True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-06-25
The Boy Who Conquered.


left without father or mother, of good
natural abilities, went 10 New York,
alone and friendless, to get situation in
a store as errand boy or otherwise, till he
could command higher position; but
this boy had got in bad company, and had
got in the habit of calling for his 'bitters
occasionally, because he lIlought it looked
manly. He smoked cheap cigars also.
He had pretty good education, and
on looking over the papers he noticed
that merchant in Pearl street wanted a
lad of his age, and he called there and
made his business known.
'Walk into the oflice,my lad, said the
merchant, 'Pll attend to you soon.
When he had waited on his customer
he took seat near tho lad, and he espied
ii cigar in his hat This was enough,
MY boy said he, | want smart, hon
est, faithful lad but see that you smoke
cigars, and in my experience OF many
years, have ever found cigar-smoking
lads to be connected with various other
evil habits, and if am not mistaken, your
breath is an evidence that you are not an
exception. You can leave you will not
suit me- ..... ..... s.. ...
John--for this was his name-held
down his head and left the store; as he
walked along The street, stranger and
friendless, the council of his poor mother
came folcibly to his mind, who upon her
death-bed called him to her side, and pla-
cling her emaciated hand upon his head,
said, Johnny, my dear bay, am going
to leave you. You well know what dis
grace and misery your father brought on
us before his death, and | want you to
| Prou~i~e Iec.sra l. die, .het YOU will
never taste one drop of the accursed poison
that killed your father. Promise me this,
and be a good boy, Johnny, and shall
die in peace. -H.
The scalding tears trickled down John
ny's cheeks, and he promised ever to re-
member the dying words of his mother,
and never to drink any spurious liquors !;
but he soon forgot his promise, and when
he received the rebuke from the merchant,
he remembered what his mother had said,
and what he had promised her, and he
cried aloud, and people gazed at him as
he passed along, and boys rallied at him.
He went to his lodgings, and throwing
himself upon the bed, gave vent to his
feelings in sobs that were heard all over
the house. ....
But John had moral courage. He had
energy and determination, and ere an
hour had passed, he had made up his
mind never to taste another drop Of liquor,
or smoke another cigar as long as he
lived. He went straight back to the
merchant. Said he, 'Sir, you very prop
etly sent me away this morning for habits
that have been guilty of; but sir, have
neither father nor mother, and though
have occasionally done what l ought not
to do, and have not followed the good ad.
vice of my poor mother on her death-bed,
nor done as promised her I would do,
yet | have now made solemn vow nev-
er to drink another drop of liquor, nor
smoke another cigar; and if yousir will
only try me it is all | ask ......
The merchant was struck with the de-
cision and energy of the boy, and at once
employed him. AT the expiration of five
years this lad was partner in the bus
mess and is now worth ten thousand dol.
lars. He has faithfully kept his pledge,
10 which he owes his elevation.
Boys, think of this circumstance, as
you enter upon the duties of life, and re-
member upon what points of character
Your destiny for good or evil depends.
--Northern Farmer.