The Van Buren press., 1860-05-25
a:lstellallp.
The Boy Who Conquered.

Some few years ago, lad who was left
without father or mother, of good natural
abilities, went to New York, alone and
triendess to get situation in u store as er-
rand boy or otherwise, till he could cor.-
mand higher position !; but this boy had
been in bad company, and acquired the hab-
it Of calling for his i" bitters - occasionally
because he thought it looked manly. lie
smoked cheap cigars, also.
lie had pretty good education. and on
looking over the papers, he noticed that a
merchant in Pearlstrect wanted a lal of his
aGe, and he called there, and made his Lu-
siness known.
Walk into the office, my lad" sail tn.
merchant. ''I'il atteud TO YOU soon"
When he hal waited on his customer. he
took a seat near the lad, and he esped a
cigar IN his hat. This was enough. NV
boy said he, g want a smart, honest.
faithful lad; but | see that you smoke ci-
gars, and to my experience OF many years.
have ever found cigar smoking in lads to
he con9eetrl with various otbe" evil habits
and If l am not mistaken, your breath is an
evidence that yOu are not an exception
on can leave you will not suit me-
John-ior this was his name-held down
his head and lett the ,torc and A, he walk
ell along the street, a stranger anl friendlcss
the counsel of his poor mother came forci-
bly, to his mind, who, upon her death bed,
called him to her side, and placing her ema-
ciated hand upon his head. said, :. johnny,
my dear boy, IN going TO leave you. You
well know what disgrace and misery your
father brought on Us before his death. and
ant :. b.,F I
You will not taste one drop OF the accursed
poison that killed your father Promise
me this, and be a good boy, Johnny, and |
shall di. in peace
The Scalding tears trickled down Johnny's
cheeks, and he promised ever to remember
the dying words oil his mother, and never
to drink any spirituous liquors but he
soon forgot his promise, and when he re-
ceived the rebuke from the merchant he re-
membered what his mother said, and what
he had promised her, and he cried aloud.
and people gazed at him as he passed along
and boys rallied at him. He went to his
lodgings, and throwing himself upon the
bed, gave vent 70 bis feelings in sobs that
were heard all over the house
But John had moral courage He hal
energy and determination, and ere an hour
had passed he made up his mind never to
taste another drop of liquor. nor to smoke
another cigar as long as he lived. He went
straight back to the merchant Said he :
g Sir. you very properly sent me away this
morning for habits that / have been guilty
of; but. sir, have neither father nor moth
er, and though | have occasionally done
what | ought not to do, and have not fol
lowed the good advice of my poor mother
on her death bed, nor done as | promised
her would DO, yet | have now made a sol
emn vow never to drink another drop of
liquor, nor smoke another cigar and if
you, sir, will try me it is all / ask
The merchant was struck with the decision
and energy of the boy, and at once employ
ed him. At the expiration of five years,
this lad was partner in the BUSINESS, and
is now worth ten thousand dollars He thus
faithfully kept his pledge to which he owes
his elevation.
Boys, think of this circum stance, as YOU
enter upon the duties of life, and remember
upon W hat points of character your destiny
for good or ior evil depends Far
mer.
MADE A MIs-AKE.- \ landlord in one of
the northern counties, more exacting and
rapacious than landlords generally are apt
to be, and that is saying good deal, called
on one Of his tenants for his rent The man
was mechanic, and away from his home
at wo,k /; but the light of his house, a pref
ty little wife, was there, who received the
landlord kindly, and asked him TO be seated
He said he had called to receive the lent
due. She told him that her husband had
not left the money, but would call on the
landlord and pay the rent just as soon as
he could collect it. The landlord had been
looking at the pretty woman all the while ;
and being by this time captivated with her
charms, he offered to give her recent in