Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-05-29
The Boy who Conquered.

Some few years ago, a lad who was
left without a mother, Of good natural
abilities. went to New York, alone and
trienlless, to get situation in store as
crranl boy, or otherwise, until he could
command higher position but this boy
had been in bad company, and had 60; i'll
the habit Of calling for his ''bitters' oc-
casionaIly, because he thought it looked
manly. lie smoked cheap cigars also.
He had pretty good education, and
on looking over the morning papers, he
noticed that merchant in Pearl street
wanted lad OF. his age, and he called
there and made his business known.
4" Walk into my office, my lad, said
the merchant, 81 attend to you soon.'
When he had waited on his customer,
he took seat near the lad and he es-
pisd cigar in tis hat. This was enough
My boy said he, II want smart, hon
est, f ithful lai but l see that you
smoke cigars, and in my experience of
many years, have ever found cigar
smoking in lads to be connected with va
rious 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 tthis was his namc) held down
his head and left the store and as he
walked along the street, a stranger an /
tricndIess, the counsel OF his poor mother
came torclbly to his mind, who, upon her
death-bcd, called him to her side. and
placing her emaciated hacd upon his head
said, johnny, my dear boy, I'm going to
leave you. You well know, what disgrace
and misery your father brought on US be-
fore his death, and | want you to promise
me before | die that you will never taste
one drop OF the acourscd poison that killed
your tather. Promise M. this, and be a
good boy, Johnny, and | shall die in
peace.
The sealliny tears tricklel down John
ny's checks, and he promised ever to
remember the dying words of his mother.
and never to drink any spurious liqnors !;
but he soon forgot his promise. and when
he received the rc5alc from the merchant
he remembered what his mother said,
and what he had promised Eer, ana he
cried aloud. and men gazod at him as he
passed along, aud the boys rallied at him.
He went to his lod siagS, and, throwing
himself upon his bed, gave vcat to his
feelings in sobs that were heard all over
the house,
Bat John had moral courage. He
had energy ani 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. 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 nor mother,
and though have occasionally done what
| ought not to do, and laye not followed
the good advice of my poor mother OH
her death bed, nor done as ] promised
her would do, yet ] have now made a
solemn VOW never to drink another drop
Of liquor, nor to smoke another cigar /;
and il YOU, sir, will only try Inc, il is all
! will ask.
The merchat was struck with the de-
cision aud 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 has faithfully kept his pledge, to
which he owes his elevation.
Boys, think Of this circumstance, as
you enter upon the duties Of life, and
remember what points OF character your
destiny for good or evil depends.