The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-11-25
The Boy who Kept His Purpose.


Ward toa boy, who stood by, while he put the
candy he had Just bought in his pocket.
"You have no right to call me mean repl-
cd Reuben Porter, because don't spend my
money for candy"
You never spend it for anything" CONT
nucd George tanntngly,
1t was true. Reuben did not spend his
money. Do you suppose it was because he
| loved it more than other boys do,
Reuben turned slowly away, mcdita,ing
upon what had occurred. II will not care
/ for what he thinks he at length said to
/ himself; 81 have four dollars now, and
when have sold my cabbagcs, shall have
another dollar ! shall soon have enough
and his heart bounded joyfully, his step re-
covered its elasticity, and his pace quicken
ed, as the pleasant thought removed the
sting which the accusation of mcanness had
inflicted ON his sensitive spirit Enough did
not mean the same with Reuben as with
grown people. II had limit. lie hastencd
chccrfuly home, or to the place he called
home. he had no father or mother there ;
but in their stead kind, and loving friends
Mr.. Porter had died few years before, lea
wing a wife and four children, without prop
crty 10 sustain them. Reuben was the cld-
est 4; and be was old enough to assist in the
labors Of the farm, and it was thought best
that he should leave his mother Mr. John
sinn. a neghbor, took him into his family
whore he very soon became great f,vorito
There was one thing about the boy, how
ever, that good Mrs. johnson regarded as a
great fault. 1t was what She called "a spirit
Of hoardng" She said she never gave him
an orange or an apple, that he did not carry
to his room instead of eating it. Perhaps
his sister at home, or dear lIttlc brother
Benny, could tell what become Of them.
Mrs. johnson had noticed, too, in his
drawer, a box, which was quite heavy with
money. She did not believe he had bought
so much as a fish hook, since he had been in
their family II he should go on in this
way, he will grow up 30 be miscr. Mr.
johnson smiled at his wiic's earnestncss, and
remarked with such an example Of gcncro-
sity as Reuben had constantly before him,
he would not believe the child was in much
danger from the fault she feared. at must
be remembered that Reuben has his own way
to make in life. He must learn carly to
save, or he will always be poor, There are
his mother and sisters, too, who need his
aid"
In various ways Reuben added to his
store When the snow came, he made nine
broad paths about the house, which so at
tracted the notice of nci.hbor that she as
ked If he might be allowed to make paths for
her. He rose early that hc might have time
for the extra work, and was well paid for his
efforts. The box grew heavier from week to
week Reuben had almost enough.
One day there was \ barrel Of -four left at
Mrs Porter's. She thought there must be
some mistake about il but the man said he
was directed at the store to take it to that
house. Mrs Porter went Immediately to
learn about it, and what was her surprise,
on finding her son had been the purchaser.
How could he pay for whole barrel OF
hourr "Ihc money" said the merchant,
che brought in box. 1t was in small bits,
which took me some time to count, but it
was enough"
That night, Mr.. johnson remarked to his
wife, as they sat together before the chccalul
fire. that he had some notion Of keeping the
little miser, and educating him. "A boy
who could form such purpose, and keep it,
will in all probability make useful man.
Aftcryears proved the correctness ofthis con-
clusion. Reuben is now a man of intclli'
gence and wealth. lie is one whom til
world delights to honor, but among his
pleasant memories, | doubt not, is that of
the barrel of flour he bought for his beloved
mother.
The mother called, with a full heart, at
Mrs, Johnsons, and related what had oc-
Cured. Reuben wondered why his mother
should cry. He thought she would be hap
py. He was sure he was. He had been
thinking of that barrel of flour, and now he
felt more like laughing than crying Those
tears of the mother are not tears of sorrow,
but of the deepest joy.
You are more than repaid for selfdenial.
You have pcrscvcrcd IN your determination;
you have resisted every temptation to devi-
ate from the course you marked out as
right. You have borne mcekly the charge
of meanness, so CALLING to your generous
spirit, and now you receive your reward.
You are happy, and so is your mother and
so are your kind friends, Mr.. and Mrs.
johnson.