Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-07-01
THE MOTHERS TEACHINGS.

should like much to see him.
If you have any business to transact ca
attend to it, replied the clerk; Mr. Harris car
not be troubled with children like you.'
What is this, Morleyr said pleasant look
ing, elderly man, stepping up to the clerk
what does the boy want.'
'He insisted on seeing you, though | toll
him you were engaged, returned the clerk,
little abashed by the manner of his employer.
And what would you have with me, nv lad!
! inquired Mr.. Harris, kindly.
The boy raised his eyes, and meeting tn,
half scornfu! glance of the clerk, said timidly:
| 4 wish to look at the bill for some book
which | bought here some three months since
There is mistake in it which wish to cor
rect
'Ah, my boy, see,' replied Mr.. Harris, 'yo,
have overpaid US, suppose
mo SIR answered the boy, ION the contrary
purchased some books which are not charged
on the bill, and have called to pay you TO,
them
Mr.. Harris folded his arms across his breast
and regarded the boy thoughtfully for a mo-
ment, and then asked, when did you discover
this mistaken
Not until | reached home, replied the lad.
'When | paid for the books was in great
hurry, fearing the boat would leave before
could reach it, and did not examine the bilI!'
why did you not return and rectify the mis-.
take! asked the gentleman in tone slightly
altered.
Because, sir, | live at some distance from
the city. and have not been able to return un,
til now
'My dear boy,' said Mr.. Harris, you have
given me great pleasure In a long life of mer.
camille business, have never met with an in>
stance Of this kind before. You have acted
nobly and deserve recompense.'
i ask no recompense,' returned the boy in a
manly manner;I have done nothing but my
duty, simple act Of justice, and that deserves
no reward but ITSELF
MAY Task who taught you such noble prin.
ciples! inquired alr. Harris.
My mother answered the boy bursting into
tears.
BLESSED is the child who has such mother
said Mr. Harris with emotion, 'and blessed is
the mother of such child. Be faithful to her
teachings, my dear boy, and you will be the
staff Of her dec lining years
ALAS, sir sobbed the boy, she is dead. 1t
was her sickness and death which prevented
me from coming here before
what is your name! inquired Mr.. Harris.
Edward Delong.'
SIS your father lving'
NO sir; my father died when | Twas an infant
'Where do you reside!'
In the town of Lnwood, about fifty miles
from this city,
well, my boy, what were the books which
were forgotten!'
'Tacitus, and Latin dictionory'
Let me see the bill. Hah! signed by A. C.
Morley. " i'll see to that. Here, Mr. Morley
called Mr.. Harris, but that functionary was bu
silly employed in waiting on customer at the
opposite side of the store, bowling and smiling
in the most obsequious manner.
Edward continued the kind-hearted Mr..
Harris, i am not going to reward you for what
you have done, but wish to manifest my ap-
probation of your conduct in such manner as
70 make you remember the wise and excellent
orecepts Of your departed mother. Select from
ny store any ten books you choose, which, in
'ddition to the ten you had before, shall be
present to you; and henceforth, as now, my
10Y, remember and not 'despise the day of lit
le things.' If ever you need friend, call on
ne, and for thy mothers sake. will assist YOU
When the grateful boy left the store, through
lis own tears he saw the moistened eyes of his
lind benefactor.
Edward Delong wished for knowledge, and
hough the scanty means Of bis mother could
ardly satisfy his desire, he had advanced far
eyond most boys of his age. By working
lights and mornings for a neighbor, he had |
masscd what seemed to him a large sum of |
honey, and this was expended in books.
Scarcely was he in possession of his trea-
ures, when his mother sickened and died. His
ONE was now with a man who regarded mo-
ey as the chief end and aim of his life, and Sc.
ere and constant labor as the only means of
blaming that end.
For two years Edward struggled with bis
opeless condition. Toll, early and late, was
is doom and TO his oft expressed wish of OBJ
lining an education, his employer answered:
'Learnin' never made corn grow, or titled
cid, and what is the use on it. can only read
I'd write, and there amt a richer man in the
ace, not excepting Squire Morrison, with all
8 iarn't notions"
is Mr. Harris in!' inquired Edward, as he
,ain entered the storv of that gentleman.
will you wait a moment, and he will be at
1erty.'
Did you wish to see him. asked Mr. Harris =.
his boy, whose thoughts were so intense
at he had not noticed the approach of his
end.
"Mr. Harris" exclaimed Edward, and it was
that he could say.
MY noble Edwardn said the old man. 'And
u have needed friend. Well, you shall
We one.' s 81. .- z.-.~
Five years from that time Edward Delong
IS the confidential clerk of Mr.. Harris, and in :
rec more partner in the firm. The integrity {,
purpose which first won the regard Of his !,
nefactor, was his guide in after life. Pros-
rity crowned his efforts, and happiness bless.
his heart-the never.failing result of re. a
smbering "a mothers teachings" p