Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-09-27
SELECTED STORY
BOY AND MAN.
A LIFE STORY.

a LIFE STORY.
We Go not relate the following for the
purpose, particularly, of pointing moral
though there is moral most emphatic II
the case nor do we present it as rule Of
life for the guidance Of influential men
though many men might proGtably take a
hint therefrom We tell it as simple sto
ry Of real life, and though it may by some
be deemed an exceptional case, yet all will
admit that the exception is very pleasant
one. Some will read this to whom the sto-
ry will not be new, but they will enjoy its
perusal none the less for that
In the year 1852 there was upon the Poor
Farm of Winford boy named David Carl
ton He was child of misfortune, and a
dark cloud had rested upon the early morn
ing Of his life. His mother had been a
bright, winsome girl, betrayed and forsaken,
and finally cast upon the town for support
So her child was born pauper She had
lived to nurse it a few short months, and had
then died, and from that time the child had
been the charge of the Superintendent of
the Farm. Whatever may have been the
developed character Of the father Of that
child, he must have possessed strong manly
qualities at heart. for the boy betrayed her.
editary points Of mental power which could
not have been derived from his mother. Yet
from his mother be had inherited mildness
and evenness of temper which served him
we'll in the trying ordeal Of his boyhood.
The children from the Town Farm Cor
Poor FARM attended the common school Of
the district within which the Farm was To-
Gated but they could not be like other
children. Even the parents of the more
fortunate scholars-Christan men and wo-
men they were-did not wish that their
children should associate too freely with the
children themselves took the lesson. and
acted upon 1t. As rule-and, under the
circumstances, a very natural rule-these
aims house children did not progress very
much in the way Of useful education but
there were exceptions to the rule; and Da-
vid Carlton was one Of the exceptions In
spite of the Sights which were put upon aim
he learned rapidly, ana he was good boy.
1t was his goodness and mildness which
helped him. He never complaioed, but
bore his unfortunate lot with meekness, and
tried to merit the good opinion of those who
had him in charge.
Capt. Tom Richards was the oVerseer Of
the Poor Farm, and he liked the boy And
Capt. Toms wife liked him, too; and they
helped him to study and to learn.
ssPoor boy,!" said Mrs. Richards,
she said it more than once,-she'll never
make much way in the world. wish be
had more spirit. He bears too much. He's
too meek. and tender.hearted altogether p
To May of 1852, David Carlton was
twelve years Of age. The date of his birth
was set down in the record of the aims
house, and on this twelfth anniversary there
of Capt Tom, from his own purse, gave
him new suit of clothes; and when the lad
had donned the garb the Captains wiferde.
clared that there wasn't better !ookiDg
boy in the town "Oh! if he only had a
little more spirit ]" -
Andrew Bishop was the leading merchant,
and, in fact, the leading man. of Winford.
He was capable business man, and he had
been fortunate, and his wealth gave him
power and station Mr.. Bishop had signi
fed bis desire to take smart, intelligent
boy into his store, to bring him up to bust
ness Capt. Tom thought here would be a
chance for David, SO he took the lad with
him to the village, and called upon Mr.
Bishop at his dwelling. The boy was in.
troduced to the merchant, and when the
Captain had explained his errand, David was
directed to retire into another room
Now, it SO happened that in the partition
between the two rooms was window-and
this window was open-and thus the boy
heard distinctly all that was said by the mer
in their consultation. He heard Capt. Ton
speak in terms Of praise and commentator
There was brief pause, and then Mr.
Bishop replied
sNo, no, Captain Richards, [ cannot take
him. do not blame the boy 1t is no
my horses fault that he is horse; but be
ing horse, cannot admit him to my
parlor. So it is not David Cartons faul
that be is. child Of disgrace; but the sham
UeluS uPoH niu, canuot plaoo ~
position which would involve his association
with the members Of my family"
t'But," urged Richards, "this boy Ii
good and true"
''But he cannot shake off the dust OF tn
shame that is upon him. interrupted Blsh
OBJ. ''What is born with the flesh will b
manifest in the man. Put him upon farm
Captain. Let him find home among tn
lowly and the humble, and then bis mlsfor
tune may not be flung in his face" :,
GAS you would fling it p retorted tn
Captain, in high dudgeon.
GAS I would fling it p
"Aye,-as you fling it, even now y
if the boy ever has chance, I pray God b
may improve it, and stand your equal 1t
in him p
i And with this the irate captain called to
the boy, aud left the merchants mansion
"You don't ask me if Mr.. Bishop WI
take you," said Capt. Tom, after they ha
been upon the road time in silence.