Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-06-10
A STORY or rwo BOYS.


Once upon time, not many years ago,
there lived in the little town of Brechin, a
few miles from Glasgow, in Scotland, two
boys, brothers, whom | will call John and
Thomas Reddan Their father died in early
life, and they wlre quite poor. After work.
ing as apprentices in cotton factory for
while they set upa littlestore for themselves,
in which were sold certain articles used in the
factory 1t was the custom at that time, as
[ believe it is now, for many Scotchmen to
believe that they could not do any good work.
or any great amount Of work, without having
bottle Of liquor on the shelf very fool
ish belief, | am sure you will all agree with
me- for we know that drinking Intoxicating
drink makes us mad, and takes away our
senses, and is the very way, instead OF helping
us in our work, to prevent Us from doing any
thing at all.
Well one time Thomas Reddan was obliged
to 20 away and remain long time. When
he come back he went to the little store, and
expected to receive very cordial welcome
from his brother. But how do you think he
found him? Drunk When John recover
ed from his stupor, Thomas who was right
minded lad talked to him, and the result Of
the conversation was, they both earnestly re-
solved, never, either Of them, on any pretence
whatsoever, to drink liquor Of any kind.
1t was not long after this that these young
men came to America They settled in
town called Andover, in Massachusetts,.
am pretty sure you will find it If you will
look on the map of Massachusetts in your
geography They did not open store this
time, but, with the money they had been able
10 save over the water, started factory for
the manufacture of certain kind of thread,
that shoemakers use in their business.
In this town they stayed for many years.
They prospered in all their doings, because
they did thoir work well were reliable, prompt,
and honest, aud so every body trusted them.
And more than that they were religious
young men, attended church on the Sabbath,
and, in fact, so conducted themselves as to
win the esteem of all in the neighborhood
They got along so WE'LL that one of them, in
a few years, went over to Scotland to the lit
tie town where their mother was, and brought
her over to America. And what was very
kind, they brought all the furniture Of her
apaItmef, just as it was, and arranged it in a
little room in the town where they lived, so
that she would not feel 50 very strange in this
new country.
Years wen, by, and they married, and had
children grown up about them They made
plenty of money, and became very wealthy
but amidst all their happiness and success,
they did not forget how they were once poor,
nor did they forget how much they owed to
the good God for all the blessings they had
had So one of them, Thomas, one day said
to the other
"John, l propose we do some good with
our money"
And John acquieseed, and after conyersing
awhile they concluded to build a new build
ing for the library Of celebrated seminary
that is situated in that town, called Ando-
yer Theological Seminary" And they did
build it at a cost of over sixty thousand dol
lars, and called il " Brechin Hail. after the
little town in Scotland they came from. That
hall is standing to-day, and if you should ever
happen to 60 to Massachusetts,, try and see it
and remember the story of these two boys,
and how it came to be built.
If there is a moral to my tale, and there is
to most every thing that is written, or ought
to be, at any rate, it is this; that all boys
who do their duty, who shun strong drink
and strive to do right, will, with Gods bless
ing, be sure to prosper.
George Manson.