Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-18

so Childish In appearance.
"Was it you that inquired for work Z"
he commenced.
ayes sir, if you please !" was the prompt
reply-and the. little fellow looked wishful-
ly in the merchants face for a confrma
ton Of the hope that swelled in his little
bosom.
His honest manners prepossessed the man
of business in his favor, who continued his
questions:
"Why do you seek labor so young, my
lad %
Because, sir, it would relieve my moth
er, and'-dropping his eyes to the floor
81 would feel better if | could earn money
myself"
1t was a simple answer, and went direct
ly to the merchants heart, for it recalled
to his mind a period when he, as helpless
and dependent as the applicant before him,
solicited work and was supplied by a be-
~nevolent merchant, who, when his indus
try and honesty sanctioned it, gave him an
interest in his business.
as your father living?" inquired the
merchant.
A tear sprang from its fountains, and
coursed slowly down the little fellows cheek,
as he answered, in a low voice.:
"No, sir he died two months ago =
Another chord was made to vibrate in the
merchants heart, for his father had died
when he was young, and instantly his last
dying counsel flashed before him, as if he
beheld it on a printed page.
He unused a moment.
"What was your fathers name, my boy?
''Thomas Melville, sir,-and mine i
Willie 2"
"What labor do you think you can en-
gage in?-I like your appearance, and !
You can be Of any service, | will willingl.
employ you" "Ican go on errands, sil
and carry packages for the customers"
"Well that will do. Come early or
Monday morning, and / will find work TO
you"
A glad "thank you, sir" escaped the JOY
full little fellow, as he sprang away, to COZ
vey to his toiling mother his budget
good news.
The heartily uttered words sent an add
tional thrill of pleasure to his benefactor
heart for those words sounded very liz
the same he had given utterance to yea
gone by.
Bright and early Monday morning, W:
lie Melville repaired to his post and W
Immediately set to work by the head Gle
of the establishment and, before ma
= weeks had circled away, he was the gem
al favorite of all the employments come
ted with the firm.
Years sped onward, and many of tn
witnessed the mercantile success OF Will
Melville. His benefactor, after rails
ear him to the position Of junior partner,
ow- manned with him a few years; and til
satisfied with the wealth his business
Old procured him, retired from life's great
hn,' tie after selling to young Melville his
this ~terestin the concern, on advantageouste tel
yen- who continued to amass wealth with III
you rying success. So much for self relian
oald Many a young man can learn a les
'lley if he will, from this little sketch.
.ntly gratifying to see a young man, posse
not Of fortitude, industry, and courage,
ould wing out for himself a way through
his world and if this spirit of enterprise
rtled self-reliance was infused into every /
Just swelling with the healthful bloc
lows: youth and manhood, how many rogue
, son, despicable Williams would have been sn
dis ed from disgrace and ruin.
oc- America is teeming with boys and y
nee a men, who have suffered their youth t.
e last by wholly unimproved and neg lected-
tie his have lived, from the days of childhoe
pain, easy, lazy, good-for-nothing life-lou
around their homes, relying upon
Tod in fathers for the food that ~sustains
d how worthless lives, aud clothes that cover
rough indolent bodies; careless where these
eed at fort were obtained, 50 their allotment
same forthcoming.
absent And when reverse of fortune visits
families, and they are suddenly thrus
'ersua- upon the world, portionless and wit
and means of livelihood, they become fr
the ters-and, finally, attaches-of saloo
and groggeries; and, their indolent hal
its col coming second natures, they persist j
n CLAN chosen course, and ultimately find a
punishment for their reward.