Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-04-24
For the Chronicle.
A HISTORY OF A LIFE.


For the Chronicle.
A HISTORY OF A LIFE.
To the Scholars ofth city Primary
Schoot:-Y have not forgotten, my
dear children, that I promised you a
story! i think you would prefer to
read about some one whom you have
seen, andperhaps known! Therefore
l have concluded to write for you the
history of a life-the life of one who
lived for long time in ourgood State
of Tennessee.
Away up yonder, the Cumberland
river flows on through the quiet coun-
try, jus as you see it pass our busy
city. Many years ago, in lonely
place, not far from this same river,
there stood small house: in that
house lived widow-she was very
poor. This widow had son who pos
sessed, as time proved, great energy
of character we will call him Henry.
One day Henry heard great noise,
and having discovered that it was
steamboat coming up the river,
concluded that he would try his luck
in little trade. He caught large
turkey, and putting it across his
shoulder, started toward the river
To his great delight, the boat soon
landed at woodward. He went ON
board and offered to sell his turkey.
Henry was what very knowing peo-
pie call "green." That is, he knew
but little Of the world. Some persons
on the boat began to talk to him and
amuse themselves at his expense
This continued until the boat pushed
off, andup the stream went the steam
boat, Henry and his turkey. Before
very long, they stopped at another
landing, paid Henry large price for
his turkey, and he, with heart full
Of joy, started on foot back to his
home. He reached there safely, with
larger views of the world than he had
before entertained. With his en-
larged ideas of the world, he con-
cluded to go out in search of employ
ment. He did not know much but
he could work and was not afraid to
do it.
Henry had also a tender conscience,
and felt that he ought to use to the
best advantage, the energies which
his creator had given him.
Having started out, he had not
''"' u'o'' ,.c,.,- fo~ witt ho rnanhnd q
small village-a county seat. No
doubt but that the little wanderer felt
awed at finding himself in a town
among so many houses and so many
people. And there before him stood
the courthouse, the largest building
he had ever seen. But he was child
of nature. He meant honestly, there
fore he feared no evil.
Soon after reaching town, he ac-
costed a plain looking man and asked
for work. The man of course eyed
him closely. He saw before him a
slender youth, of heavy complexion,
without shoes, and .without a hat.
"Why, what can you do?" asked
the man, as his kind, humane heart
softened toward the needy looking
boy.
~ can plough, Sir" answered
Henry, very promptly.
"Well, " said the man, 81 have 8
piece of ground out here, and if you
will, you may plough it for me, and
will pay you for it,"
Henry's face frightened, and his
little heart beat high with hope.
In due time he went to work, ant
late and early, he was at his post
Nothing tempted him from his self
imposed task. For three months h'
continued to plough and cultivate
that piece of ground, without shoes
and tUithom a hat. At last the LITTLE
crop waSlaid by.
In the meantime his employer had
opened a small grocery in the village
and found it necessary to keep score
against his customers now and then
He liked Henry so much that he tolt
him to come into the grocery an'
keep the scores for him.
Henry got II piece of chalk an'
learned TO make figures on the barre
heads. Thus he took his first lesson
i'm Arithmetic. This continued 70
some time, but his heart yearned 70
II companionship it had not We
, known. His mind agonized will
craving for food. 1t was hungr.
/, for such food as can only be had b.
the study of books. Few books wer
within his reach. Such as he coul'
, get Were read again and again. Ill
/; struggle with poverty and the man.
/ adverse circumstances which sur
|. rounded him, was very great, but hi
determination to succeed was eve
) greater BY those who knew him, h
; was noted ms n close student and
g consistent christian. His good mothe
G had no doubt taught him to ask
3 God whatever he desired.
!: Very slowly, but surely, step b
e step he moved on. With such dc
sire for learning-with SO much ell