Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-04-25
CLEAR GRIT.
Actions OF the Boy who Gave Flu
ture Promise of the Man.


from the Springfield Republican.
About thirty years ago. said
Judge p, / stepped into a book
store in Cincinnati, in search of
some books that / wanted. While
there, little ragged boy, not
over twelve years of age, came in
and inquired for geography.
Plenty of them" was the sales
mans reply.
'How much do they cost?
Zone dollar, my lad"
II did not know they were so
much" He turned to go out, and
even opened the door, but closed it
again and came back.
Il have got sixty-one cents"
said he; "cou'd you let me nave
geography, and wait a little while
or the rest of the money ?u
How eagerly his little bright
eyes looked fer an answer! and
how he seemed to shrink within
his ragged clothes when the man,
not very kindly, told him he could
not The disappointed little fell
low looked up to me, with a very
poor attempt at a smile. and left
the store. / followed him, and
overlook him.
"And what now?" | asked
"Try another place, sir.u
"Shall | GO, too. and see how
you succeed ?"
"Oh, yes, if you like" said he
in surprise.
-Four different stores / entered
with him, and each time he was
refused.
Twill you try again ?" ] asked.
"Yes, sir, / shall try them all, or
should not know whether / could
get one"
We entered the fifth store, and
the little fellow walked up man
fully, and told the gentleman just
what he wanted, and how much
he had.
"You want the book very
much ?" said the proprietor.
eyes, sir, very much"
"Why do you want it SO very,
very much Z!
"To study, sir. / can't go to
school, but / study when | can at
home. All the boys have got one,
and they will get ahead Of me-
Besides, my father was sailor,
and | want to learn of the places
where he used to 60"
"Does he go to these places now 2"
asked the proprietor.
"He is dead" said the boy soft
ly. Then he added, after a while,
''I'm going to be sailor, too"
Are, you, though ?" asked the
gentleman, raising his eyebrows
curiously.
"Yes, sir, if live"
"Well, my lad, / will tell you
what will do | will let you have
new geography, and you may
pay the remainder of the money
when you can, or | will let you
have one that is not new for fifty
cents"
"Are the leaves all in it, and
just like the others, only not new ?"
eyes, just like the new ones"
ut will do just as well then, land
| shall have eleven cents left to-
ward buying some other book. /
am glad they did not let me have
one at any other places"
The bookseller looked up in
auiringly, and l told him what |
had seen of the little fellow. He
was much pleased, and when he
brought the book along, / saw a
nice, new pencil and some clean,
white paper in it.
"a present, my lad, for your
perseverance. Always have cour-
age like that, and you will make
your mark" said the bookseller"
"Thank you, sir, you are so
very good"
"What is your name ?'
civilian Haverley, SIR"
"Do want you any more books?"
/ now asked him.
"More than / can ever get" he
replied glancing at the books that
filled the shelves.
/ gave him bank note. at
will buy some for you" said.
Tears Of joy came into his eyes.
"Can / buy what | want with
it?"
eyes, my lad, anything"
"Then / will buy a book for
mother" said he; Il thank you
very much, and some Gay / hope
/ can pay you back"
He wanted my name and ! gave
it to him. Then | left him stand
ing by the counter SO happy that
| almost envied him, and many
years passed before / saw him
again.
Last year | went to Europe on
one of the finest vessels that ever