Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1860-06-23
THE BOY WHO CONQUERED.

Some few years ago, a lad who was left
without father or mother, with good natu.
raj abilities, went to New York, alone and
friendless, to get situation in q store as
erraud boy or otherwise, till he could Gem
mand higher position. But this boy had
been in bad company. and acquired the
habit of calling for his "bit,ers" occa-
sonallv, because he thought it looked
manly. lie also smoked cheap cigars.
lie had pretty good education, and on
looking over the papers, he noticed tina,
merchant in Pearl street wanted lad Of
his age, aud he called there and made his
business known. a#a
"Walk into the Office, my lad" said the
merchant. Il will attend to you soon.
When he had waited on his customer
he took a seat near the lad, and he espied
cigar in his hat. This was enough
My boy said he, / wanta smart, hon
est. faithful lad but see that you smoke
cigars, and to my experience of many
years. have ever found cigar smoking
in lads to be connected with various other
evil habits, and if 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 lief. the store; and MS
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 bis head,
said: "Johnny, my dear boy, Tn going
to leave you. You well know what dis.
grace 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, Jobnny, and shall
die in peace"
The scading tears trickled down John.
ny's checks, and he promised ever to re-
member the dying words of his mother.
and never to drink any spititaous liquors;
but he soon forgot his promise, and when
he received the rebuke from the merchant
he remembered what his mother had said
and what he had promised her, and he
cried aloud, and people gazed a: him
as he passed along, and boys rallied a,
him. He went to his lodgings aud throw
ing himself on the bed, gave vent to his
feelings in sobs that were heard all over
the house.
But John had moral courage. He had
energy and determination, and ere an hour
had passed he made up bis mind never to
taste another drop of liquor ncr to smoke
another cigar as long as he lived. lie
went straight back to the merchant. Said
he: " Sir, you very properly sent me away
this morning for habits that have been
guilty of; but, sir, have neither father
or mother, and Though have occasionally
done what | ought not to do, and have not
followed the good advice of nv poor moth
er on her death bed, nor done as prom.
issd her would do, yet have nou made
a solemn vow never to drink another drop
Of liquor. nor smoke another cigar; and
if you, sir, will only try me- it is all ask
The merchant was struck with the deci
sion and energy Of the boy, 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 thus faith.
fully kept his pledge, TO which he owes his
elevation.
Boys, think of this circumstance, a. you
enter upon the duties Of life. and remem-
Der upon what points of character your
destiny for good or for evil depends