Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-11-13

Some few years ago, lad who was left
without father, or mother, of good natural
abilities, went to New York, alone and friend
less, to get situation in store as Grand
boy, or other wise, till he could command high
er position but this boy had got in bad COM
pany, and had got in the habit of calling for
his bitters occasionally, because he
thought it looked manly. He smoked cigars
also.
He had pretty good education, and on
looking over the papers, he noticed that a mer-
| chant in Pearl street wanted lad about his
age, and called there and made his business
known.
Walk into the Office my lad" said the
merchant" "Pll attend to you soon'
When he had waited on the customer, he
tool. a seat near the lad, and espied cigar
in his hat This was enough "My boy"
| said he, 81 want smart, honest, 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 va
riOus other evil habits, and if | am not mista-
ken, 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 poor mother came forcibly
to his mind, who upon her death bed, called
him to her side, and placing her emaciated
hand upon his head, said, "Johnny, my dear
BOY, l am going to leave you. You well
know what disgrace and misery your father
brought on us before his death, ,and [ want you
to promise me before die that you will never
taste one drop of the accursed poison that
killed your father Promise me this, and be
good boy, Johnny, and shall die in
peace"
The scalding tears tricklcd down Johnny's
cheeks, and he promised ever to remember the
dying words, of his mother, and never to
drink any spirituous liquors but he soon for
got his promise, and when he received the re-
bukc from the merchant, he remembered
what his mother said, and what he had pro-
missed her, and he cried aloud, and people gaz-
ed at him as he passed along, and boys rail-
ed at him. He went to hislodgings, and throw
ing 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 en-
ergv 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 as he lived He went straight
back to the merchant. Said he, "Sir, you
very properly sent me away this morning for
habits have been guilty Of but, sir, | have
neither father or mother, and though have
occasionally done what ought not do, and
have not followed the good advice of my poor
mother on her death-bed, nor done as pro-
missed her would do, yet have nOao made
a solemn VOW never to drink another drop of
liquor, nor smoke another cigar; and if you,
sir, will only try melt is all l ask"
The merchant was struck with the decision
and energy of the 10y, and at once employed
him. At the expiration of five years, this
lad was partner in the business, and is now
worth ten thousand dollars. He has faithful
ly kept his pledge, to which he owes his eleva
ton.
Boys, think of this circumstance, as you
enter upon the duties of life, and remember
upon what points of character your destiny
for good or evil depends. Farm