The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-03-12
The Boy that CONQUERED.

The Boy that Conquered.
Some years ago lad who was left
without father or mother, of good natu.
raj abilities, went to 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 into bad company, and had got
into the habit of calling for his "bitters''
occasionally, because he thought it look
ed manly. He smoked cheap cigars also
He had pretty good education, and on
looking over the papers, he noticed that
a merchant in Pearl street wanted lad
of his age, and he called there and made
| his business known
walk into the Office, my lad," said
the merchant; ;-"I'll attend to you soon.' -
When he had waited upon his custom
er, he took seat near the lad, and he es.
pied cigar in his hat. This was enough
my boy" said he, 81 want smart
honest, faithful lad; but I see that you
smoke cigars; and in my experience oil
many years, have found cigar smoking
lads connected with various other bad
habits; and if I am not mistaken, your
breath is an evidence that you are not an
exception. You can leave; you will not
suit me-"
John-for this was his name-held
down his head and left the store; and as
he walked along the street, stranger and
friendless, the counsel of his mother came
forcibly to his mind, who, o,upon her death
bed, called him to her side, and placing
her emaciated hand upon his head, said
"Johnny, my dear boy, I am going to
leave you. You well know the disgrace
and misery your father brought upon us
before his death, and want you to prom
ise me before I die, that you will neve,
drink one drop of the accursed poison that
killed your father. Promise me this
Johnny, and be a good boy, and then ]
shall die in peace"
The tears trickled down Johnny's
cheeks, and lie promised ever to remem-
Der the dying words of his mother, and
never to drink any spirituous liquors;
but he soon forgot his promise, and when
he received the rebuke from the mer-
chant; he remembered what his mother
had said to him, and what he had prom.
Used her, and he cried aloud, and the peo.
I pie gazed at him as he passed along, and
the boys rallied at him. He went to his
lodgings and throwing himself upon the
bed, gave vent to his feelings in sobs thai
were heard all over the house.
But John had moral courage. He hac
energy and determination; and ere ar
hour had passed he made up his mint
never to taste another cigar as long a
he lived. He went straight back to the
merchant.
Says he, "sir, you very properly sen
me away this morning, for habits that
have been gully Of; but, sir, I have nei
ther father nor mother, and though
have frequently done what I ought no
to do, and have not followed the goot
advice of my mother on her death bed
nor done as | promised her I would,
| houo ooIo
drink another drop of liquor, nor smok
another cigar; and if you, sir, will onl
try me, it is all I ask %
: The merchant was struck with this de
cison and energy Of the boy, and at ono
employed him. AT the expiration of fiv
years this lad was partner in the bus
ness, and is now worth ten thousand do
lars. He has faithfully kept his pledge
! to which he owed his elevation.
{ Boys, TAKE NoTIcE!-Benjamin Franz
lin Wade. Senator in Congress from OhiC
n and Edward Wade, Representative
s Congress from the same State, are brotl
: ers. and were born at Feeding Hill
a West Springfield, in this county. The
!, father was poor but they improved the
: leisure moments in reading or stud,
e while the sons of the wealthy were spene
d ing their time in foolish amusements ar
: thus laid the foundation for their presel
\ fame and usefulness. They did not ha,
fl54ta Il a. B