St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1874-06-26
Why Don't You Smoke ?
\ Lesson FOR BOTH LARGE AND SMALL
HOl<,

EOYS.
"Fathcr. why don't you smoke ?" said
Harry Brown one evening.
Il did smoke at one time. my son.
"Why did you give it up!"
"BcrauSe could not afford it,
"Wcrc You 50 very poor. father ,"
No: | WIS about as well off when |
left off as am now. | suppose"
Il am sure don't Sc" why You can't
afford it. There is Frank Richards
father. who smokes half dozen cigars
il day. and gives away as many more ::
but he wouldn't think he could keep
such Il nice carriage. and 81 many
horses as You have. don't see why
you are obliged To deny y 'luSclf any
thing he can have. don't think this
room. or anything i'll it. looks much
like poverty.
"Wcll, my son. | think can afford
these things because they adj very
much to the comfort of those | love.
Let us speak first of your things. Harry.
| don't think Nou would take half the
comfort You do now if | should sell
your Saddlc-horSc. lou gratitcd me
very much by the interest lou showed
in your studies. and the rapid progress
You made last term: but Nou know
that close application in school WAS in
.iuling your health. and YOU did not
regain it until | provided Nou with "A
horse. think your rides have been IL
great advantage to You. Gou would
he Sorry to have me sell your prancing
Major. wouldn't YOU -
"lndeed should. father, | can't tell
you how badly | should feel to part
with him. never give up my NOM
ing 9allop. unless it rains pitchforll$, -
Il will consider il settled, then. that
| can keep horse for YOU: and be
cause it adds 80 much to the comfort of
Your mother and sister. can keep
Il horse and carriage for them. Mrs
Richards is almost as much of an III
valid as your mamma. and think if
her husband would consider and give
up some foolish expenses. he might
keep Il carriage for her. She ALWAYS
seems quite delighted when your mann
ma asks her To ride with us Now |
have wandered Il little from the Smok
ing question -" You still wish to know
why gave il up -
Yes, father. | am quite impatient Ia
hear
AS | was going down town. one
Monday morning, several Years ago.
SIM Il little boy sitting by the curb
stone. trying to pick up the shattered
fragments of small wares which he was
i'll the habit of selling up and down the
street. lie was lame. and any one
could see III il glance that ne was I'M
able to perform any labor. and. as
learned atterward. he did all he could
for the support of Il widowed mother.
When | SAW what Il sad plight he was
III. asked him how it had all happen
ed.
81 was looking at my toys he said,
sobbing they were set up so pretty
on the board. had more money than
usual last Saturday night. and this was
my new stock. Mother helped me fix
them this morning: now my board is
all split to pieces, and this little chick
en- is the only thing have left. | was
Just going round the corner he said.
when heard il carriag" coming. and |
STATED to hurry across the street. keep
ing my eyes on my pretty toys. sir.
instead of looking to see where | put
my feet: | slipped and fell the board
and toys went away over there. and
the carriage came around the corner
and ran right over them: hut it didn't
touch me bit. The driver called ont.
Pick up your chickens, BIB: when
they are big enough to lay. I'll buy
some eggs of YOU and drove off. laugh
ing as hard as he could. | could for
give him if he hadn't laughed. Don't
you think ii WAS cruel. sir p
"'ll"w much did your stock cost. my
Young man? | said.
Just two dollars. sir.
"'lIow much could YOU have sold
them for p
"'Five or six dollars. perhaps; the
regular price would he four dollars. but
sometimes Ladies' and children lool,
down at my lame foot and say. Never
mind about the change. that is cheap
enough Last week several ladies gave
me money. and would not take any
thing for it !: and that is how | happen
ed to have So much money last week
After paving mothers rent for two
weeks. had enough to buy these
things.
Il was Just about going into a corner
store to make a purchase. Nhen | first
noticed the boys miShap. had just
two dollars in my pocket, which should
have spent for cigars for that was the
purchase | intended to make. and in
less than two days they would have
been burned to ashes or. in other