Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-12-13

An eccentric old gentleman of wealth,
named Morgan. invested a sum of money.
the income Of which he designed to be
used for the liberal education of the most
deserving lad in town.
He made his plan known TO five gentle
men. requesting them privately to make
observations and report TO him in six
months.
Had the boys known this. many Of them
might have used every means to gain his
G.vOrallc opinion. but as the matter was Il
secret. he had an opportunity to watch
them without suspecting his motive.
At the end of six months the five gentle
men met at Mr.. Morgan's and discussed
the question in all its bearings. Each had
his flyorite, whom he considered most
worthy.
There is Johnny ingalls,, who is a most
exemplary lad" said one. 'What fault
can YOU find with him. Mr.. Morgan
IL will tell YOU" was the reply. IL
once hired him to take some important let
tiers to the morning mail. but he met a
companion on the way. and was so anX-
ioIls for his own amusement that he neg
lectcd 10 mail the letters till it was too late.
and they were delayed Il day. A gentle
man heard him say to a companion that
'.he did not care mitch, so long as the old
fellow would never find it out" But the !
delay caused the loss of quite a sum Of
money.
"Gcntlcmcn.'' continued Mr.. Morgan. .
~ have tried in one way and another all
the boys you have mentioned. but none of
them satisfy me-
"Tlien YOU lave to give up your pro-
jcc,." said one: flor l think we have dis
cuSscd tie merits of :icarly every boy in
town.
II believe Jimmy has not been mention
cd" said Mr. Morgan.
What. Jimmy. the COW boy" asked
one. with a smile.
"Ycs. | believe ne drives cows to and
from pasture"
Surely. Mr.. Morgan. You must be jok
ing now"
"Inevcr joke and had any disposition
to. should not take poor little boy for
a subject
But. MIR. Morgan, do you know any
good Of this bOy:'
"Do You know any harm of hm?'
"Nothng special: but does he amount
10 anything except TO drive ,ows:''
ale never has had an OPPORTUNITY. but l
intend he shall have. lam fli.v decided TO
give him lie benefit of my projcc.
"You viii tell us the reason for making
him your choicc:"
"Cerianly. with pleasure. You call him
= COW hoy. Wen. that does not signify to ,
me one way or another. 1t is simply he
cause know him to be a good and faithful ,
COW boy that | gave him the preference. +
II seems "A small thing to drive cows to ,
pasture. but he is the only one who has Ill .
ways done it faithfully every day. the sea- .
son through. the same in my absence as
when was at home. while Others lOitered ,
on tie way. and allowed them TO stray in =.
10 other Enclosures for the day. thinking il ,.
would never be known. 1t is evident TO !,
me that if he is so strictly faithful in small :,
things. he has the right spirit in him to :
make him trustworthy in greater things"
just then
"To-link, to-lank, to-linkle linkle,
O'er blanks with butercups, at-twinkle,
The cows came slowly home.''- 4
Jimmy. gray sl,irtcd and barefOotcd. Il
guided them into the yard. He saw the
asst COW in. put up the bars. saw that the d
gate was all secure and was about to trip Il
away. when Mr.. Morgan called him into II
he house. where lie told him something s.
hat made him dumb with glad surprise. il
md sent him home the happiest Lad in the
own.