Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-07-21
The Boy who Conquered.

Some wears ago, lad who was LETT
without father or mrther, of good natural
abilities. wen; to New York alone and
frieudless, to get situation in a store as
errand boy, or otherwise, until be could
command a higher position but this boy
had been in bad company, and had been
in the hahitOf calling for his "bitters"
occssiOnly, because be thought it !, oked
manly He smoked cheap cigars, also.
He had q pretty good education, and Oh
locking over the papers, he noticed that
merchant IN Peal street wanted lad Gf
Ills age, and he called there and made his
busin known. r- ..r.--
'Wslk into the Vfice. my lad, suid the
merchant. i will attend to you pretty
soOD.'
When be had waited m his customer he
took seat near the lad, and espied ci-
gs- in bis bet. This was enough. My
boy said he, i want q smart, honest,
faithful lad but SEQ that you smoke ci>
CARS, and 10 my experience of many years,
have ever found cigar smoking in lads TO
be connected with Various other evil habits
and, IL l AN not mistaken, your breath is
Oh evidence that you are lot an excrp-
Iion. You can leave; you will not I'll t
me-
John this was bis namPl held down his
head aud LIFT the store as he walked along
the street, stranger and frieDdless, the
counsel of his poor mother came fOrcibly
TO his mind, who, upon her deGth>bed,
called him to her side, and placing her
eERcisted hand uprn bis head, said.
johnny. my dear boy, I'm going to leave
you You we'll know what disgrace aud
misery your father brought on us before
his death, and 1 want you to prUmise me
before die that you will never taste Que
drop of the accursed poison that killed
your father. Promise me this, and be
good boy, Johnny, and / shall die in
pelcs.'
The scalding tears trickled down John.
ny's cheeks, and he promised ever to re.
member the dying words Of bis mother and
never to drink any spiritunur quors but
he aeon forget his prnmise, and when lie
received the rebuke from the merchant be
remembered what his mother had said.
and what he had promised her, and be
cried aloud, and people eszed Mt him as be
passed along, and boys rallied at him
He went to bis lodgings, and, throwing
himself upon bis bed, gave vent to his feel
ings in subs that were heard all over the
house
But John had mGral courage. He had
energy and determination, aud ere ar hour
had passed ne made ny HE MUD never 10
taste suntLer drup Of liquor. nor to snake
another cigar as long M he lived lie went
straight back u tie merchant SAID he,
Sir, ynu very properly sent me away This
morning for habits that have been gully
of; but, sir, have neither father nor
mother. and though have occasionally
done what | ought not 20 do, and have not
f'llVwed the good advice o. INV poor moth
er on Der death-bet, nor done as prcmis-
ed her ! would do, get have noy made a
solemn vow never to GrInk an !her drop Of
liquor. nor to smoke another cigar; and il
you. sir will only try me- it is all ask p
The merchant vas struck with the deCis-
ion aud energy uf the boy, anG at once EN-
pluyed him. At the expiration Of five years
this lad was a partner in the business, and
is now wnrth ten thousand dollars He
has faithfully kept his pledge, 10 which be
owes his elevation. .rr~--.
Boys think Of this circumstance, as you
enter uDOn the duties of life, and remember
upon what points of character your destiny
for good or for evil depends Exchange
Paper.