Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-01

A benevolent old man Of Brooklyn
was making the tour of the city in pur-
suit Of truants and little wanderers, one
Sabbath morning q score of years ago.
when he found little boy asleep in a
crate one one of the wharves.
He shook the crate, and pair of
bright, black eyes opened and flashed
upon him with look of surprise and
timid bashfulness.
Why do you sleep here 2" inquired
the old man.
" Because have no home" said the
child.
"Where is your father 2"
II don't know, sir. haln't seen him
for long time; never since he told
mother he wouldn't come home again"
"Where is your mother 2"
"She is dead"
$50 you have no home-no father, no
mother-and live from hand to mouth
in the street, and sleep in crate 2"
ayes, sir. l sell soap and matches,
and sleep here"
"Would you like to have a home, and
go to school, and grow up a good and
brave and useful man ?"
eyes sir"
"Come along with me, l will take you
to my own house, and feed you, and
clothe you, and send you to school, if
you prove to be, as think you are a
good, faithful boy"
AS the old man said this, he dashed a
tear from his eyes, with his coat sleeve,
for the boy was the very image of his
own sweet boy, who had died few
few years before. Lifting the lad ten
derby out of the crate he led him to his
o wn pleasant home, where he was
washed ard combed and then dressed in
suit of clothes formerly worn by the
son of the philanthropist.
To shorten the story which has in it
material enough for volume, the good
old man gave the lad all the advantages
afforded by the common schools of the
"City of Churches" and then gave him a
clerkship in his own store, for he was g
well-to.do merchant.
After several years Of faithful service,
the young man expressed wish to en-
gage in business on his own account. or
in some way to extend his usefulness.
II will start you in business" said the
old man, on certain conditions"
please state them" remarked the
young man, with smile; for he sup
posed his benefactor was about to per-
petrate a joke at his expense.
II will start you in business, if you
will make three promises" continued
the old man.
'Pray, what promises do you wish me
to make o.
"One is, that you will never swear"
agreed"
Another is, that you will never drink
rum
agreed" .- 80
"Ths other is, that you will haveIno,
thing to do with politics."
agreed"
True to his promise as the steal to the
star, the old man furnished his clerk
with capital, and started him in bust.
ness in one of the Western States. The
young man was very attentive TO his
business, and his habits were crowned
with good fortsne, whick generally &C
companies virtue, courage, enterprise
and Intelligence. A few years ago he
paid a visit to his venerable friend In
Brooklyn-found him the same kind.
hearted and genial gentleman that he
was when he first led him from the crate
on the wharf to the pleasant cottage on
the avenue.
~ am delighted to see YOU" remarked
the old man. "May ask you if YOU
have kept the pledges you gave me
when you suggested to me the idea OF
starting business on your own accoun,
are you temperance mani"
IL have not tasted a drop of any kind
OF intoxicating liquors since | promised
you l would not, and you know have
no sacrifice to make in keeping tina,
promise, for never was accustomed to
the use of such liquors; and 1 do no,
furnish them to my guests, nor to per-
sons In my employment"
"Good boy-give me your hand and
let me shake 1t again. How about that
promise not to use profane speech 2"
SWELL, sir, when l was little wander.
er, and sold soap and matches, scatter
ed my oaths as liberaily as colleges do
their ID. DIS, but / dropped them in
| YOUR Sabbath schools and pavar no