The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-02-18

q Lisy. The first piece that attracted M
!, Donners attention was entitled, The EIe
!, ments Of success He asked bis wife an
!, little daughter if he should read that.
"On, yes, do. George" replied Mr.
Conner that is just what We want I
I, know. Perhaps it will tell US how we ca
: succeed in our schemes"
After he had finished reading it, Mrs
Bonner remarked, "Well, George, w
) certainly have one of the elements, an,
snat ls the will to make present sacrifice
, % future good, and the determination h
hve within our income, and put by som
Of our earnings"
y Yes" replied George, I'VE have tina
already, and another l mean to have
and that is an education"
The attempt to place himself in NOR.
comfortable circumstances had led Mr.
Bonner to think. He not only worked a.
be had always dore with bis hands, but be
had begun 10 work with his head, and the
piece be had just read had convinced him
that be needed education, and be made
the determination to have it. But how
to obtain it? Without means and q
family on his hands, how was he to pro-
cure it He thought upon this subject all
the next Day, and at length be came to
the conclusion that be would 20 in the
evening and consult Mr.. Barlow, the min
lister of the church be attended.
Mr.. Barlow had known poverty in his
younger days, had struggled through many
severe troubles and sharp trials, but be
was now the beloved pastor Of a wealthy
congregation. George Conner could not
have found a more ready sympathizer, a
more judicious adviser. or what was bet
ter yet a truer helper. He advised him
to take his daughters arithmetic and 90
through it, work out the examples as much
as be could himself, and he would find
that good discipline for the mind, land, :"
said be, when you find any that are too
hard for you, come to me and | will help
you, practice writing, and aim to write a
good plain hand, read all you canary
book that have is at your service. MIR.
Bonner thanked him heartily He had
not looked for such kindness from a man
whom he considered his superior, and was
therefore the more grateful. He was per-
fectly astonished when Mr.. Barlow answer
ed his expressions Of thankfulne ss-by say
ing, 81 was once as poor as you, but de-
termiDed to raise myself above poverty.
| went to my minister just as you have
come 20 me, and he gave me good advice
and helped me along. l thanked him
juA as you thanked me He said to me,
"All the return | ask is, that when you are
IN better circumstances, and a poor man
applies TO you for advice, do by him as /
have done by YOU So / say to you, Mr..
Bonner, when you have struggled up to a
prominent position among men, help some
poor man whom you will find just where
you are now. l suppose you feel as
did the wait Of newspapers"
"Yes, SIR" said George, II do"
: 4rWsll, said Mr.. Barlow. "serd to my
house every Friday for some newspapers,
YOU can have mine when have read them.
Here are two YOU can take home now"
George Bonner left the minister's house
feeling as if a new world had opened before |
him. He seemed to tread on air as be
walk ell home, and when be told bis wife Of
the kindness Of Mr. Barlow, she was SO
Overjoyed that she wept like a child "And |
to think" said she, smiling through her
tears, that Mr.. Barlow was once as poor
rs we are, why it seems like fairy tale"
Mr.. Bonner called Mary to his side,
putting his arm round her and kissing
her, he said, "God bless you, my dear
little daughter. 1t was you who first led
me TO think / might lead higher life,
and if l attain to the summit ofmy wishes,
shall always think that | have to thank my
little Mary for it.
Such words coming from her dear faith
er's lips filed Mary's heart with joy, and
made her feel extremely happy. The
Sights and sneers Of her school companions
were now unheeded. Her fathers strong
desire for an education had opened her eyes
to its importance, and she was so fully sus-
tanned by both father and mother, and so
thoroughly happy at home, that outside in
fiuences had very little effect upon Der.
Mrs. Bonner, too, although her domestic
duties demanded nearly all ber energy and
strength, found a little tire each day to
read aud improve her mind, but as woman's
duties are so mOnotOnOus as to leave the
mind generally unoccupied, she thought
much on what she read, and thus kept pace
With her husband.
After a year Of close application Mrs
Bonner had become pretty we'll advanced
in the rudiments Of common school edu
cation, besides having from bis various
readings laid in a stock Of useful informa-
ton upon the topics Of the day, and bis in
fuence had begun to be felt by those he
worked with. They noticed that be was
more particular about his personal appear
ance, more refined in his manner of speak
ing, and that be bad left off the use of
many slang words and phrases that were in
vogue among them, and they involuntariIy
respected him and looked up to him, and
wished they had his learning. George had
formed plan by which be could benefit
these men, and at the same time help him
self He designed establishing an evening
school, where these men could OBTAIN the
learning they SO much desired, without in
terfering with their efforts to gain liveli-
hood. With the money saved from the
family expenses and the proceeds of Mary's
knitting, he had sufficient to furnish a room
for school purposes, and be opened it with
twenty pupils w'o paid him twenty-five
cents each per wvvk. In three weeks his
scholars increased to forty. For one year
he continued his school, and every week
the money received was carefully laid away,
and at the end Of the year, after paying
all expenses, he found himself the pos
SCISSOR Of four hundred dollars. With
this money he purchased building lot.
The ensuing year his pupils requested him
to continue his school, which he did, and
at the end of that period he had saved
again four hundred dollars With thi.