The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-05-08
A BOY WHO CONQUERED.

Some lew years ago, lld who WAS left without
| father and mother, OF good natural abilities.
| went to New York, alone and frienless, to get
a situation in a store rs errand-bey, or other
| wise, until he couldeommand higher position;
but this boy had been in bad company, and hal
got IN a habit OF calling for his "bitters" occa.
! sionalIy, because he thought it looked naalys
He smoked cheap cigms also. "a,
| He had pretty goodeducation, and on look.
| ing over the morning papers, he noticed that q
merchant in Pearl street wanted 4 lad Of his
age, and he called there and made his business
| known. sH
"Walk into the office, my lad, AID the
merchant. ..Pll attend to you soon.'
When he had waited on his customer, he
took q seat near the lad, and he espied cigar
in his hat. This was enough "My boz" said
he, 81 want smart, honest, faithful lad but
l see you smoke cigars, and in my experience
Of many years, have ever found cigar-smo-
king in lads to be connected with various other
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 THAT was bis name) held down his head
and left the store and as he walked along the
street, a stranger and friendless, the counsel Of
his poor mother came forcibly in bis mind, who
upon her death bed, called him to her side and
placed her emachted hand upon his head, said,
sJohnny, my dear hoy, I'm going to leave you
father brought on us before his death, and I
want you to promise me before die that you
viii never taste one drop Of the accursed poi-
son that killed your father. Promise me this
and be 4 good boy, Johnny, and I shalli die il,
peace
The scalding tears trickled down Johnny's
cheeks, and he promised ever to remember the
dying words of his mother, and never to drink
any spirituous liquors; bat he soon forgot his
promise, and when he received the rebuke from
the merchant he remembered what his mother
said, and what he had promised her, and he
cried aloud, and the people gazed at him as he
passed along, and the boys rallied at him. He
went to his lodgings, and throwing himself up
on his bed gave vent to his feelings in sobs that
were heard all over the house.
But John had moral courage. He had ener-
PASSED 1fs -nlsass ri and ere AN hour had
other drop Of liquor, n6f u sff6R6 hfi6tiftr ec-
gar as long as be lived. lie went straight back
to the merchant Said lie, s'Sir, you very
promptly sent me away this morning for habits
that have been guilty of; but, sir, Thaye nei-
ther father nor mother, and though. have oc-
casionally done what ought not to do and have
not followed the good advice of my poor moth
er OH her death bed, nor done Us promised her
would do, yet l have made another solemn
vow never to drink another drop of liquor
nor to smoke another cigar, and If you, sir, will
only ty me, it is all l ask"
The merchant was struck with the decision
and energy of the boy, and at once employed
him. AT the expiration of five years this lad
was a parsi.er 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 en-
ter upon the duties of life, and remember upon
what points of character your destiny for good
or evil depends. Nowhern Farmer.