Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-09-09
gsIstt Story.
WILLIAM HAVERLY.

About thirty years ago, said Judge P,
I stepped into book store, in Cincinnati,
in search of some books I wanted. While
there, little ragged boy, not over twelve
years Of age, came in and inquired for
geography.
Plenty Of them said the salesman
How much do they cost ?
'One dollar, my lad
The little fellow drew back in dismay,
and taking his little hand out of his peck
ct, be commenced to count some pennies
and little silver pieces that be had held until
they were all damp with sweat. Several
times he counted them, then looking up
said.
I didn't know they were SO much he
turned to GO out, and even opened the
door, but closed it again and cane back.
L have only got sixty-one cents, said he !;
you could not let me have geography,
and wait little while for the rest of the
money?
How eagerly his little bright eyes look
ed up for the answer; and how he seemed
to shrink within his ragged clothes when
the man not very kindly told him he
could not.
The disappointed little fellow looked up
to me with very poor attempt at smile,
and left the store [ followed and over
took him
And what now? I asked, kindly.
Try another, place, sir
Shall [ go too, aaa see how you sue
ooh, yes, if you like said he in sur
prise
-Four different stores entered with him,
and each time he was refused.
Will you try again :? l asked him.
Yes, sir | shall try them all, or I
shouldn't know whether [ could get one.
We entered the fifth store, and the lit
tie fellow walked up manfully, and told
the gentleman just what he wanted, and
how much money he had.
you want the book very, very much ?
asked the proprietor
Yes, sir; very much
WHY do you want it so very, very
much p
TO study sir. can't go to school,
but l study when can at home. All
the boys have got one, and they will get
ahead of me. Besides, my father was
sailor, and [ want to learn Of the places
where he used to CO.
Does he 60 to those places now :?
He is dead said the boy softly Then
he added after awhile IL ain going to
be sailor, too
Are you, thought asked the gentle
man, raising his eyebrows curiously.
Yes, sir; if live
We'll, my lad, I'll tell you what l will
do; l will let you have a new geography,
and you may pay the remainder of the
money when you can, or | will let you
have one that is not new, for City cents
Are the leaves all in it, and just like
the other, only not new.
Yes, just like the new ones
1t viii do just as we'll, then, and I'll
have eleven cents left towards buying some
other book I'm glad they didn't let me
have any at the other places
The bookseller looked up inquiringly,
and told him what | had seen of the lit
tie fellow He was much pleased, and
when he brought the book along | saw
nice, new pencil and some clean white
paper in it.
"A present, my lad, for your persever
ance. Always have courage like that, and
you will make your mark
Thank you, sir, you are very good
What is your name ?
William Haverly, SIR
DO you want any more books 2 | now
asked him.
More than ever can get he replied,
glancing at the books that filled the
shelves.
l gave him bank note. 1T will buy
some for you, said [.
Tears of joy now came into his eyes.
Can buy what l want with it
yes. my lad, anything
Then III buy one book for mother,
said he. L thank you very much, and
some day hope can pay you back
He wanted my name, and | gave it to
him. Then I left him standing by the
counter, so happy that l almost envied
him; a1d many years passed before | saw
him again
Last year [ went to Europe on one of
the finest vessels that ever plowed the wa
tiers of The Atlantic. We had beautiful
weather until near the end of our voy age
then came most terrific storm that would
have sunk all on board had it not been
for the captain. Every spaf was laid low,
the rudder was almost useless. and great
lnalr Lnd cLoxroA ;trnle III rontn nincr 70 ELI