The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1854-04-08
Be Neat

In recent conversation with wealthy n
chant, he remarked that whatever he had
Quired was owing in Il great measure to the
that his mother had brought him up to be
when boy.
lis story, as nearly as | can rCcollcct it,
as follows;
"When was six years old my father
leaving nothing to my mother but the Charg
myself and two younger sisters. After sci
the greater portion Of the household furni
she had owned, she took Two small rooms
-Street, and there, by her needle, CON "
ed in some way-hOw cannot conceive, wi
recollected the bare pttance for which she o.,
ked-to support us IN comfort. FreQuCa
however, remember that our supper cons
simply of Il slice of bread, seasoned by hm
and rendered inviting by the neat manncr +
which our repast vas served, our table t.H
always spread with cloth, which like my u.
mothers heart seemed over to preserve asI.u
whitcpuritv."
Wping his eyes, the merchant continued
"Speaking Of those days reminds me o u
time when we sat down to the table one eve ID.
and my mother had asked the blessing o
heavenly Father on her little derencelcss one,
in tones Of tender pathos, that remembe
and which, if possible, think must have ui u
angels weep she divided the little remnaa
her only loaf into three pieces, placing OF
each of our plates, but preserving none 70 a
self. stole around to her side and place jog
portion before her, and was about to te Or
that was not hungry, when a food of "a.
burst from her eyes, and she casped me b..
bosom. Our meal was left untouched, "
up late that night but what we said | t...
tell. know that my mother talked to m,
as companion than child, and that wi
knelt down to pray, conSecrated myself 20 D
the Lords and to serve my mother"
"But," said he "that is no telling yo a
neatness made my fortune. 1t was some ..u
after this that my mother found an advagist
meut in the newspaper of an crrand boz .u'
commission store in B-sreet. Nlor
being ncccsSitated to wait to have my 10,
mcndel, for my mother always kept II
perfect order, and although on minute r
ton they bore traces of more than one lle.
yet, on the whole they had very resp srldi
air; without being obliged to wait even t
ish my shoes, for my mother always kent M
of backing with which my cowhldes IN
set off before took my breakfast; withou H.'
ing to arrange my hair, for was oblige, . Vi
serve from any earliest youth the most lD.'a
neatness in every respect, my mother sent me t
, see if could obtain the situation. With
light step started, as | had a long time wishc
nv mother to allow me to do something to as
sist her.
"My heart beat fast, assure you, as turn
ed out Of W--into--B street and mad
my way along to the number my mother ha
given me. summoned all the courage | coul
muster, and stepped briskly into the store, foun
my way to the counting room and make know
the reason of my calling. The merchant smil
ed, and told me that there was another boy VIII
had come in little before me he thought h
should hire. However he asked me some oucs
tions and then went and converscd with tn
other boy who stood IN the back part of the Of
fee. The result was, that the lad who had frs
applied was dimiSsed, and entered tho mer
chants employment, first as an crrand boy, the
as a clerk, afterwards as his partner until hi
deccase, when he left me the whole business
stock, &c. After had been in his service sem
years, he told me the reason he chose me in pre-
ference to the other boy was because of the GO
neral neatncsS of my person, while in rcferCnc
to the other ad he noticed that he had neglect
ed properly to turn down his vostD To this sim
pie circumstance has probably been owing til
greater part of my success in business"
viii not all my young friends who read thi
narrative of the successful merchant, like him
form in their youth habits of ncotncss. Re
member that no one will love a slovcnIy boy o
girl, and that if you would secure the respect Q
your acquaintances you must be very careful i
respect tC your personal appearance. Purt
and cleanliness of person are indispensable t
the highest purity of charactCr.-The School
master.