Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-11
sELECTED-THE LITTLE HERO

Gan boy De nero vi course ne can,
if he has courage. and good opportunity
TO show it. The boy who will stand up for
the right, stick to the truth. resist tempta-
tiOn, and suffer rather than do wrong. IL
moral hero.
Here is an example of true beroism. A
little drummer boy, who had become
great fayorite with the officers, was asked
by the captain to drink glass of rum.
But he declined. saying, am cadet OF
temperance, and DO not taste strong drink.
- But you must take some now, said
the captain. - You have been on duty all
cay, beating the drum and marching, and
row you must not refuse. insist upon it. -
But sui the boy stood firm. and held fast
to his integrity. The captain then turned
to the major and said Our little drum
mer boy Is afraid to drink. lie will never
make a soldier
d" How is this ?" said the major in a
playful manner. DO you refuse 70 obey the
orders Of your captain -
Sir, said the boy, - have never re-
fused to obey the captains orders. and have
tried to do my duty as soldier faithfully
but | must refuse to drink rum, because
know it will do me an injury"
." Then" said the major. in stern tone
OF voice. in order to test his sincerity, "
command you to take a drink. and you
know it is death to disDbey order"
The little hero, fixing his clear. blue eye
on the face o! the Oincer, said = SIR, nv
father died a drunkart and when | en-
tered the army, | promised my dear mother
that would no; take drop of rum. and |
mean to keep my promise. am sorry TO
disobey orders. sir bat | would rather sui
Ter anything than disgrace my mother and
break my temperance pledge Was not
that boy hero?
The officers approved the conduct OF that
noble boy, and told him that 50 long as he
kept that pledge, and performed his duty
faithfully as a soldier. he might expect re-
gard and protection.
THE BOY THAT coUL NOT AFFORD TO SWEAR.
A boy stood near the entrance Of a large
hotel with box OF backing and pair Of
brushes in his hand, thus showing to the
pa-sers-by that he was ready to black their
boots Tor a copper. Patiently be waited.
as one after another passed by without need
iug his services, until at last two young
Ii en-. fashionably ires ed. and each with u
cigar in his mouth stopped before him.
Here, Boots" said one, Iudely "let mc
see if you are master of your trade )" and
be put his foot on the boys knee. Charlie,
the bootblack. worked with will. and soon
| The two young men amused themselves
meanwhile by trying 10 irighten the boy,
urging him to hurry. threatening to cane
| him, and swearing prOiaEeiy at every other
word Charlie stood II as long as be could;
/ one boot was finished. and the other black
| ed preparatory to polishing when he quicI-
| ly rose and prepared to put up his brushes
" What now - asked the young man.
IL would rather not flush them. sir, ]"
replied Charlie.
Not finish them ~ said the gentleman,
with an oath - then you don't see the
color OF nv money"
&" don't want your money, sir, and
will not stand here and listen to your swear
ing :" and ne turned 10 move away.
" Let the boy alone, and have him hnish
his work." said the other youth.
"Very well Here. boy. finish this boot,
and tell me what you mean. a bOot-blAck
afraid of swearing That is good joke''
II am afraid of it. sir | don't want to
hear it, or 90 where it is. and wont work
fer a msn who swears at me.
:. And you want to make me believe that
Won don't swear2 Why, there l. not one
of your trade that wouldn't both swear and
steal"
oh, you are much mistaken many OF
the boys neither steal nor swear. am sure
nothing could make NE steal, and | cannot
afford TO swear.
=" Cannot afford to swear Come, now,
do you mean to say that 1t costs anything 70
swear"
Yes, sir it would cost me more than a
million OF pounds.
" What, a million Of pounds In VIA
way is your money invested ~
I'm the pearl of great price. Ii lost Ii
l..
| cannot afford to swear. My SUNDAY
!, school teacher teaches me that it is wicked
and nv mother iorbids me to do it. | shodll
disobey all OF them if did it. and lose my
|, soul 80 you see. cir. | cannot afford {.
, swear
The boy is right said the young IN Al
/, who had listened to the conversation IN 81
lence. =. But how happens it that you ar
different from the rest Of your companions
They do not think il q sin to swear ana
suppose some Of them 20 TO Sunday-schoo
/ | too" :,
:. Perhaps they have no mother. siit
, Charlie, .'or not such good one as MIN
: =. Well, here's your money, Boots ;
, suppose DO swear little, but am oaij
one out Of many"
" But always one more, sir. And ths'
the little boys hear you. and they see yo'
dressed 30 fine trey think 1t must be sfaar'
: and they learn to swear too. L thought :
Z myself at first. Thank you. SIR, as b
took the money. which vas silver instead
copper and please, sir. do not swea
: any more"
1 will think of it," said the youth, a
he passed on and he did think OF II
I though be felt rather sore at learning hi
. duty from . shoe-blsck.
IT.. ko,. s,1 uspla in di6nf0ut poftS