Saint Mary's beacon., 1873-08-28

A SroRr ron Boys. let me isll
scu = story. Ones sron . time . youth
len bis home at sixteen years of age. to
learn a traie-a dirty. disagrecsble trade.
but one that his parents thought good
one in q pecuniary point Of view. He
went into a strange neighborbood where
his name was not known. Around his
own home he was somebody's son; in his
new home he was somebody else's appren.
tice. Around his old home the doors of
raspectability were opened to somebody's s
son; IN his new home the doors of respec.
liability were closed tightly against some
body's apprentice. This was a new order
OF things, and surprised him very much
at 6rst-yet. when he reflected coolly, he
did not much blame respec,ability for its
self-preservation. There are doors that
open easily to every conner. These he
Stunned. There are apprentices in every
village who will bear stunning d;e il.
The important question was, "What should
he do 7 After discussing this, amid the
din and dirt. he said to himself: .Well.
if ! can't go where Fought. will not go
at all" Easy to say. hard to do; because
he was just like you-he liked fun jus. as
well as you do. and spice of mischief.
too. lie must do something In self
defence he began TO read. The old sys-
tenn Of apprenticeship in the country used
to require the boys and journeymcn to
work until O'Clock In the evening in win.
ter. and after this was done !; was cus,o.
mary to loaf about ...e coravrs, stores and
'averns "atil s, 10. or IL o'clock. Tom
Ithe boy went to bed. In the morning
it was difficult to get boys and Journey
mon up to breakfast at $50 or 7. Tom
got up ut 4 o'clock. souetimes.at 3, some
times even US early as 2. in misiake-for
his rule was to get up when he got awake,
and from that time until the others got up
he read and studied. His morning can.
die came in time to be signal for the vil-
layers who had occasion to start some
where early. He borrowed money to buy
books with, borrowed others, took lead
ing newspaper. and in the quie, morning
hours took in food for the days reflection
This course bore its legitimate fruit; he
went to his level. or rather put himself
there. and he now lives in the neighbor.
hood Of the old shop. a. much respected
as any one. l believe he has written two
or three books, and in every respect would
be considered up to the "NIediocrity."
leave you TO imagine all the harlships, il
you can, Of the situation. and would ask
you what you do from to 6 o'clock in
the morning. These two hours, rightly
used. will be worth more to you than YOU
can possibly conceive. When you awake.
get up instantly. You may bring excuses
for the other twenty -four hours, ou, those
two you waste if you sleep them. "Mid-
night oil" is a humbug. You 90 to bed
IN tae evening when YOU are tired. and
set your mind to work in the morning
when you are rested. Guard your charac-
ter in the beginning. and in the end i,
viii guard you. To tell you the fate OF
other apprentices who loafed the evenings
and slept the mornings away. is not my
intention. Try Toms course for one year,
and you will find your pay in genuine hap
piness. Your usefulness will increase,
yo':r self-respect will strengthen. your
mind will develop in harmony with your
bodily growth. and your whole being will
march along the upward path rejoicing.