Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-07-20
Fred Hale--A True story.

From the llttlo Corporal. 8leeFp,,
o A boy, about twelve years fof age,
came into my store one day, with bss-
ket upon his arm. saying, " Would you
like any berries to-day, sirp" atIe IF|a
They were 50 fine that / purchased
them. When I handed him the change
he asked, hesitatingly, ,.....
.r,' Would you like any more to-mor-
row, sirY' @AH#89 hHE' - uaa
Pleased with his appearance, / re-
piled, Yes every day during the seas
on you may bring the same quantity"
Then, II you please, will you Keep
the pay until L have earned asuit Of
clothes?ne ..raaI RI r..a..,. sg,-...
Every week day the boy, whom |
will call Fred Hale, brought his cnre.
fully picked berries, always giving the
same just measure, as at first. One day
he asked ii could tell him whore he
could obtain n secondhand Latin gram
mar and reader.
d" Do you wish them for yourself!" l
asked. .'NTt. ri .a.....
" Yes, sir, am going to Mr.. Bland, 3
school, in the autumn, and hc advises
me to study Latin"
Telling him whore thought he could
obtain the books, remarked, a
I" You seem anxious to earn some-
thing for yourself; would you like
some employment in my store part of
tho day, now that the berries are near
ly gomez" .faw't.. p r.,.
Very much, thank you, IL mother
is willing" he replied.
Is your father living?"
Yes, sir" deep blush suffusing
his face as he answered, and felt sorry
had asked. ... ...s... t
He camo that afternoon to say that
his mother was greatly Obliged for my
Kindness and he could go to work mt
once. AS l expected, Fred was oblig-
ing and prompt, two excellent qualities
to start in life with in company with
honesty and diligence, the pOssessor is
sure to arrive with honor at the desti-
nation aimed, He devoted every mo-
ment of spare time to his books while a
consciousness Of right progress could be
read upon his face. Fred had not recit-
ed to Mr.. Bland many days before
saw something was wrong, he became
so sad. Then he ceased going to school.
/ questioned him, but ho gave me no
satisfactory reason, and called upon
MIR. Bland to ascertain the truth.
Fred is fine fellow aud am very
sorry for him." said tho teacher, "but
you see | ain compelled to humor my
patrons, and they insist that they will
not allow their children to attend my
school ii Fred continues to come"
H." Why so?" l asked. -.
His father Is poor inebriate, who
seems lost to shame, and his mother
is a washer-woman." 4, ,. ........
Then Fred ought to be encouraged,
If he conquers so many obstacles"
Every true, and l wish / could
have helped him." said Mr.. Bland.
AS left, resolving would befriend
the boy, called upon our good clergy
man and told him OF Fred. He was
much interested, and said ut once, I"
Will hear lis lessons, rs few in SO small
town understand Latin, How CRATE
! full Fred looked when told him Of the
Clergyman invitation! Il had iio fear
he would give tho good man unneces-
sary trouble. A boy who really does
his best. will get on much fnstor than
one who is often conquered by care
less habits: Fred was on tho alert for
the odd minutes, and / was not SUR
prised to hear from the minister of his
rapid progress. .r........ 5
Several Of Mr.. Bland's pupils would
shout when they saw him in the street,
and say all possible to annoy him.
Fred had hot temper, but like q, true
soldier, he would not yield to 1t, but
passed on, resolving that in spite OF
their sneers he would be somebody
He did not depend upon his own
strength, or wisdom, to succeed. His
mother had taught Him better and he
had taken her advice, and depended
upon Jesus to help him over the hard
places. Hard as he tried to please those
about him, still more carefully he tried
to please and obey the loving Savior.
There is a promise, They that honor
me, l will honor" and 1t became true
to Fred. Oae fortunate circumstance
after another helped him on. He was
respected: and what was best, to Fred,
even his poor father began to reform,
encouraged by his son. Some property
having come into their possession, the
family removed West, where now
career was opened to the father.---
There Fred found wide field for cner-
gy and talent, and rose rapidly to dis
tinction. His name is now q familiar
word in our land. His deeds are often
praised by those who sneeringly refused
to attend the same school that he did.
L expect to hear Of him MS having done
still more for our country, for IL is still
as true, as when Solomon said it, I" hsy
humility, and the fear of the Lord, are
riches, and honor, and life"