Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-04-29
81 CAN,T.D

TOMMY was a New England boy, the
| eldest son Of q widow living in humble q
! circumstances near Boston. Naturally
| bright and active, he was much beloved
and indulged at home by his mother and. 80
sisters, In fact, they had got into the habit 70
OF doing nearly everything for him, until y
he thought that he could not bring a pail
of water from the cistern to the house, or
black his boots, himself One evening an
uncle, who was usually appealed to by
Tommys mother whenever she needed, -
some advice in the conduct Of her affairs,
came TO the house, and in the course, of
conversation said: by the way, sister,
it is time that boy Of yours was doing
something for himself He must be fifteen 80
years old now, and that is about theright =
age for lad to get a good clerkship." p."isiag1q
Yes, l know it, William faltered the
| lady, but Pm afraid he's hardly strong ~
enough to take. and keep an errand-boys
| place. You know bis constitution has
always been delicate-besides, we can't
think of parting with him yet" 30 o.
Tut, tut, the boy'sas strong and hearty
as ninestenths of those of his age now in =
stores earning good wages. He's been
home too much, and needs some of the a.
outer worlds discipline to develop and
make man Of him and in my opinion,
if something is not done soon, he'll be "
spoiled, and amount to nothing"
swell, brother;p said the widow, with
half sob, "you know best about these
things, but do try to get poor Tommya
good, easy place---I wouldn't have him al
knocked about for the world" 80 60.
The prudent uncle found place for his
nephew in the Office Of a friend, Mr.. "S
Shaw, OF Boston, and the anxious nother,i-4
after fitting Tommy out in the best style
her narrow circum stances afforded, ac-t
companied himsto the city and called OF. "a
the gentleman. After introducing herself
and Tommy, she said: al hope, sir, that
the work my son will have to do here may
not prove too much for his strength" -
"Do not trouble yourself on that ac- VI
count, dear madam" said Mr. Shaw, who a
at once appreciated the condition of
things; my requirements will not be.
severe, and besides, will promise you IA
that whatever he cant do,v III do for,-a
him" -A '~
After some further talk the widow de- -
parted, we'll satisfied with her sons en-
ployer. At the close of the. day, when it's
was time.to leave the office, Mr.. Shaw saidglis
TO Tommy, II want you to be here bright 9.
and early tomorrow morning, to open the :,
Office, make the fire, and sweep out, and
have everything shining by the time
show myself"
eyes, sir" answered Tommy. - 7sl
When Mr.. Shaw showed himselfthe
next morning, nothing had been DONE, ,.,
There was no fire, and the litter of yes,
terday still cunbered the floor, while
Tommy stood in the midst, looking help
less and fearful.
"How is this, Tommy ~. he said; "why
have you not done as I requested?" zel
oh, can't, sir; L can't"
"Well,. don't cry about it," said Mr..
Shaw. I" I told your mother, you knows,
that what you could1t do, I'd do for you"
And Mr.. Shaw went to work, and in
jfy had bright fire cracking in the
CRATE, and things cleaned up so that'the -
office looked cheerful and ,attractiye.ls
sJleLIunt srVuatuIoH!' - - : IT
At night, when they were leaving, Mr.. -.
Shaw said, "Now, my boy, let me see
what you can do tomorrow morning
toward cleaning up and fixing things
The next day, however, the same pro-
gramme was repeated, the clerk doing
nothing more than looking on, while the
master put the office in order for business.
Then at night Mr. Shaw said Tommy,
you must have learned by this time how
to make the fire, dust and sweep out. To-
morrow morning intend to take horse %
back-rde after breakfast, and will not be
down as early as usual. Can you not -
promise to have everything in order er-when Il
l Gomez" .s.....-- . s.t, nj. . es
az guess So" answered Tommy But !.
the next morning Mr. Shaw made his ap-
pearance, rldlng- whip IN nanu, on scene
scarcely different from that of the twoaA
previous mornings 'ef- ili."l'e ~ iFnt
Here, Tommy, take this" said Mr.
Shaw in a pleasant tone, extending the
whip to him, land give yourself a. good 81,
trouncing." ,,.... ,..a.-,i.s. s.
"Oh, I can't, sir; can't" whined
Tommy.
''Well, don't cry, my boy. told your
mother, as you remember, that what you
couldn't do, I'd do for you" a
SO Mr.. Shaw did for Tommy what L
Tommy couldn't 10 for himself and doubt
less did it well, for Tommy never said
al can't" to him again, and found him
self quite equal to the task Of making a
good fire and sweeping the Office in the
morning before Mr.. Shaw entered tt
p5gptOlO OOic1Z ,Io,trDnL irsy if .rLr b.