Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-23

This afternoon, after a weary ride in
the cars, we rested at the house of friend,
far, far away from the great city wherein
is our office and principal place of work.
We visited at the house of a friend-an
old-time friend, who but few years since
was poor boy, but is now good, pure,
honorable, home-loving man.
Nightfall. A cosy, neat, home-like
hsme, with darling little wife who dear
ly loves the one who so dearly loves her.
As they sat and talked of the auld lang
syne, we sat and thought, and thought.
and thought of the days long gone and
fast going.
We love the poor boys, no matter where
they are. They make our best men-they
are the ones who will do the most for the
country-they are the ones who have the
largest hearts and the most pluck. So to-
night we will tell you of this poor boy,
and what he did.
Men need not read this chapter-we are
not writing it for them. So we call the
boys from their farm chores, Office edu
eating and weary labor about us, and tell
them of good example.
Years ago, when we were younger than
now, q poor earnest-faced boy came to
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early life had been spent at hard labor on
farm. He had plowed, and dragged.
and moved, and stirred hay, and bound
grain into bundles, and husked corn, and
cut wood, and done all sorts of chores.
He was working boy.
One day his father said he might quit
farm work and go to learn trade. He
came tn our Office. He began with us as
IN apprentice, at thirty dollars year in
addition to his board.
We remember him very well-a bright
eyed, honest-hearted lad who seemed will
ing to be taught and anxious to learn.
When he worked it was with will.
When he played it was with zest and
relish. Whatever work there was for him
70 do was done without grumble or MUIR
nnr.
One Saturday night he told US that he
would try to be perfect workman. Then
we eat by the open window of the office.
looking out upon the broad river, and
talked of the great river-of the wide
fields, green hills, lakes, rivers and
stretches of country far away toward the
ever and the never setting snn-as there
are worlds, and works, and BEAUTIES for
US all beyond the river of death, If we
but live Alright and become workers here
to be planners Over There.
We talked of perfect workmen-of
those who work within themselves to gain
strength and mastery over themselves Or
the necessity of keeping the Office in or
der-of keeping the heart-thst great
office-in order. with the brain at even
and proper temperature.
He told US that he would never drink
Intoxicating liquors
Would never indulge in profane lau-
guage or conversation unfit for mother,
or sister to hear
Would never forget his duty TO him.
self
Would never forget to be a man. Time
passed on. The poor boy became a man.
Oft and oft, far into the night have we
set type into lines, sentences, and para
graphs, while working side by side-ofr
have we together wondered where the
money to pay for life's necessary articles
was to come from. But this much. we
never stopped work to lose time in argu-
ment.
In time he became skillful workman
foreman of the office-then Superinten-
dent-then a Publisher to look after the
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watch the interests coufided to his charge.
others dissipated, he saved. In time he
had money to loan in little sums to those
whose imaginary wants were more than
their real ones. He was not selfish. close
listed, or misery. He had kind words
and charity of heart, speech and purse for
all.
The office associates learned to look up
on him first with respect, then with
friendship, then with kindlier feeling.
Business men with whom he had occasion
to associate noticed his attention to bust
ness-his desire to please by honest and
honorable endeavor and his Willingness to
battle with life rather than shirk it's
duties and labors.
Then women began to speak well of
him. OF good character, living a correct
manly life, the girls looked upon him
with favor and oft mentioned his worth.
He worked on. He attended to the BUSH
ness of his employer, and thus to his own
His wages were advanced as his worth
was developed. Content to do his duty,
to perform his work we'll, and to be true
in his friendship he had more and more
responsibility put upon his shoulders as he
proved his worthiness to bear the same
One day he told us something.
He was to be married.
To good, pure, earnest, home-lovinq
girl. Never did we say, "God bless you"
more earnestly. We saw them married.
They gave their hearts to each other, and,
united in soul-in harmony with each
other-content to live more for each other
than for others, they walked in pleasant
places, and those who knew them oft did
speak of their worth, their happiness and
their correct, beautiful living.
We saw them in their beautiful home |
He had earned it! Ne rich father had
left him fortune. He had grown rich,
not by speculation, but by labor and
economy. A few years ago he purchased,
partly for cash, and partly on credit, a
little home in growing young city of
the west
OFT and oft have we seen him in the |
summer time when othara ware idlino