Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-16
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
The -Four Pistareens.

Ih0 Fpuf PtBLhFeGnk.
When John was about thirteen years old, he
left his paterna root, in the north of New Jer-
sey and went to philadelphia to learn trade.
He entered rs an apprentice with his brother
coachmakor in the northern part of the city.
On certain occasion he was sent to a drug
store for half gallon of oil. He had frequently
been sent on a similar errand, and had been
accustomed to pay 25 cents for the oil But it
happened that oil had fallen, and the price was
now only 20 cents, of which, however, he was
not informed He had taken with him, to pay
for the oil, a onc-dolar note; and having obtain
cd the article, he presented the note, and re-
ceived in change--nOt as he expected, three
quarters of dollar, but four pistareens, of the
value of 20 cents john who was ignorant of
their value, supposed they were quarters of a
dollar and that the druggist had given him
four instead of three.
He had been taught, when a child, to be hon.
est 'Heknew that he ought to do to others as
he would have others do to him and that it
was as dishonest to take advantage of another's
mistake to take what was not his own, as to
cheat in any other way His first impulse,
therefore, was to return one of the pieces to the
man but before he had time to carry out his
feelings into practice, Satan and the evil in his
own heart tempted him the thought occurred
llC WOulu SiSC VI oilC w
as the right change, and keep the fourth for
himself He closed his hand upon the money
took up his jug, and left the store.
The jug in which he carried the oil had no
handle, and he had to carry it by a string tied
around its neck. This so cut his fingers, that
after changing it from one hand to the other
several times, he was compelled to stop at the
distance of square and rest, which he did at
the first and the second corner, doubling each
time whether to 90 on or turn back with the
| money
The next corner brought John third time
| to stand. Rest relieved the smartings of his
hands, but the cuttings of his conscience were
not so easily prevented. He meditated some
minutes Conscience now became urgent in its
demands But he was ashamed to go back He
wished he had obeyed his first honest impulse.
He felt very unhappy, but he must not delay.
He had already been good while about his cr-
rand, He took up his jug. He was undecided
whether to go forward or to return. He stood
one moment and determined ITO 20 back
1t was a hard task to trudge back three
long squares with heavy jug without handle
and more than once he had almost determined
to give up his honest resolution. But he perse-
vered, reached the store and sat down his load.
You have given me too much change" said
he, presenting the four pistareens to Mr.. W;
you have given me four quarter dollars instead
of three
"You have your right change" said Mr..
w; the oil is 90 cents, and those four pieces
are not quarter dollars; they are twenty-cent
pieces Here is quarter" continued the be-
nevolcnt 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 to-day"
Who can imagine the feelings of the boy
when he saw the true state of the matter, and
knew in an instant that had he persevered in
his sinful project, he must, from the very nature
Of the circumstances, have been discovered
" Had carried out my first Intentions" said
he to me, when he related the anecdote, I" |
should have handed my brother three of the
pstareens. He would of course have asked for
the balance, and should have been driven to
add falsehood to my crime, by saying that was
all he gave me- In all probability should have
been detected, and sent back to my father in
disgrace. ltwould have stamped my character
with dishonesty, from which | might never
have recovered" AS it was, he picked up his
Jug, and with light heart and rapid step pro-
ccedcd up the street, He was SO rejoiccd at
the happy result, and so thankful for his pres.
orvation, that he set out on a run, and did not
feel the string cut his fingers. During thirty
five years that he lived after this event. he
never forgot the lesson it taught him he be-
came most excellent man and true Chris
tian, and throughout his life, in private business
and in public Office, ever acted under the firm
conviction that "honesty as the best policy"
Locust Lane 1852.