Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-07-29
CONFESS A FAULT.
A Lessen for .ho Young and Old.

A Lessen for ihe Young and old.
Mr.. Benjamin Goodwin took his
eldest son to the great city, for he
had obtained as he thought an lsXceI-
lent place for his boy. 1t was q sit
uation in the store of Mr.. Andrew
Phelps. Mr.. Phelps was one of the
merchants of the city; a
dealer in cloths of all kinds, descrip-
tions, qualities and quantities. He
had no partner; he was one of those
exact, nervous men who want no
second say in the way. 1t was near
noon when Mr.. Goodwin entered
the merchants counting-room, lead
ing his boy by the hand.
'G have brought my son, Mr..
Phelps, as we had arranged, and 1
am snre you will find him punctual
and faithful"
''Ah, Master Gilbert; ahem-yes,
like his looks. Hope he will prove
all you wish"
AS the merchant spoke i'll a mat
ter of fact sort of way, he smiled
kindly upon the boy, and then turn
ing to the parent he resumed
"Have you found boarding place
for him YETI"
eyes, Sir, he will board with his
uncle my wifc's brother"
"Ah, that is fortunate. This
great city is bad place for boys
without friends"
"Of course, SIR" added Mr.. Good
win, Sand yet hope you will over
look his affairs little"
fCertain1y, what 1 can. But OF
course you are aware that shall see
little of him when he is out of the
store"
Mr.. Goodwin said "of course, "
and there was silence of some mo-
ments. The parent gazed down
upon the floor little while, and
finally he said:
EsThere has been nothing said yet,
Mr.. Phelps, about the pay"
"Pay?" repeated the merchant.
eyes, sir; what pay are you will
ing to allow my son for his servi-
ces?"
"Ah," said Mr.. Phelps with a
bland smile, see you are unacquain-
ted with our customs. We never
pay anything the first year"
'sNo pay?" uttered Mr.. Goodwin
somewhat surprised, "But / am to
pay Gilbert's board myself, and OF
course / thought you would allow
him something for pocket money"
"No, we never pay anything the
first year. If you were going to
send your son to an academy or col
lege, YOU would not expect the teach
ers to pay him for his studying"
''No, sir"
Just so it is here. We look upon
our apprentice here as q mercantile
scholar, and for the first year he can
be of little real benefit to US, though
all the while he is reaping valuable
knowledge to himself. Why, there
are at this moment fifty youngsters
whose wealthy parents would be
glad to get them into the berth you
have secured for your boy"
"Then you pay nothing" said the
parent, rather sadly.
mot the first year. We will teach
him all we can, and 1T the end Of
that time we shall retain him, if hC
is faithful and worthy and pay him
something"
'eNeyer mind my son." the parent
said. when he and his child wer,
alone. "You have clothes enough
to last you through the year, anC
YOU can get along without mucl
more. Here is one dollar. 1t is al
have over and above what l mus
use to get home; that viii keep yol
in spending money for some time
But mind and be honest, my boy
Come home to me when you please
/ come in rags and filth, if il may be
but come with your truth and hon
or untarnished."
The boy wiped tear from his eyr
as he gave the promise, and the faith
er felt assured. 1t was arranged tha
Gilbert should have two vacation
OF a week each,-one in the Sprin!
and one at Christmas,-and thel
the parent left.
On the following morning, Gilber
Goodwin entered the store to com
mence his duties. He gaZed aroun,
upon the wilderness of cloth, an,
wondered where the people wer
who should buy all this; but he wa
disturbed in his reverie by spruc
Young clerk, who showed him wher
the wateringpot and broom were
and informed him that his first dut
in the morning was TO sprinkle an
sweep the floor. So at it the bo
went, and when this was done
was set at work carrying bundle
of cloth up stairs, where man wa
pilling them away
And so Gilbert's mercantile scho
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