The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-12-15
Vol. XI.

he would do his work.
In an hour or two the room be-
gan to fill with customers, and soon
all the clerks were busy as they
could be. Jack was nearly every.
where, with his pleasant ':Let me
help you, please" and when night
came, all were ready to praise the
eirand boy for good nature and
willing assistance. That night Jack
slept sweetly. He had done his
whole duty. His employer approx
ed his conduct, but, what was bet
ter than all, his conscience vhis-
pered: ':Peace, you've done right.
The sun was just peeping over the
hills when Jack rose next morning,
and as soon as the store was opened
he was in his place. All day, as the
day before, Jack was busy When
the store was closed he left happy,
but his limbs were tired; the work
he had to perform was more than
he was accustomed to do, but he
did not complain.
Thus matters went on. Jack
gradually rose in the confidence OF
all who knew him, and, if a mes
sage was to be sent in haste, a pack
age delivered promptly, or a check
cashed at the bank, Jack was the
boy to do it. His word was con-
sidered truth itself. One day one
of the clerks wished to send a pack
age to the express Office. Calling
Jack, he said: "Take this to the
Office, quick: run please. I want
it to 60 out to-day, and T am afraid
you will be too late
Away Jack bounded, but had not
gone far before he heard some one
shout: "Hallo! Jack Knowles
wait for a fellow. 7 am going that
way"
Il can't, Bill; T must hurry with
this package"
"Wait till I catch up. I am 60
ing that way" Bill fastened and
come up with Jack, who never stop
ped until Bill Smith seized him by
the shoulder, saying: ''Wait a bit
Don't kill yourself. Whose is that
you got? Where are you going
What's the hurry?"
1T is Mr.. Johnson's;. [ am 60
ing to the express Office. I am
afraid I will be too late; if you go
with me you must run" So saying,
he shook off Bills hand and sped
away, leaving his companion behind,
muttering to himself: ''Such a boy!
He'd kill himself, if old Jones, or
any Of them clerks told him to.
You wouldn't catch me working that
way for nobody He turned to
find some one who had more leis-
ure than Jack.
:'Here, sir, please send this
package to-day, sir, please" said
Jack to the clerk in the express
Office stopping two or three times
to get his breath.
"All right; you are just in time,
my little man; two minutes more
and the Office would have closed.
"Oh, I am glad I didn't wait for
Bill Smith," he said, half aloud
Then after: stopping a moment to
rest, he hastened back with a light
step feeling that he had done right
and this pleasant feeling more than
paid for his trouble. ''Just in time
Mr.. Johnson; two minutes more
| would have been too late"
Thank you, thank you, Jack
| I viii not forget this favor"
NO thanks are due me; I have
only done my duty"
A few days afterwards, Mr.. Jones
called Jack into the counting room
and handed him package, saying
::This was left for you" Jack
opened it and found a beautiful
Bible with his name in gilt letters
on the side, while on fy-leaf h
read: 'sTo the boy who is always
on time. J." Tears Of JOY came int
his eyes as he stammered, Il don
deserve it,
| II am sure I know nothing abou
that, said Mr.. Jones; Il suppos'
some one thought you did, or the.
would not have given it to you," b
added kindly.
1T must be Mr.. Johnson" ant
he hurried off to ind that gentle
man, but he was busy and continu
ed so all day. Jack thought b
was unusually industrious for h
could never see him at leisure, an<
| oo7,l5 NOT tell him how much b