The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-03-14
A Story and a Sequel.

One of the rich men of New York
being called out for speech at a public
meeting ont West, said in substance:
Ladies' and gentlemen, will give
YOU true story, rs l told 1t some
months since to another audience with
somewhat startling effect. 1t illus
trates the fact that honesty and industry
are sure to meet with the reward they
merit About twenty years ago, /
started one fine Sunday morning on a
school with which / was associated.
Near Norfolk street / saw n hatless,
coatless, barefoOted boy. His unkempt
hair was fiery red, and Seemed to be
looking seven ways for Saturday. Now,
have no fault to find with red hair!
Cato had red hair, Sir Robert Peel had
red hair, Silas Wright had red hair;
Bulwer says:
IT'S the golden treasure nature showers doEn
on those foredoomed TO wear .fame's golden
crown
"Tinvited the red-haired boy to attend
my school. He frankly and bluntly
told me he would not do any such thing
"'You ought to attend the school, I
said hlandly.
"'Why ought I?' he inquired
brusquely.
owe teach boys to be good I an
swered.
"'But I don't want to be good, said
he.
"'Why not want to be good - I asked
with earnestness.
because I am hungry was the
prompt reply.
"It is now nine O'clock | said, look
ing at my repeater; haven't you had
breakfast yet?
"'No, sir
" "'Where do you live?'
Cup in the alley there, with aunty'
" Nothing to eat -
"'Nothing to eat to-day, and amty is
siek.'
"'Will you eat some gingerbread and
crackers, if l go to the bakery on the
corner and buy some for you"
Yes, sir, l guess l will, and glad to
get 'em.'
81 purchased nine cents worth OF gin
gerbread as red as his soft, luXuriant
hair, and he ate the supply with relish
that would have astOnished an alderman
at a turtle-soup festival.
"'WOuld you like to have some
more? said l to the hungry little waif.
"'Ies, sir, a little more, if you please,
was the quick reply. | handed him
the second supply, and then asked him
what he thought about going to my pei
I school, in q little hall around the corner
"'Well, sir said he, you've been 81
I good to me, if you will wait here till
/ take this gingerbread l have left t
aunty, | will 20 with yOu.' He soOI
returned to the sidewalk where l wa
waiting for him, and accompanied me
oro1rorfvff,rr IN his nov for. NOT no ~ n,
anything fit to wear at a Sunday school
at was his first day in school, and n
did not know how TO depOrt himself
He had a vague idea that slaps on tn
palm Of the hand with a ruler, pullin'
the hair and pinching the ears, was
part Of the discipline, and you maI
judge of his surprise when he founC
himself in the hands of a very pleasan
young lady, who spoke to him very
kindly, without scOlding him for hi!
untidy appearance.
/ "Our red-haired friend was highly
pleased with his treatment, and wheI
| the school was dismissed, hastened tC
/ tell every boy and girl of his acquaint.
ance of the kind reception he had met
with, and persuaded a large number OF
them to attend school on the following
| Sabbath. He continued his work,
week after week, and was a successful
missionary connected with the school.
He added so many boys and girls to
their numbers that it was found neces-
sary TO move TO q larger hall, and even
that soon became too small to accom-
modate the teachers and scholars.
"When a company of the boys was
taken from the city to the West to be
distributed among the farmers, the red
headed boy was with them. l used to
hear OF him most encouraging accounts;
of his growth in moral, mental and
material influence and position; and al
/ though l have not heard of him of late
years, yet feel sure that he is an hon
ored and prosperous man in the COM
munity where he lives.
"When t. said the speaker, chad
/ reached this part of my speech, was
astonished to see very tall, red-haired
man rise in the room to address the
audience. He said: Ladies and gentle
men, | am the person who stood on the
street in New York City and ate the
gingerbread! l came out West here,
and by minding my own business, ]
have earned money enough to buy q
farm. | own five hundred acres of as
| good land rs you can find out doors. NY
horse and carriage are at the door, and
| shall be happy to take the speaker tO
my house, where he shall be welcome to
stay as long as he pleases.'n