National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-07
CLEAR GRIT.
ACTIONS OF A BOY WHICH GAVE FU-
TITRF PROMISE OF THE MAN.

4
ACTIONS OF A BOY WHICH GAVE FU-
TURE PROMISE OF THE MAN.
cFrom the Springfield Republican,
About thirty years ago, said Judge r, l
stepped into book store in Cincinnati in search
of some books that I wanted. While there, a
little ragged boy, not over twelve years of age,
came in and inquired for a geography.
"Plcnty of them" was the salesman's re-
ply.
Chow much do they.costl"
"One dollar, my lad"
"Idid not know they were so much" He
turned to go out, and even opened the door, but
closed 1t again and came back.
"Ihave got sixty-one 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 pan, not very
kindly, told him he could not. The disap-
pointed little fellow looked up to me, with q
very poor attempt at q smile, and left the store.
| l followed him, and overlook him.
"And what now?" 1 asked,
"Try another place, SIR"
sShan GO too, and see how you succeed"
ooh, yes, Il you like, said he in surprise.
Four different stores entered with him, and
each time he was refused.
"Will you try againl" l asked.
eyes, sir; 1 shall try them all, or should
not know whether could get ONE"
We entered the fifth store, and the little fell
low walked up manfully and told the gentle
man Just what he wanted, and how much he
had.
t'You want the book very muchi" said the
proprietor.
"Yes, very much"
"Why do you want it so very, very muchi'
''To study, sir. 1 can't go to school; but
study, when can at home. All the boys have
got one, and they will get ahead'of me. Be-
Sides my father was q sailor, and want to
learn of the places where he used to CO."
"Does he 60 to those places nowp asked the
''He is dead" said the boy softly. Then he
added, after while, "I'm going to be sailor
too"
"Are you, thought" asked the gentleman,
raising his eyebrows curiously.
eyes. sir, If live"
"WeI, 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
IN, 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"
"It will do just as well, then, and shall
have eleven cents left toward buying some
other book. am glad they did not let me
have one at any of the other places"
The bookseller looked up inquiringly, and
told him what had seen Of the little fellow.
He was much pleased, and when he brought
the book along saw q nice, new pencil and
some clean, white paper in it.
| "a present, my lad, for your perseverance,.
Always have courage 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 you want any more books" now asked
him.
"More than can ever get," he replied,
glancing at the books that filed the shelves.
gave him banknote. sit will buy some
for you," said.
Tears of joy came into his eyes.
"Can buy what want with itl"
eyes, my lad, anything"
"Then will buy book for mother" said
he. 81 thank you very much, and some day
hope / can pay you back"
He wanted my name, and gave It to him.
Then ! left him standing by the counter so
happy that I almost envfed HUI, and many
years pasted before saw him aga&-
Last year went to Europe GA one Of the
finest vessels that ever Dlowe9 the waters of
the Atlantic. We had v.sv beautiful weather
until very near the end Of the voyage; then
came terrible storm that would have sunk
all on board had 1t not been for the captain.
Every spar was laid low, the rudder was al
most useless, and great leak had shown itself,
threatening to fill the ship. The crew were all
strong, willing men, and the mates were prac-
teal seamen of the first class but after pump
ing for one whole night and the water still
gaining upon them, they gave up in despair and
prepared to take the boats, though they might
have known no small boat could ride such o
sea. The captain, who had been below with
his charts, now came up; he saw how matters
stood, and, with voice that heard distinctly
above the roar of the tempest, ordered every
man to his post. ....-..-... --- b.
1t was surprising to see those men bow be-
fore the strong will of their capteiD, and hurry
back to the pumps. The captain then started
below to examine the leak. As he passed me
/ asked him If there was any hope. He looked
at me, and then at the other passengers, who
had crowded up to hear the reply, and said,
reluctantly:
Of this deck remains above water; when / see
none of it, then / shall abandon the vessel,
and not before, nor one of my crew, sir.
Everything shall be done to save 1t, and If we
fail 1t will not be from inactien. Bear hand,
every one of you, at the pumps"
Thrice during the day did We despair but
the captains dauntless coarage, perseverance,
and powerful will mastered every man on board,
and we went to work again.
| 81 will land you safely at the dock in Liver
pool, }" said he, 'tf 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 the passengers as
they passed down the gang plank, i was the
last to leave. As passed he grasped my hand
and said:
Judge P do you recognize mep
/ told him that was not aware that ever
saw him until stepped aboard his ship.
"Do you remember the boy in Cncinnatil'
avery well, sir; William Hayerley."
81 am he, :" said he. "God bless youa"