Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-10-13
William Haverly.

William HaverIy.
About thirty years ago, said Judge
P, stepped into book store, in Gin
cinnati, in search Of some books wan
ted. While there, u little ragged boy,
not over twelve years Of age came III
and inquired for a geography.
tPlentv 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
pocket, he commenced to count some
pennies and little silver pieces that he
had held until they were all damp with
sweat-SeveTal times he counted them
then looking up said.
4 didn't know they were so much
He turned to go out, and even opened
the door, but closed it again and came
back. I have only got siXty-one cents,
said he; could you not let me have
geography, and wait a little while for
the rest Of the money!,
How eagerly his little bright eyes
looked up for an answer; and how he
seemed to shrink within his ragged
clothes when the man not very kindly
told him that he could not.
The disappointed little fellow lOokedup
to me with a very poor attempt at a
smile, and left the store. l followed
and overlook him.
And what nOw?' I asked, kindly.
Try another place, sir
Shall go too, and see how you sue
ceed q I asked.
Oh, yes, if you like said he in sur
Four different stores [ entered with
I. In, refusal
will you try again? p 1 asked him.
rYes, sir; I shall try them all, or l
shouldn't know whether 1 could get
We entered the fifth store, and the
little 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 80 very, very
much%
TO study, sir. | can't 20 to school
but 1 study when l cau at home. All
the BOYS have got one, and they will get
ahead of me. Besides, my father was
a sailor, and want to learn Of the pla
ces where he used to go
Does he go to those places nOw?'
He is dead, said the boy softly.
Then he added after awhile:--T am
going TO be a sailor, too
Are YOU thOugh?' asked the gentle
man, raising his eyebrows curiOusly.
Yes, sir; if live.
Well my lad, I'll tell you what I will
do, I will let you have a new geography
and you may pay the remainder of the
money when YOU can, or I will let you
have one that is not new, for fifty 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 well then, and I'll
have. eleven cents left towards buying
some other book. Pm glad they didn't
+ let me have any at the other places
The bookseller looked up inquiringly,
and I told him what had seen of the
little fellow. He was much pleased,
and when he brought the book along,
saw q nice, new pencil and some clean
white paper in it.
"A present. my lad, for your perseve-
rance. 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? l now
asked him.
More than I ever can get he replied,
! glancing at the books that filled the
shelves.
I gave him a bank note. 1T will buy
some for yOu,' said I.
Tears of joy now came into his eyes.
Can buy what I want with it?'
Yes my lad anything
! Then I'll buy one book for mother
said he. I thank you very much, and
some day [ hope to pay you back
he wanted my name, and gave ii to
| him. Then left him standing by the
counter, so happy that almost envied
him. and many years passed before l
saw him again.
Last year I went to Europe on one of
| the finest vessels that ever plowed the
waters Ofthe Atlantic. We had beauti-
| full weather until near the end of our
voyage, then came a most terrific storm
! that would have sunk all on board, had
it not been for the captain. Every spar
was laid low, the Tudder was almost
! useless, and a great leak had shown
! itself, threatening to fill the ship. The
crew were all strong, willing men, and
the mates were practical sea-men of the
! first class, but after pumping one whole
night, and still the the water was gain
/ ing on them, they gave up in despair,
anu prepared 10 take 10 the boats,
/ though they might have known that
no small boat could ride in such sea.
The captain, who had been below with
/ his charts, now came up, he saw how
matters stood, and with voice that I
/ heard distinctly above the roar Of the
! tempest, he ordered every man back to
his post.
1t was surprising to see all those men
/ bow before the strong will of their cap
tain, and hurry back to the pumps.
! Thecaptain then started below to ex-
anime the leak. As he passed me,
asked him if there was any hope. He
looked at me, then at the other passen-
gers, who had crowded around, and said
rebukingly:
Yes, sir; there is hope as long as one
inch of this deck remains above water.
When / see none of it, then l will
abandon the vessel, and not before; nor
one Of my crew, sir. Everything shall
be done to save it, and. if we fail, it will
not be from inactiOn. Bear hand ev-
cry one Of you, at the pumps
Thrice during that day did we despair; /;
but the captains dauntless courage, per-
/ severance, and powerful will, mastered
every mind on board, and we went to
work again,