Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-11-28
[Original.]
THE UGLY THUMB.

THE UGLY THUMB.
"Papa," said little boy, "what makes your
thumb nail always grow 50 uglyT'
"My son, that is the mark God put upon
me that I might know myself own it is a
very bad looking nail, and caused me at one
time great deal of suffering but still this
thumb has been worth more to me than all
my other fingers together. have no doubt
this ugly thumb nail saved me from the gal
lows"
"Why cannot see how that can be-" said
the child.
"I dare not tell you the history of this
thumb. I hope, for your comfort, you may
never know it. This much I will tell you.
When I was a boy between twelve and if.
teen years old, I became the associate Of two
other boys of like age. We commenced work.
ing mischief in fun at first; but soon in earn
est. We became the pest of our neighbor-
hood. Our parents did not know our tricks
and would not believe those who informed
them of our conduct. One day we made pre-
paration to do very bad act. I will not
tell you what it was-the knowledge would
do you no good; but would, in all probabili-
ty, be source of grief to you all your life.
As it happened, got this thumb terribly
hurt, and 1 am glad of it to-day, and will be
glad of it as long as live. 1t put an end
to our mischief for that day. went home
with my hand streaming with blood, and my
face covered with shame. I determined, as I
went home holding one hand in the other,
that would turn over new leaf. told my
mother the whole. Her heart seemed as if it
would break. This made the impression upon
my mind deeper. For weeks and even months
suffered intense pain. After long time
the wound was healed, but it left this ugly
scar. I did turn over a new leaf. I never
again associated with my two former COM
panions, although they were in every respect
as good as I was, and were not as much to
blame for the mischief which we proposed to
do as I was In every respect they were my
superiors. They had as kind and loving par
ents as I had, and their social position was
even higher than mine. l determined to stop
working mischief, and every time I was in
clined to return to my former habits, the sight
of this thumb deferred me. My companions
went on as before. One of them had his
throat cut in drunken fight, and the other
fell in the fire whilst intoxicated and was
burnt to DEATH When I first heard the news
of these sad events, I looked at my ugly thumb
and warm tears Of gratitude ran down my
cheeks. But for this thumb, and the same or
similar evil would have befallen me. Ugly
as it is, it calls up to my mind the bitter re-
collection of the past, and tells me what I
would have been but for it. Had it not been
for this ugly thumb, you, my son, would not
have home to shelter you, and your father
would 60 down to the grave covered with
disgrace"
"DoN'T GIVE Up; BUT TRY, MY Boy,
TRY."-A gentleman, travelling in the north
ern part of Ireland, heard the voice Of chill
dren, and paused to listen.
Finding the sounds proceeded from small
building used as school-house, he drew near,
and, as the door opened, he entered, and lis
tened to the words the boys were spelling.
One little fellow stood apart, looking sad
dispirited. -,
"Why does that boy look so sad ?" asked
| the gentleman
"Oh, he's good for nothingp replied the
teacher "There's nothing in him. I can
make nothing of him. He's the most stupid
boy in the school," The gentleman was sur
prised at this answer He saw that the teach
er was so stern and rough that the younger
and more timid were nearly crushed. He
said few kind words to them; then placing
his hand upon the noble brow of the little fel-
low who stood apart, he said:
"One of these days you may be fine schol-
ar. Don't give up; but try, my boy, try"
The soul of the boy was aroused. His dor
mant intellect awoke. A new purpose was
formed. From that hour he become studious
and ambitious to excel And he did become
fine scholar, and the author of we'll ll-known
Commentary on the Bible; great and good
man, beloved and honored. 1t was DR.. Adam
Clarke. The secret of success is worth know
ing: "Don't give up; but try, my boy, try"
B6r A youthful Danbury lover who sang
and played before his young lady's house fer
two mortal hours, on a Friday night, was
electrified, after short pause, by a cordial
"Thank your gracefully pronounced by the
"other fellow" who appeared at the window.