Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-12-13
5Aiscellanu.
A Brave Boy.

/
alton in a store as errand boy, until he
could command higher position; but
this boy had been in bad company, and
had got into the habit of calling for
bitters" and cheap cigars.
On looking over the paper he noticed
that a merchant in Pearl street wanted a
lad of his age, and he called there and
made his business known.
"Walk into my office, my lad" said
the merchant, "Ill attend to you soon."
( When he had waited upon his custom
er he took a seat near the lad, and espied
cigar in his hat. This was enough.
My boy," said he, :" | want smart,
honest faithful lad, but you | see smoke
cigars. and in my experience of many
years have found cigar smoking lads
to be connected with various other evil
habits, and if | am not mistaken you are
not an exception. You can leave; you
will not suit me-"
John held down his head and left the
store and as he walked along the street,
a stranger and friendless, the counsel of
his poor mother came forcibly to mind,
who upon her death bed, called him to
her side and placing her emaciated hand
upon his head, said, "Johny, my dear
boy. Pm going to leave you. You well
know what disgrace and misery your
father brought upon us before his death,
and l want you to promise me, before |
die that you will never taste one drop of
the accursed poison that killed your ia
ther nor tobacco. Promise me this, and
be good boy, Johny, and shall die in
peace"
The scalding tears trickled down
Johny's cheek He went to his lodgings,
and throwing himself upon his led, gave
vent to his feelings in sobs that we're
heard all over the house.
But John had moral courage. He
had energy and determination, and ere
an hour had passed had made up his
mind never to taste another drop of liz
uor, nor to smoke another cigar.
He went straight back to the mer-
chant. Said he, Sir, you very proper
ly sent me away this morning for habits
that have been guilty of; but sir, |
have neither father nor mother, and
though | have occasionally done what l
, ought not to do, and have not followed
the advice of my poor mother on her
death bed, yet l have now made a sol
emn vow never to drink another drop of
liquor, nor smoke another cigar; and if
you will only try me, 1t is all ask"
The merchant was struck with the de-
cision and energy of the boy, and at
once employed him. At the expiration
of FIVE years, this lad was a partner IL
!. the business, and is now worth ten thous.
and dollars.
A STORY OF LOVE AND FIDELITY
Capt. Charles Vincent sailed from Bos
ton to Calcutta in the month of August
1843. He left, in quiet town, Bangor
= Me-, young girl of Is. to whom he was
betrothed Capt. Vincent was but 2:
when, on that August day, his ship
" Laura Sheldon stood galley out tC
sea. No anxiety was felt for his safety
till nearly year had elapsed, and NJ
I, tidings of either ship, officers or crew
). had been received at home. Years came
and went, and hundreds of staunch Eas
Indiamen sailed into American harbors
but never a word regarding the shil
= Laura Sheldon was received. In th'
meantime the young girl, faithful to th'
J. memory of her sailor lover, remained
unmarried, refusing many advantageou
offers from suitors her equals in socia
es position and intellectual culture, for sh
is lady of superior mind. ThIougl
all the 80 years of silence she has beel
!. hopeful and, indeed, cheerful She ha
never despaired of the return of he
lover. On the 18th of September let
ter was received by her aged mothe
= postmarked Liverpool" The write
was Capt. Charles Vincent, now ma
of 54 years. He asked her to inforr
him if her daughter was still alive an
unmarried, and said that if the repl
should be to that effect that he shoul
sail at once for America. The mothe
Immediately answered this letter, carr
fully concealing everything from he
daughter. On the first day of this mont
Capt. Vincent alighted from the stag
at the door of his betrothed. OF th
circumstances of the Joyous meeting (
the long-separated lovers we are not Pc
mitted to speak, they are too sacred fC
the public ear. Capt. Vincent's stor
would fll volume. The Laura She
don " was wrecked in the Indian ocea
ire and only the captain and one sailor su
vived. They we're rescued from the
perilous condition on a raft after tv
days by brig bound to China. In ol