug without
handle; and more than once he had al
most determined 10 give up his honest res
olulion. But he persevered, reached The
store, and set down bis load. "You have
given me too much change" said he, pre-
senting the four pislareens 10 Hr. W,
"you have given me four quarter dollars
instead of three"
"You have yourright changes" said Mr..
W, ':rhe oil is twenty cents, and
those four pieces are not quarter dollars,
they are twenty cent pieces. Here is a
quarter" continued the benevolent store
keeper. taking one from his drawer,
(which | will give you. You can notice
the difference between them as you go
home; and let me advise you always to
deal as honestly as you have done 10 day."
Who eau imagine the feelings Of the boy
when he saw The true state of the matter,
and knew in an Instant that had he perse-
vered in his sinful project he must from
the very nature of the circumstances have
been discovered
Had I carried ou, my first Intentions"
said he to me; when he related the anec-
dote, II should have handed my brother
three Of the pistareens: He would, of
course, have asked for the balance, and ]
should have been driven.to add falsehood
10 my crime, by sayirg that was all he
gave me. In all probability should have
been detec,edi and sen; back to my father
in disgrace. IL would have STAMPED nv
character with dishonesty, from which /
might never have recovered" AS i, was,
he picked up bis jug, and with lighh
hear, and rapid step proceeded up the
street. He was so rejoiced at the happy
result, and so thankful for bis preserVa-
ton. that he set out on ruin, and did mol
feel The string cut his fingers. During
thirly-five years that he lived after this
event, he never forgot the lesson it taugh,
him he became most excellent citizen,
and always said-"HoncSty is the best
policy"