Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-11-11
The Boy who kept bis Purpose,


Il would not be SO meau" said George Ward 70
1 boy, vino stood by, while he put The candy be
ad JUS bought, III hs pocket
"You have no right 10 call me mean," replied
Reuben Porter, because dou't spend my money
0r candy.
''Yoa oever spend it tor any thing, continued
George tauningiy.
twas true. Reuben did not spend his ID nsy.
Do you suppose it was because be loved it more
than other boys do
Reuben turned slowly away, medit9ting upon
What bad occurred. l viii not care for what he
hinks," be at length said 10 himself; Il have four
ioiiars now and when have sold my cab9ages, l
,hall have anoiher dollar. shall soon have
enough. and his heart bounded joylGlly, his sep
recovered elasticity, and his pace quekencd, as
the pleasant thought removed the sti which the
accusation of meannes5 had inflicted On his seHsi-
tive spirit Enough did not mean tne SAME with
Reuber as with grown people. Il Lad limit
He FASTENED cheeriuiiy home, or to the place lie
called home. He had 10 father or mother there
out in their stead kind and loving friends. ilr
Porter had died two yeurs before leaving wife
and four children without property to sustain them.
Reuben was the eldest; and as he wss old enough
to assist in the labOrs Of farm it was thought
oest that he should leave his mother. Mr.. John
son a neighbor, took lin into his family, where be
very soon became a great lavorite. 1882 -.
TLlre one thug about the boy, however,
that good Mrs. johnson regarded great fault.
1t vas what She called - spirit Of boarding =
She said she never gave him an orange or an apple
that lie did not carry it his room, instead of eat
Igg it. Perhaps his sisters at home, OF dear little
Beany could tell what had became of them.
Mrs. johnson had noticed, too in his drawer,
box, which was quite heavy with mouey. She did
not believe he had bought SO much q Gsh-hook,
since he had been in Their family. II he should 90
on in this way lie viii grow up 10 be = miser. Mr..
johnson smiled at hs wife's earnestness and re-
merkcd that with such an example of generosity
as Reuben had constantly before hin he would not
believe the c.ild was in much danger from the
fault she feared. ut must he remembered he
said, that Reuben has his own way to make in
life He must carly learn to save or he will al
WAYS be poor. There are his mother and sisters,
loo, who need his aid"
In vario0s ways Reuben ajded to his store
When the snow came, he made nice broad paths
about the house which so attracted tho notice of Il
nsghbor, that she asked ii be might be allowed to
make paths for her. He rose early that he might
have time for tn 5 extra work, and was well paid
f1r bis efforts The box grew heavier from week
to week Reuben had almost enough.
One day there was a barrel of Hour left at Mrs.
Portcrs. She thought there must "e some mis-
take about it but the man said he directed at
the store TO take il to that house. Mrs Porter
went Immediately to learn about it, and what was
her surprise on finding her son had been the pur-
! chaser. How could ne pay for whole barrel OF
| flour? 'Tre money" said the merchant "be
brought in box. 1t was in small bits which took
me some time to count, but there was enough"
The mother called, with fall heart, at Mrs
wondered why his mother should cry 50. lie
! thought she would be happy. He was sure he was
| He had been thinking OF that barrel OF -four, aud
now he felt more like laughing thnn crying. Those
tears, noble boy, are not tears of Sorrov, but u
tee deepest joy. Gu are more than repaid foE
your seIldeniaI. You have persevered in your de
termination you have resisted every temptation
! to deviate from the coarse which you have mark
ed oat as right You have borne Ineeky thG
charge aot ulesuRess so CALLING to your generou,
spirit, and now you receive yonr reward. Tou aEC
happy and 81 is yoar mother and so arc you, kiad
frieads 3Ir and Mrs JohEsou.
That nighg Nj. johnson remarked to his wife