The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-06-01
Original Storp.
Written for the Ottawa Free Trader.
ARE DECEITFUL.
BY AMIGO.

PeIAohs Az Oustlluk vluukc " A>SW AoAs
As 'Old Sol" is taking his farewell view of the
village and its inhabitants, let us peep into this
parlor. Stretched lazily upon luxurious sofa
10 . boy of twelve summers; young as he is, his
mind is going out into the future. He is striv.
ing to grappe with the realities of his after life
ruthlessly tunbled down. Visions of wealth
crowd in upon his mind, for Squire B. is a rich
man, and Johnny his only heir, and already his
plans for aiding the poor of his native town are
being laid; his benevolent ideas stop not here,
but 60 out beyond the narrow limits of home
and embrace even the heather of distant lands.
Another engrossing subject of thought with
Johnny is his coming course at Yale, for he is .
bright boy, ever leading his classes at school,
meyer failing to carry off the prize on the last
day, and always ready to help q backward
scheolmate.
All the friends and neighbors Of Squire B.
predict brilliant future for little John.
But alas his very virtues are his greatest en-
emies. Generous to fault. and never in want
of pocket money, he is easily induced to 60 be-
yond the dictates of reason. Brought up by
moral. but not religious parents, he knows not
the restraining influence Of the religion of Jesus.
Being the only child of bis parents and INDUCED
in every within, he chooses without restraint his
own companions from the circle of his acquaint.
ances. The wealthy in childhood, as we'll ~ the
more aged, have their parasites, and Johnny has
his. The same characteristics mark both the
youthful and the accomplished sycophant; and,
sad to relate, even now, while friends and pa.
rents are awaiting with certainty the unfolding
OF the bud into a noble manhood, he is, with his
own hands and through the neglect of parents,
laying the foundation of his after ruin.
Let US now turn away from the parlor and
the thoughts which its inmate have aroused, aud
look upon another and less pleasing scene.
The evening mail train has just arrived from
New York, and, as usual, throng of newsboys
gather around each eager to be the first to re.
ceive the evening papers Let us follow this lit
tie, ragged, smutty fellow, who, apparently the
first one to get his bundle of papers, hurries
from the train, shouting "Ev.en-ng journal,
mute account Of the Brooklyn ferry.boat disas.
ter; only three cents!' As we follow him
through the streets and alleys, hearing his in
cessant cry of "O.n-l-y three cents for Evening
Journal we wonder what the world has in
store for him. No thought Of renown fills our
mind as we scrutinize his lank little FORM The
brightest future we dare predict for the little
news-seler is. that be may live through his term
OF years, and at least die unstained with crime.
If he makes life SO far success he shall have
done we'll.
We will follow him little farther After
selling his bundle of papers he hurries up a
dark alley and enters a low, mean looking hut.
Unperceived we follow Seated in rickety
chair is an old lady, far past the meridian of
life. The resemblance IN the countenances of
the two pronounces them mother and son. With
cheerful word and a loving kiss she greets him
after his days work. Hastily washing and tax.
ing his bite Of cold supper, our little friend seats
himself before pine table, and by the Pickering
OF grease lamp pores over we'll worn copy of
McGuffey's Spelling Book
We will leave the hut and its inmates and
endeavor to gain some clue to their history and
circumstances. We can meet none who know
the family; they appear to be unknown and I'M.
cared for. AT last, when about to give up the
search, We find an old lady who tells US, "That
is where Widow M. lives, and the boy is her
son Hairy; nothing but ragged little newspa.
Fer peddler; will never amount to anything /;
such work always ruins boys, specially such
poor things as them"
We turn away, bordering over the ways of
Providence, asking, us it right, il it Just, that
such vast differences should exist between mem
bers of the same race and inhabitants of the
same village?" With such thoughts az these.
We take seat in the eastern bound train and
are soon whirling on towards the great me.
tropols.
Eight years have passed away. Let us renew
our acquaintance with the two boys of whom We
have spoken.
John B., just merging into manhood, will soon
leave college, with diploma certifying tina, he
has successfully pursued the course of stud,
prescribed. He will soon M a graduate. Il,
this respect his youthful dream In. been fulfil.
ed. But as We look in upou him M he lit.
bowed over his table, we invouutarily shudd,,,
while we contrast those hagg"rd care-worn fra.
lures with those OF John b. Of eight year. avo.
Those sunken eyes bear rcsem blance to IN.
bright, sparkling eyes into Which we first looked
as he lay stretched upon his fathers sofa. We
turn from him and inquire the cau-. Of thi.
,b.,na 1nfeU nerance il ,h.