The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-06-16
From the New York Mercury
Self Reliance.
BY w. L. MYERS.

"Have you any work that / can do?"
said little boy of ten summers to
stern faced merchant, who was buslly
examining a well filled ledger, in a
large retail establishment in the village
of T..
He was small boy for his age, and
looked more like rambling over field
and wood in boyish pursuits than in
filing the capacity of clerk. He was
habited in clothes that bespoke him ac-
ouainted with poverty's privations :
but they were scrupulously clean, and
bore the impress of a kind mothers care
in the neatly mended rents and thread
baroness. The straight forward man.
ner in which he interrogated the mer-
chant, showed him to be possessed OF
perseverance and courage.
The merchant finished the entry he
was making, and turned with a refusal
on his lips but seeing the pleading
look upon the little applicants face, his
curiosity was arousedto know the cause
of this unexpected request for en-
ployment in one so childlike in appear
ance.
"Was it you that inquired for work?''
he commenced.
eyes, sir, if you please 20 was the
prompt reply-and the little fellow
looked wistfully in the merchants face
for confirmation of the hope that
swelled in his bosom.
His honest manners prepossessed the
man of business in his favor, who con-
: tinued his questions.
"Why do you seek labor so young
my lad?''
e "Because, sir, it would relieve my
! mother, and'-dropping his eyes to the
: foor-"I I would feel better if could
, earn money myself" :.
1t was simple answer, and went oil
e rectly to the merchants heart; for. i
E recalled to his mind a period when he
as helpless and dependant as the appli
cant before him, solicited work ane
: was supplied by benevolent merchant
who when his Industry and honest.
sanctioned it, gave him an interest IL
\ his business.
ais your father living ?" inquired
7, the merchant.
d A tear sprang from its fountain, an
: coursed slowly down the little fellow
5, check, as he answered in low voice
ID No, sir !; he died two months ago!
Another echoe was made to vibrat
;. in the merchants heart, for his fathe
died when he was young, and instant
ly his last dying counsel flashed befor
$, him, as if he beheld it off a printe
% ID page.
y He unused moment.
in "What was your fathers name, m
IA boy p ~ ~ sssa .HE
BE isThomas Melville, strand mine
Willie ~
aWhat labor do you think you ca
engage in? Hike your appearance
& and if you can be Of any service, w
= willingly employ you.''
E 81 can go on errands, sir, and car
A'' packages for customers"
- = dwell, that will do. Come early I
Sc, Monday morning, and | will find wo
nd; for you.'', sse
ss A glad athank you sir" escaped t
~ joyful little fellow, as he sprang aw'
20 to convey to his toiling mother bis bu
ted get of good news.
be- The heartily uttered words sent
las lsS- additional thrill of pleasure to his be
efactor's heart; for those words soun
EN- ! If ed very like the same he had given
1 terance to years gone BY.
Bright and early Monday mornir
- Willie Mellvillerepaired to his post a
was Immediately set to work by
mes rs head clerk of the establishment; al
before many weeks had passed aw'
he was the general favorite of all
employees connected with the firm.
Sc Years sped onward and many
them witnessed the mercantile succ
ns of William Melville. His benefact
after raising him to the position OF j.
III ior partner, remained with him t
Z. years; and then satisfied withthe wea