The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-14
For the National Era
TIMOTHY WORTHINGTONs CONVERSATIONS
WITH HIS SON.

Timothy Worthington sat in his arm chair,
musiDg. He was about seventy years old; his
face wore that mixed expression of shrcwdness
and caution often observed in men who have,
by slow and toilsome progress, worked their
way to comfortable property and highly
respectable position in society. Such, indeed,
was Mr.. W0rthington's fortune. Commencing
in life u poor boy, he had, with cautious
tread, butieted the storms OF the world, now
turning aside to avoid their fury, and now,
when favorable opportunity offered, moving
forward, with q quicker pace, to the goal OF
his efforts In his opinions, as well as in his
business, he had always watched the popular
tide with an eager eye, and success had reward
ed him. In his old age he was permitted to
enjoy the fruits of his labor in woll-earned
and the title Of Squire, given to
him in consideration of his having for several
years held the Office of justice Of tho peace,
showed that he was of no mean consideration
among his fellow.townsmen.
At the time ut which attention has been
called to him, the old gentleman, as We have
said sat musing; shade OF unusual anxiety
rested upon his face, and the gray locks fall
ing upon his shoulders gave to him something
of a venerable appearance A short distance
from him sat his son Peter, whiting and
whistling The old man loved his boy, and
Peter, as dutiful son, believed everything his
father believed, and made his every precept
his own rule Of action.
"Peter, my SON. said Mr.. Worthington.
Peter Immediately put his knife into his
pocket, and, as was his won't when thus ad-
dressed, with reverential dir gave 10 his father
his undivided attention.
"Peter, want you to be great man.
The boy looked surprised, and then dropped
bis head, it never having entered his mind that
he could be anything more than an unoouth
driver of oxen.
"Peter, you can do it, take my word for II
you can do it, you've got the grit in you, only
let 1t out. Do rs tell you, and you can be
Congressman, jest as well as anything
Peter again bent upon his father dutiful
regard, which seemed TO say that he was will.
ing to follow his advice in everything and the
Did man, drawing himself up with an air Of
digniied authority, proceeded to instruct the
boy in the WELDON Of practical life.
always think before you act Peter. I've
known many q smart young man used up, by
Toolishly following his own Judgment when
everybody else thought he was wrong Tho
fact is If you want 10 get the name OF being
wise, among your neighbors, you must think as
hey do. What IL they do sometimes think
wrongl You won't DO able TO convince Thorn
If IL; and you'd better know you're wrong
md have other folks think you're right than
10 know you're right and have everybody else
shink you're wrong What's man worth in
he world, If his neighbors all think he's q
Iooll No, no, my son! You mustn't be 70
Ioolish Us to set yourself up in opposition to
hem that's older than you. You must gt the
good opinion Of your neighbors at ell hazards
And when you've got this take my word for 1t
you'll 90 ahead in the world. Look ut our big
men what is il that has brought them up 90
,ighl Our great politicians, for instance. DO
1ou spose they'd ever got into such high offices,
{ they'd been forever fighting the opinions
# their constituents? No, sir; IT'S becauoe
hey think jest ms other people do, that other
people like them 70 well; and the great differ