The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-05-07
CLEAR GRIT,
Actions of Boy which gave Future
Promise of n Man.


Promise of Man.
About thirty years ago, said Judge
P, stepped into book store in Gin
cinnati, in search of some books that 1
wanted. While there, little ragged
boy, not over 12 years of age, came in
and inquired for geography.
"Plenty of them," was the salesman's g
reply:
cone dollar, my lad"
"I did not know they were so much. "
He turned to go out, and even opened
the door, but closed it again and came
back.
CT have got sixty-one CENTS" said
he "could you let me have O geo.
graphy, 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 disappoint-
ed little fellow looked up to me, with a
very poor attempt at a smile, and left
the store. L followed him, and over
took him.
"And what now ?" asked.
"Trying another place, sir"
"Shall go too, and see how you sue
ceed ?"
"Oh, yes, if you like" said he in
surprise.
-Four different stores I entered with
him, and each time he was refused.
"Will you try again ?" 1 asked.
eyes, sir, shall try them all, or 1
should not know whether I could get
one."
We entered the fifth store, and the
little fellow walked up manfully, and
told the gentleman just what he want
ed, and how much money he had.
"You want to buy book very cheap?"
said the proprietor.
"Yes, sir, very much"
"Why do you want it so very, very
much ?"
"To study, sir. I 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 sailer, and want to learn of the
places where he used to CO."
"Doess he go to these places now p
asked the proprietor.
"He is dead" said the boy, softly.
Then he added, after a while, "I'm
going to be sailor, too"
care you, though ?" asked the gen.
tleman, raising his eyebrows curiously
"Yes, sir, if live"
"Well, my lad, will tell you what 1
will do ; will let you have a new
geography, and you may pay the re-
mainder of the money when you can, or
L will let you have one that is not new
for fifty cents"
care the leaves all in it, and just
like the others, only not new?"
"Yes, Just like the new ones."
"It will do just as well, then, and 1
shall have eleven cents left toward buy
ing some other book. am glad they
did not let me have one at any of the
other places"
The bookseller looked up inquiring-
ly, and I 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 perse-
verance. Always have courage like
that, and you will make your mark, u
said the bookseller.
"Thank you, sir, you are so very
good"
"What is your name ?"
William Haverley, sir"
"Do you want any more books ?"
now asked him.
"Mere than can ever get," he re,
piled, glancing at the books that filled
the shelves.
1 gave him bank note. eft will
buy some for you," said.
Tears of Joy came into his eyes.
"Can buy anything want with it p
eyes, my lad, any ything."
"Then 1 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 l gave it tc
him. Then left him standing by the
counter so happy that almost enviet
him, and many years passed before
saw him again.
Last year went to Europe on one o
the finest vessels that ever ploughe(
the waters of the Atlantic. We hat
very beautiful weather until very neal
the end of the voyage; then came mos
terrible storm that would have sunk al
on board had it not been for the cap
tain. Every spar was laid low, the rud
u6r WAS aluOSb uSelcsS, anu BICdb iOai
had shown itself, threatening to fill thu
ship. The crew were all strong, willing
men, and the mates were practical sea
men of the frst-class but after pump
ing for one whole night, and the waite
still gaining upon them, they gave NJ
in despair, and prepared to take tn
boats, though they might have know
no small boat could ride such a sea
The captain, who had been below will
his charts, now came up he saw hoy
matters stood, and, with a voic
, that heard distinctly above the roa
of the tempest, ordered every man t.
his post.
1t was surprising to see those me-
bow before the strong will of their cap
tain, and hurry back to the pumps
The captain then started below to ez
i anime the leak. AS he passed me
] asked him if there was any hope. ii
] looked at me, and then at the othe
J passengers, who had crowded up t
hear the reply, and said, rebukingly;