The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-05
CHARLEY MAsoN's wATcHwoRD.


One frosty morning in autumn, as Mr. Jones,
the carpenter, was going with his men 20 work in
the town of Ashby, he met just at the entrance of
the town palefaced thinly clothed boy, who,
after looking at him earnestly for moment, asked:
care you carpenter, and do you wish an ap-
prentice?"
'Well, don't know; what's your name my lad"
said the carpenter, with kind smile.
Charley Mason the answer
"And where is your home, Master Charley"
continued Nj Jones.
Big tears came into the boys bright, black
eyes and his voice trembled as he said:
Il have no home, my father aud mother both
died before remember"
Mr. Jones thought of his own dear boys; and he
placed his hand kindly on Charleys head, saying,
Poor boy, where have you lived"
"With my uncle but l left his house last night
determined to starve before | would be longer
dependent a who grudges his dead broth
cr's child the bread he ate" and Charley's eyes
burned with a strange light.
The good carpenter wiped away the tears from
his eyes with the back OF his hand and asked:
DO you think you can learn to be carpenter?"
Il think / hy," said Charley, proudly
drawing himself up.
"Ah! | like that; and if that is to be your
watchword, | think you and can get nicely
but | suppose you We had no breakfast" continued
Mr. Jones, go we must send Tom back to show
you the house, where you will stay till We come
home to dinner, and then we talk little about
your being a carpenter"
Tom, little cooured boy, who did errands for
Mr. Jones, readily went back with Charley, Ia
king himself the little bundle tied up in an old
Ulue handkerchief, which contained all Charleys
earthly possessions Mrs. Jones proved kind
as her husband, and the poor, tired, hungry boy
soon enjoying bountifu breakfast.
When MIR Jones came home he had long talk
with Charley, who finally became his apprentice.
He was work four years for his food and clothes
having besides the privilege of attending school
four months in each year
That isn't much time for learning, said Char
ley to himself that night, ''but guess | can get
Il chance to learn something out of school; any
how, / can ty" And he did try, and succeeded
SO we'll that Mr. Jones said to him at the close Of
the first winter, ''wel Charley, the master says
you are Of the best scholars in school, and he
thinks we II make something Of you by aud by,
with that watchword Of yours: but, my boy, do
you think that you will like work well as studyH
No, sir; but I'll work that | may study" was
the answer
All through the spring, the summer and the
autumn, Charley worked, earnestly, faithfully,
and at the close Of each day, tired as he was, he
always contriyed to get u little time for study.
Say, Charley" said Willie Jones one night,
''a the boys say you are a dull prig; what makes
you so sober? Why don't you come out of an
evening ard not stay mopcd up in the house with
a book all the timer!
Il must study" said Charley gravelS. II
hall want to 90 to college by and by" ..a
20, poh !! poh - laughed Willie, chats good
one; why father can't send any one of us to col
lege, and how you ever going, when you don't
have anybody to help your"
"Perhaps [ never can, but 81 can try
81 don't wonder father calls it your watchword;
but do you ever expect to know enough to go to
college?'
"Yes, if live," said Charley seriously.
"But what does a carpenter want to go to col.
lege for?" persisted Willie; II don't see any use 10
it,"
! "Willie," said Charley, "you mustn't ask me
any more questions; but III tell you | don't al
ways mean to be carpenter"
Week after week, month after month, year af
ter year, Charley Mason kept on his course; never
idle, never unfathful; he yet worked as though
he had some higher OBJ ect in view, and night af.
ter night found him bending over his books, heed
less of the sport which the boys tried to make him
join The Eour years come to end, and Mr.
Jones now gave him wages for his labors, saying,
Il know you'll be worth two common hands to me,
Charley" and SD he was, working and studying,
now harder than ever, for he was fast reaching the
point at which he aimed
1t was well known now that Charley had decid.
ed to he minister; and that he was now at work
TO earn money to assist him in his studies. About
the time that his term apprentice expired, Mr
Jones contracted to build church in Ashby, and
of course Charley was employed upon it. One
day while they were at work the roof, Willie
Jones called out
Say, Charley, anybody would think you ex-
rcctel to preach in this church, by the way you
put on those shingles"
Stran4cr things than that have happened"
said Charley, quietly laugh from the work
men, and then the incident was forgotten.
Charley achieved his darling plan Of entering
college; though doing 50, he oyercame many
an obstacle at which even stoIter hearts would
have quailed. bu, he said "God helps those that
help themselves, aud / can try"
Ills college life was hard one, for he was still
dependent on his own exert;ons, and il would
make your heart ache to hear of bis privations,
yet he never complained, but kept earnestly TO
his one purpose, and nobly has be accomplished
it,
This day Charley Mason is pastor of the con.
gregation who worship in the vefy church he
helped to build Remember his watchword,
boys; remember that with Gods blessing upon
earnest, f;ithfll untring efforts, you may too be-
come like him. good and useful men.
Gen. Beauregards report of the battle cf the
2lst July has been received at the War Depart