The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-08-28
l-nov tbat it is true, and that know per-

| ing o little closer to his chair; move
ment which he regarded with depreca-
ting expression until satisfied that lis
toes were in no danger.
aMy friend, Manning, you know" COM
mencod father. (we knew nothing ABOUT
him, by the way, twas an obscure but
ambitious boy, and having abilities not OF
an everyday order ho early resolved upon
turning himself to some account IN the
world. But he was 4 poor mans son, ana
one of large family, and the question
was how to bring it about under elrcum-
stances as unfavorable as could we'll be i'm
agined. His parents were plain, hard
Working, honest, church-going people,
having little to do with the refnoments
of life, but possessing plenty of strong,
good sense and innate perceptions of the
-propricties of social intercourse. And
they had carefully and perscveringly in
culcated the notions which this good
sense suggested. One rule they especial
ly insisted on-one, rcgrct to say, which
is too often diaregardod by people of their
station. They scrupulously enjoined and
enforced, if necessary, a respect and de-
ference for superiors either in age, condi-
tion or character; never allowing an in
| fraction of this rule to pass without suit
! able rebuke or punishment a practice
which all parents and educators of youth
would do we'll to initiate for, depend
upon it, girls, there is nothing in the
| world which so prepossesses one in favor
of another as civil and respectful beha-
vior OF address. I care not whether old
or young, rich or poor, wise or ignorant,
it is the passport to good will, and has. in
many instances, been the stepping-stone
to fortune Well, my friend Manning, at
| this period of his history, was as green
and untutored little chap as need be !;
bashfuIa and awkward beyond all descrip-
tion; but he had got his lesson by heart
though he seldom had call to put it into
practice.
"One bright autumn Sunday, young
Manning and one or two of his brothers
| wero standing on the terrace of the vii
lago Westinghouse; for though they lived
at distance, they were required to be
punctually at church as often as Sunday
came; for these parents, not professedly
religious, held very correct notions about
church-going. It's respectable, said they.
'and we wish you to be respected. We
cannot leave you money, but we will see
to it that you acquire ri ight habits.
"They stood on the terrace, I said, ma
king their boyish observations on the va
rious equipages of the good towns people
as they cracked up their steady old nags
in order to flourish up to the church door,
there to deposit their load of women and
children. Among the last arrivals they
noticed horse and chaise which contain
ed only lady and little girl, both dressed
in deep mourning. The lady stopped her
horse and looked around in some perplcx-
ity as to what sho would do with it.
Young Manning instantly comprehendcd
the matter, and springing to her assis-
tance his face hot with bushes, he took
the reins from her hand while she alight-
ed, and helped out the little girl; and
though she expressed warmly her pleas
ure at his unsolicited politencss and at
tention, his diffidence was such that he
could not utter single word in reply
for he had recognized in her widow la
dy who had very recently taken up her
residence at q fine old mansion not far
from the village, of whose wealth and
grandeur he had heard fabulous rumors.
So he only stood by the horse, blushing
and smiling, till the occupants of the car
riage were safely on the ground, and then
carefully secured the horse in n neighbor-
ing shed, while the lady and her daughter
went into the church.
"Now, girls, trivial and unimportant as
this occurrence may seem, it essentially
modified the whole after-life of that lad.
1t wasn't simply the act itself, but the
mode and tense of it, which had such a
power to affect his destiny. Do you un-
derstand? The manner and time of do
ing thing, quito indifferontin itself, may,
and often does, make an incffaceable i'm
pressionw
Father stopped short and looked car
Mostly, but very pleasantly.
eyes, sir answered Rebccca, thinking
he awaited somo response on our part
eyes, sir, but that isn't all, is it ?"
"Not quite" replied ho with quocr
twinkle in his eyes, "unless you are tired
OF listening"
"No, indeed, papa, do go on" urged we
all in the same breath.
"Well, then," proceeded father, "after
service the widow, Mrs. D., and her little
girl, found their horse and chaise at the
door, and tho same boy in attendance,
with the samo friendly smilo, and the
samo insurmountablc dfidcnco holding
him tongue-tied.
Mrs. D. took silver quarter from her
pocket, and was going to slip it into the
boys hand as an accompaniment to her
thanks, but he was out of sight tho mo-
mont they were seated in the chaise.
"Who is that boy Elizabeth p inquired
the widow, as they drove homeward
II don't know, mamma, but saw him
in the Sunday school; his class is very
,o,,l;oJ Et;,obofb