National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-08-26


At a meeting of the stockholders of Il
prominent railway corporation, recently
held in this city, there wesA present two
gentlemen. both well up in years, one.
however, considerably the senior of the
other In talking of Old times gone by,
the younger gentleman called the atten-
ton of his friends and told pleasant
little story which should be read with
profit by every poor, industrious and
striving lad We use his own language :
- Nearly half a century ago, gentle
men. was put upon the world to make
my living. / was stout, willing and able
considering my then tender years, and
secured IA place III hardware store to do
all kinds of chores required. / was paid
seventy-hve dollars per year for my boy
ish services One day, after | had been
at work three months or more, my friend
there Mr.. b., who holds his age remark
ably well, came into the store and bought
large bill of shovels arl tongs, sad-irOns
and pans, buckets Scrapers and scuttles,
for he was TO be married next day, and
was supplying his household in advance,
as was the groom 5 custom III those days.
The articles were packed on the barrow
and made load sufficiently heavy for a
mule. But, more willing than able, |
started off, proud that | could move such
a mass on the wheelbarTow | got on re
markablv well till | struck the mud road,
now Seventh avenue, leading to friend
b. s house. There | toiled and tugged,
and tugged and toiled, but could not
bulge the load up the hill, the whee
going its full half diameter III the mud
every time ] would try to propel forward.
Finally good-natured Irishman passing
10y with dray took my barrow, self and
and all on his vehicle, and i'll considers
ton of my promise to pay HIM blt
landed me at my destination. ! counted
the articles carefully as delivered them,
and with my empty barrow trudged my
way back, whistling with glee over my
triumph over difficulty. Some week,
after paid the lrishman the bit, and
never got lit back from my employers. Mr..
b.. | am sure. would have remunerated
me, but he never before heard this story
So if he is inclined he can compromise the
debt by sending me bushel Of his rare
ripe peaches next fall. But to the
NOR l. A merchant had witnessed my
struggles. and how zealously labored to
deliver that load of hardware ; he ever
watched me to the house and saw III,
count each piece as handed 1t III the
doorway, He sent for me next day, asket
my name, told me he had a reward fol
my industry and cheerfulness under diff
Guilty. in the shape of a five hundred
dollar clerkship in his extensive establish
mcnt | accepted, and now, after nearl,
half century has passed | look bacI
and say wheeled myself into all | own
for that reward of perseverance was N,
grand stepping stone to fortune.
The speaker was "a very wealthy banke
a man OF influence and position, and ON,
universally respected for many goo,
qualities Of head and heart. Boys, TAX
a moral from this little story and be will
ing and industrious You do not know
how many eyes are upon you to diScove
whether you are sluggish and careless, o
industrious and willing, or how man,
there are who, ii you are moral ant
worthy, viii give you stepping stone
OF wealth and position.-PHs6"y,
(Jyzefg