The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-07-24

AHcic 10 a 'ouculuS story OF the Ia
nous Dr. Samuel Johnson, which has
had an Influence on many boy who
has heard it. Samueps father, Mi
chael Johnson. was a poor bookseller
in Litchfield. England. On market
days he used to carry a package of
books TO the village of Uttoxeter. and
sell them from stall in the market
place. One day the bookseller was
sick, and asked his son to go and sell
the books in his place. Samuel, from
silly pride, refused to obey.
Fifty years afterward johnson be-
came the celebrated author, the CON-
piler Of the English Dictionary, and
one of the most distinguished schol-
ars in England, but he never forgot
his act OF unkindness toward his poor
hard .toiling father; so when he visit
ed Uttoxeter. he determined to show
his sorrow and repentance.
He went into the market place al
the time OF business, uncovered his
head, and stood there for an hour In
a pouring rain, on the very spot
where the book used to stand
This, he says, was an act OF con
triton for my disObedience to my
kind father
The spectacle OF the great DR.. John
son standing bareheaded in the storm
to atone for the wrong done by him
fifty years before, is grand and
touching one. There is a representa-
tion OF it Gin marble) on the Doctors
monument.
Many man in after life has felt
something harder and beaver than a
storm of rain beating upon his heart
when he remembered his acts Of un-
kindness to good father or mother
now in their graves.
DIR. John Todd. OF Pittsfield, the
eminent writer, never could forget
how, when his old father was very
sick. and sent him away for medicine,
he Ga little lad) had been unwi ling TO
go, and made up a lie that "the
druggist had not got any such med
icine."
The old man was just dying when
little Johnny came in, and said 10
him, My boy, your father suffers
great pain for want Of that medi-
cine"
Johnny started in great distress for
the medicine, but il was too late. The
father. on his return, was almost
gone. He could only say to the weep.
ing boy:
Love God, and always speak the
truth, for the eye Of God is always
upon you. Now kiss me once mole
and farewell"
Through all his after life DIR. Todd
often had heaitache over that act
OF falsehoCd aud disobedience TO his
dying father. 1t takes more than q
shower OF rain 10 WISH away the
memory Of such sins. DR.. Todd le-
pented OF that sin thousand times
The words, Honor Thy father and
thy motheI," mean four things al.
ways do what they bid you, always
tell them the truth. always treat them
lovingly, and take care OF them when
they are sick or grown old. 1 never
yet knew "a boy who trampled on the
wishes OF his parents who tnrned oul
well. God never b.esses wilfully
disobedient son.
When Geo. Washington was sixteen
years old he determined to leave
home and be a midsbipman in tl,t
Colonial navy. After be had sent II
his trunk he went in to bid his moth
er goodbye. She wept SO bitterly
because he was going away that be
said TO his negro servant, Bring my
trunk back; am not going To make
my mother suffer SO by my leaving
her."
He remained at home to please his
mother. This decision led to his be.
coming survey or, and afterward a
soldier. His whole glorious career in
life turned on this one simple act ol
trying TO make his mother happy
And happy, too, will lie the child who
never has occasion TO shed bittel
tears for any act OF unkindness to his
parents. Let US not forget that Goo
has said, Honor thy father and thy
mother. Theodore l.. Cuyler, IN
Youths Companion.