Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-04-05
THE SECRET.
BY MISS E. B. BARNES.

A correspondent requests us to
the following story, writ
ten several years since for the New
FORK Observer.
''Here, boys, are twenty shillings
for each of you," said Mr.. Mitchell
to his twin sons, Clarence and Ed
ward, on a bright winter morning,
as they sat at breakfast-he handed
them each q gold piece-"I hear
that you are at the head of your
classes in French and Latin; and
this is to express my sati sfaction at
your progress. You arc at liberty,
of course, to expend it as you
please; but there is an art in spend
ing money. 1t may be done selfishly
or disinterestedly. II may be pro-
ductive OF happiness Or bitter MEM
ories, and though the sum be small, !,
how to spend it is worth learning"
"Tell us something about it, ia
ther," said Clarence, after they both
thanked him cordially. (Which
way do you think best?"
''I would rather, my son, that you
should reflect upon the subject, and
draw your own conclusions. Watch
for an opportunity to do with il
something which your heart ap-
proves. The love of money, you
know, is called the "root of evil;'
but money may be made the source
of good. Use it as you think best"
The boys looked very thoughtful.
They wished that he would only
say what he thought best. Then
they appealed to their mother; but
eli n Of fhoiF. fofhos.fc 1ocf
sion, to throw the responsibility on
ment into exercise.
Some days after, as the two boys
were in their fathers library, he
said to them, "you have not told me
how you spent your gold pieces"
Edward drew his from his pocket
"There it is, father. have not
spent it yet"
"And yours, Clarence"
SIT has all gone, father"
"IndeedI and what have you to
show for it?"
''Nothing, SIR" Clarence bent
his head modestly, but without
shame, and there was a manlinesc
in his tone; which convinced his ia.
ther that all was right.
Nothing? Well, that may be; but
l will venture to say nay boy has moi
made an Improbable investment
"I hope not, sir"
elf he had done wrong with it
he would not be my Clarence" SAID
the mother tenderly.
Clarence looked at her with al
expression of deep feeling, then
went to her silently, put his arm,
affectionately about her neck, anC
laid his head upon her shoulder
When he raised it again = tear lay
upon her robe.
Darling boy, ,"-she embraced
him tenderly. "The secret is yours
You have a right to it, and an
sure it is an honorable one"
"Thank you, mother" he whis-
pered in her ear. 'Does father
think so? Is he satisfied?" His
mother repeated his question.
10 be sure my son. l am salts
fed. Come here" and he threw
his arms around him, and laid hi:
| head upon his bosom-t'Father viii
trust where he has never had cause
to distrust."
Clarence could only once more
whisper his thanks. 1t was tender.
ness, not grief, that caused his tears
| He was q type of all that is nobl,
and generous in boyhoOd. Had ht
been otherwise; had he expended
his gift in folly or in vice, no re
proaches that could have been ut
tered, would have affected him, o.
called him to bitter repentance, Hk,
the confidence which was reposeC
in him, and the tenderness whicl
had Just been manifested. To Prov
himself worthy of that love anC
confidence would henceforth be hi
highest earthly ambition. Oh! tina
all parents would but understand
thisl and appealing to the highe
nature, the nCbler attributes of thei
children, call them into exercise.
Edward wished from his heart
that his brother would reveal t,
him what he had done, but, ther
was a code of honor in that house
hold, as there should be in ever,
home, and il was understood by a.
its members. Clarence had show
by his silence that he did not wis
to be questioned. Yet no on
for q moment doubted that he ha
made a right use of his money.
And now, although Clarence sur
poses his secret to be safe from q
but the eye of his Father in Heaye
we who have followed him unseeI
and watched him through all, wi
relate it in confidence to oU
readers.
| The day on which he received Il