Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-02-04
The Girl with the Tin Pail.

The Girl with the Tin Pail
| Some twenty years ago was an appren-
tice boy in the then Getty of Mud,h now
| the aoodly city of Rochester. The business
of which was obtaining knowledge, was
conducted upon Exchange-street, though l
boarded in one of the streets in the western
part of the city.
In going to my tea, was in the habit of
meeting, almost every evening, tor many
weeks in succession, small girl, with a
pail in her hand. At length my curiosity
became excited, and resolved 10 ascertain
if possible, the daily Grand of the girl:
Having met her the following evening |
accordingly turned on my heel, and followed
her at distance that wonld not excite sus-
| picion in any one. at length saw her
enter small shoe. makers shop on S. ST..
| Paul street. | subsequently learned that
| shop was owned by an industrious young
man, an excellent mechanic, and that he
was the girls husband He had been mar
ried few months and possessing no other
capital than a good name and robust con-
stitution, had resolved 10 economic by
hiring house in the suburbs of the city.
His breakfast was always ready for him
by daybreak, and taking his dinner with
him he saved the hour each day which
most persons spend in going and In coming
from that meal. Many economists would
have been satisfied with the saving of so
much time as this between the rising and
going down of the sun, but not so with the
youug shoemaker. He also wished TO save
the hour usually devoted to tea. and there
fore had that meal taken to him by his
pretty little wife. This arrangement ena-
bIed him to spend the whole day and as
much Of the evening IS he chose in his
shop. The industrious habits of the shoe
maker were soon discovered, and met with
their due reward. Customers focked in
upon him, and he was obliged not only to
rent larger shop, but 10 employ an addi-
tional number of wotkmen. But the increase
of business did not win him from the plan
he had early adopted for the saving OF time
this third meal still having been taken to
him by his wife, in the tin pail.
About this time left the city and did not
return for about twelve years. had not,
however, forgotten the shoemaker, having
from my first knowledge of him, discovered
the germ of success in his manner OF life.
l visited the place where his shop had
stood; it had given place 10 new brick
block In vain looked about for the sign
it was no where to be seen. was at
length informed by friend that about two
years previous he had removed to Ohio.
ado you know anything Of his circum-
stancess" inquired.
II do In the first place, he took to Ohio
with him about five thousand dollars in
cash, some three thousand of which he in
vested in real estate near Cincinnati, from
which he has realized three times the
amount The other two thousand he put
into pork establishment, and that sum
yielded him large profit. But if he had
not resorted to speculation added my
friend, abe could not but have succeeded
in life, so thorough were his business habits,
and especially as these habits were seconded
by an industrious little wife"
have recently returned from visit 10
Ohio, and have again seen the shoemaker
and his wife. He is now in the prime of
life, and possesses an ample fortune, and an
unsulllied reputation for honor and probity.
Never having had any personal acquain-
lance with him, introduced myself as
Rochesteronian. This was late in the AFTER
noon. l very cheerfuly accepted an invi-
tation to take tea with him. Improving
moment Of silence at the table, remarked.
81 fear, Mr.. H., you are not SO great an
economist as you used to be 2"
"Why not?" he inquired.
"When first became acquainted with
Mrs. H., you could not afford to go home to
tea, and she used to carry it to you"
ain little tin pail" said she, bursting
into laugh. -..-. =~-- ~
Exactly"
"Indeed, Mr.. w. have you known It's SO
long?"
l then made myself known as the former
apprentice of Mr.. R.. and was Immediately
recognised by Mrs. H, as one Of her early
street acquaintance in Rochester.
"But that pail; what do YOU think has
become of thatw asked Mr.. H.,
@That, suppose has been long since
numbered with the things that were," |
answered.
"By no means" said he at the same
time tipping wink to his wife.
She arose from the table and left the room,
and soon returned with the Identical pail, as
they both assured me. need not say that
it bore palpable evidence Of the ravages Of
time. q ..s.
sBut what is your object in preserving
that pail :" a.a.
"Iis associations. :. We look upon it as
one of the earliest instruments which cons
tributed to our success in life, and as such
we shall ever cherish it."
soon after took my leave Of Mr.. and
Mrs. H. and their interesting and happy
family; and not day since tlren has my
mind been without its remembrance Of the
Girl and her Tin Pail. =.sf ~1f..
o." So our neighbor, Mr.. Guzzle, has
been arranged al the bar for druDkarjice,"
said Mrs. Darlington, and she sighed as she
thought of his wife and children at home,
with the cold weather close at hand, and
the searching winds intruding through the
chinks in the windows, and waving the