The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-03-08
The Boy Who Went TO New York.

The Boy Who Went to New York.
A poor orphan boy, some few
years ago, by the name of John
-, went to New York to get a
situation in a store as errand boy,
etc. He was brought up in a coun-
try Village, where his father and
mother died and left him alone in the
world, as regards friends and rela-
ton.
He had associated, in his native
village, with bad boys, because he
had no one to look after him and
warn him of the consequences; and
had become addicted to smoking,
and to drinking spurious liquors oc-
casionally. But Johny had a strong
mind, and was not so far initiated
inthese bad practices but he could
break himse lfof fthem, as every boy
may who will exercise little firm
ness and good judgement.
Johny had about &5 in money
and a small bundle Of clothes, with
which he landed on the wharf in
that great city; and he at once went
in search Of a clearinghouse,
which he found in a remote street,
where he could board two weeks
for what money he had.
The next morning he read all the
daily papers, to see if any one ad-
vertised for boy, and he saw that
a merchant in Broadway wanted one
and he called on him at once.
Now, this merchant had had a
| great deal Of trouble with wicked,
unreliable boys, that he had employ
ed, who would often stop and drink
beer and other liquors at the sa-
looms when he sent them on errands
and in some cases they took his
money to pay for them; so he took
Johny into his office and told him
what bad boys he had employed
that he required Il smart, honest,
faiMtM lad, who was addicted to
no bad habits-how these evils prac
tices led from bad to worse, in
most cases, and ended in the dis
charge Of boys eveywhere-that no
boy could expect to rise in the
world, especially in the great city
Of New York, unless he was honest
faithful, and avoided dram-shops,
and other bad places, etc.
"Now," said the merchant, II
want to know what your habits are
whether you smoke segars, chew
tobacco, drink liquor, swear, ETC."
Johny saw at once that "honcsty
is the best policy" and that he had
got to turn over a new leaf in his
conduct, If he was to succeed there
so he replied:
"Ics, sir, it is trUc, I do smoke
sometimes, and L-usel to drink
beer, and sometimes a little gin or
brandy when | was at home; but,
sir, had no father nor mother to
tell me that such things were
wrong; and'from what you have
said, sir, see plainly that no lad
who follows such practices can sue
ceed in business here; and from
this hour henceforth l will never
smoke another cigar. nor drink
another glass of liquor. Now, sir,
try mel"
"My lad," replied the merchant,
81 admire your decision Of character,
and you shall have the Situation on
trial; and remember, if you prove
true and faithful to my interests
you may live to see the day when
you will own as large store Of
goods as mine, is"
Johny did live up to his word,
and to-day his own name is over
the same door, as owner of the en-
tire establishment; his employer
having died, and left it all to him
in a legacy, as he was a bachelor
without relations.
Thus we see, boys, what a little
decision of character may effect,
when Il lad has frmness to do right
Coyrting in Iowa.