Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-12-18
THE HERALD.
LANCASTER, WIS.
SATURDAY DEC Is. 1885
The Boy Who Conquered.

Seine few years Age, lad Of good naf
iiral Utilities, who was left without fathe
or mother, went to New York, alone ar
friendless, to get situation in a store
Grand boy, or otherwise, till he could con
mand higher position; but this boy ha
got in the habit of calling for his 'bi'tefs
occasionally, because he thought it locked
manly. He smoked cigars also.
He had pretty good education, and o
looking over the papers, he noticed tina,
merchant in Pearl street wan'ed n lad
bout his aye. and called there and ma
his business known.
"Walk into the office my lal. sal! til
merchant. "I',l attend To ,ou so,n."
When he had waited on the cllstome
he took seat near the Ia. and espltd :.
cigar in hIs hat. This was enough. - y
faithful lad; but ! see you smoke ci gar
and in my experience OF many years i,a.'
ever fol nd cigar smoking lads 10 he con
nected with various her evil habits. anG
if am not mistaken, your breath Is al ev
idence that You are not an exception. You
can leave; You will not suiI me.
John flor this was his nancy held down
his head and left the store; and as he
walked the stnet,a stranger and frlenliess
the counsel of his poor mo her came furcI
bly, to his mind. who upon her death be- /,
called MIN to her sid', and placing her e
maciaie'i hand upon his head, said. 'John
nv, my dear hoy, am going to leave 4, on
You well know what disgrace and mi>er,
your father brought on Us before his death.
and | want you IL promise before | die
that YOU will never touch one drop of the
accursed poison that killed your father. -
Promise me this, and be good boy John
ny, and shall die in peace"
The scalding tears trickied down Johnny
cheeks and lie ptoa ed ever to remember
the dying words OF his mother, and never
to drink any spirituous liquors; hut he
soon forgot his promise, and when he re
ceived the rebuke from the merchant, be-
remembered what MS mother said, and
he cried aloud, and people gazel at him as
he passed along, and boys rallied at him
He went to his lodgings, ana 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 h..ti
energy and determination, and ere an hour
had passed away he made up his mind
never to taste another drop of liquor, or
smoke another cigar as long rs he
lived. He went straight back to the ner-
chant. Said he, "Sir, you very properly
sent me away this morning for habits l
have been guilty OF, but sir, | have neither
father or mother, and t. ough nave occa-
sionally done what ought not to do, and
have not followed the good advice Of my
poor mother on her death bed, nor done
rs promised her | would do, yet have
now made a solemn VOW never to drink an
other drop of liquor, nor smoke another ci
gar: and if you, sir, will only try ME, it is
all | ask"
The merchant was struck with the de-
cision and energy of the boy, AMI at once
employed him. At the expiration of five
years, this lad was partner in the bust
ness, and is now worth ten thousand dol |
lars. He has faithfully kept his pledge,t to
which he owes his elevation.
Boys, think of this circumstance, as you
enter upon the duties of life, and remem
Der upon what points of character your
destiny for good or evil depends.