Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-05-25
rAIrHFuLNEss IN LITTLETHINc


but neatly dressed boy of twelve or thIr-
teen, TO a clerk. as he stood by the conn
ter of large book store.
The well paid clerk regarded the boy
with a supercilions look, and answered.
Mr., Harris is in but he is engaged at pre-
sent
The boy looked s.t the clerk hesitaling
| ily, and then said, if he is not particu-
llarly enga ged, should like much TO see
i him.
Ifyou have any business to transact.
lean attend to it, replid The clerk; Mr..
Harris cannot be troubled with children
like YOU,
what is this. Mr.. Morleyg' said a
pleasant looking elderly man, stepping
up to the clerk what does The boy
want f-
He insisted on seeing You, though /
told him you We're engaged, !, returned tho
clerk. a little abashed by the manner Of
his employer. -s5s
And what would you have with me,
my lad 2 injured Mr.. Harris, kindly.
The boy raised his eyes, and meeting
the half scornful glance of the clerk, said
t:midly,
Il wish to look at the bill OF some books
which j bought here about three months
since. There is a mistake in it which
wish to correct
'Ah, my boy, see.' replied Mr.. Hm-
1 ris, you have oserpaid us, sup-
pose?
No, SIR answered the boy. '0n the
contrary, purchased some books which
are. not charged on the bill. and ] have
lcalled to pay you for them -s
Mr.. Harris folded his arms across his
breast, regarded the boy earnestly for n
moment. and then asked, when did you
discover this mistake ?
: Not until reached home, replied the
LAD. When 1 paid for the books / WAS
] in a great hurry, fearing the boat would
leave before | could reach it, aud did not
examine the BILL
WHY did YOU not return and rectify
the mistake p asked the gentleman in n
tone slightly altered.
Because, sir, l live at some distance
from the city, and have not been able 10
return until now t &
my dear boy" said Mr.. Harris. You
have given me great pleasure. In a long
life of mercantile busincs, l have never
met with an instance Of this kind before.
You have acted nobly and deserve re-
compense.'
Il ask no recompense, returned the boy,
proudly, Il have done nothing but my
duty, simple act of justice. and that de-
serves no reward but Itself
May ask who taught you such noble
principles p inquired Mr.. Harris.
Ny mother answered the boy, burst
ing into tears =, 'F
Blessed is the child who has such
mother, said Mr.. Harris, with much emo
ton, and blessed IS the mother of such a
child. Be faithful TO her tenchings, my
dear boy, and you win be the staff Of her
declining years
Alas, SIR sobbcd the boy, !" she is
dead. 1t was her sickness and death
which prevented me from coming hero
before
What is your name?' inquired MFR.
Harris. sees
Edward Delong.'
Have You fatherT
No. sir, my father died when | was an
infant
Where do you reside p -
In the town Of Linwood, about fifty
miles from this city
We'll, my boy. what were the books
which were forgotten 2
'Tacitus, aud Latin dictionary
Let me see the bill. Hal signed by a.
c. Morley. / will see 70 that. Here, Mr..
Morley, called Mr.. Harris, but that func-
tionary was busily engaged in waiting on
a customer at the opposite end OF the store,
bowing and smiling in the most obscqnicus
manner.
Edward continued the kind d-henrtcd
Mr. Harris, am going 70 reward YOU