The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-10-24
A BRAVE BOY.

I"elfe yedio VI dSe, SaihC III anu inluiicu
! for geography.
, Plenty of them," said the salesman
} How much do they cost?'
Gone dollar, my lad
81 did not know they were so much"
, He turned to go out, and even opened the
} door, but closed it again and came back.
81 have got sixty-on CENTS" said he;
"could you let me have geography, and
wait little while for the rest of the
money!"
How eagerly his little bright eyes looked
for 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 fellow looked up to
me, with very poor attempt at smile
and left the store. l followed him and
overlook him.
"And what now ?" asked.
"Try another place, SIR"
"Shall l go, too, and see how you sue
ceed?"
sob, yes, if you like" said he in sur
prise.
Four different stores l entered with him,
and each time he was refused.
"Will you try again % asked.
" Yes, sir, 1 shall try them all, or l
should not know whether could get one."
We entered the fifth store, and the little
fellow walked up manfully, and told the
man just what he wanted, and how much
money he had.
"You want the book very much ?" said
the proprietor.
Eyes, sir; very much"
"Why do you want it so very much ?"
"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. Beside, my father was sailor, and
wanted to learn of the places where he
used to CO."
"Does he 60 to those places now ?" ask
ed the proprietor.
He is dead" said the boy, softly
Then he added after while, 81 am going
to be a sailor, too"
fare you, though ?" asked the gentle
man, raising his eyebrows curiously.
Yes, sir; if live."
"Well, my lad, l will tell you what l
will do; will let you have a new geogra-
ply, and you may pay me the remainder Of
the money when you can, or, 1 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 ?''
Yes, just like the new Ones"
st will do just as well, then, and |
shall have eleven cents left toward buying
let me have one at some of the other
places"
The bookseller looked up nqurngly
and told him what had seen of the little
fellow. He was much pleased, and when
he brought the book along, saw nice,
new pencil, and some clean, white paper
in it.
GA present, my lad, for your persever-
arce. Always have courage like that, and
you will make your mark" said the book
seller.
"Thank you, sir; you are very good.''
what is your name?'
civilian Haverley, sir"
"Do you want any more books ?'' now
asked him.
"More than can ever get" he replied,
glancing at the books that filled the shelves.
I gave him a bank-note. =" 1t will buy
some for you" l said.
Tears of joy came into his eyes.
"Can buy what want with it ?"
Eyes, my lad, anything"
"Then will buy book for mother"
said he; 81 thank you very much, and
some day hope l can pay you back"
He wanted my name, and l gave it to
him. Then l left him standing by the
counter so happy that almost envied him,
and many years passed before l saw him
again.
Last year l went to Europe on one of the
finest vessels that ever plowed the waters
of the Atlantic. We had very beautiful
weather until very near the end of the
voyage; then came a most terrible storm,
that would have sunk all on board had it
| boG DCCu lOl GHS Sdptdip. Lively Spal
laid low, the rudder was almost useless,
and great leak had shown itself, threaten
ing to fill the ship. The crew were all
strong, willing men, and the mates were
practical seamsn of the first class; but
after pumping for one whole night and the
water still gaining upon them, they gave
up in despair, and prepared to take to the
boats, though they might have known that
no small boat could ride such a sea. The
captain, who had been below with his
charts, now came up; he saw how matters
stood, and with voice that l heard dis
tinctly above the roar of the tempest
ordered every man to his post.
1t was surprising to see those men bow
before the strong will Of their captain, and
hurry back to the pumps. The captain
then started below to examine the leak.
AS he passed me l asked him if there was
any hope. He looked at me and then at
other passengers, who crowded up to hear
the reply, and said rebukingly,-
Yes sir; there is hope as long as one
inch of this deck remains above water;
when see none of it, then l shall abandon
the vessel, and not before, nor one of the
crew, sir. Everything shall be done to
save it, and if we fail it will not be from
inaction. Bear a hand, and every one of
you at the pumps
Thrice during the day did we despair;
but the dauntless courage perseverance,
and powerful will mastered every man on
board, and we went to work again.
81 will land you safely at the dock in
Liverpool" said he, If you will be men."
And he did land US safely; but the vessel
sunk moored to the dock. The captain
stood on the deck of the sinking vessel.
receiving the thanks and the blessings of
passengers as they passed down the gang
plank. l was the last to leave. AS | pass
ed, he grasped my hand and said,-
"Judge P, do you recognize me ?"