Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-10-16

lus
accordingly indentured himself 10 house-car.
penter, and, while engaged in learning the bust.
ness he obtained copy of the Life OF franklin
which he studied with great attention, i'm order,
as he said, to acquire knowledge of proper ha-
bits OF economy, and not with any notion of be-
coming philosopher. He persevered, became
master of his trade, worked with success as a
journeyman, removed to Washington, and in 1886
had accumulated enough to build two or three
houses. A balance was still due on them, how
ever, and the troubles of 1887 coming OH, adver-
slty overlook him, his property was sold by the
sheriff, and he was again reduced to poverty
But he remembered his boyhood, the destitu,ion
OF that period of his life, the manner in which
he had overcome adversely by perseverance, and
he determined nerer 10 gire up.
Ills worldly wealth consisted of one bed and
little furniture, and with this nigoardly provi-
sion for such an undertaking, he consulted his
better half, (tor, like wise man, he had married
the moment he felt able to take care of wife,
who was true and brave hearted woman, and
they determined to make an effort TO obtain one
or two boarders. Two young friends agreed to
assist them in the way proposed, and to these
was awarded the only bed in the house, while
the husband and wife procured few bundles of
straw, upon which they slept soundly and hap
fortune frightened again, employment was pro-
cured, savings were laid by, the journeyman be-
came master carpenter, he obtained one two
contracts from Government, and although not vet
thirty years of aye, he is in easy and indepen-
dent, il not in affluent circumstances.
He concluded his brief story by remarking
that 1t would afford him infinite pleasure, if the
old friend to whom he had thus strangely intro
duced himself after an absence of more than
twenty years, would, while he remained in Wash
ington make his house his home. He said that
there were still many recollectons of his early
years, which he cherished with delight, and that
on recent visit to Philadelphia, he had wander
ed over the haunts of his childhood and endea-
vored TO learn something OF the history of his
youthful companions-most of them like himself,
children of distress and poverty. In the maiori-
ty OF cases, the results were melancholy. Poor,
trlendless, and to some extent, deserted-but few
had wrestled with and risen above the untoward
circumstances by which they had been surround
eG. There were cases, however, in which pa
thence, perseverance, and constant appeals to and
dependence upon Providence, had lifted the or
phan, the outcast and the beggar from lowly
condition of penury and trial, and rendered them
good citizens, devoted husbands, kind parents,
useful and valuable members of society. But he
added the doctrine, of all who Gepressed-of
the children of toll and misfortune, no matter
how dark the present may seem, should be-per-
severe-persevere-neoer giUe up. For who, be
continued-who may read the future-who may
foretell the event of single year, And he was
right In the language of deep tbinker-'4a-
ties are ours, but events are God's.' "Clouds
and darkness" may lower to-day-but sunshine
and prosperity tomorrow. Let US struggle ON
then-let us never despair.
'Never give up! there chances and changes
Helping the hopeful hundred 10 ons,
And, through the chaos, High Wisdom arrangcs
Ever succcss-if you'll only hope on;
Never give up for the wiscst is boldcst,
i'm " al Prot iHpnp ninaiss fhnc
And OF all maxims the best, the oldest,
is the true watchword OF "Neyer give up"