Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-09-15
Sg1oMth' & Column.
A TIMELY BOX ON THE EAR.

a merchant named Muller, who. in his
walks about the city, often encountered |
brightfaced, well-dressed young man, who
always took off his hat and bowed to
him in the most deferential manner.
The young fellow was an entire stran-
ger to the merchant, but the later always
returned his greeting with friendly nod,
supposing himself to be mistaken by the
young man for some one whom he proba-
bly, resembled.
One day Mr.. Muller was invited to
the country seat of a friend, and, arriving
there at the appointed time, he noticed
this young man walking up and down the
shady paths of the garden. engaged in
earnest conversation with the host.
"Now 1 shall know who this young
gentleman is, thought Mr.. Muller, and
hastily approached them.
,sAllow me- said the host, after ex-
changing greeting with his friend, 'to
Introduce
at is not necessary, 1 assure you,"
interrupted the young man eagerly, 1--WE
have known each other for many years
"You must be mistaken" said Mr..
Muller. "for though, in answer to your
greetings I have repeatedly bowed to
you, still you are entirely unknown to
mel"
'.And yet insist. :" replied the young
man, .'that / have been acquainted with
you for long time, and am delighted to
have the opportunity of meeting you here
and to present my most heartfelt thanks
for service you once did me!
"You speak in riddle" said Mr.. Null
Ter; show can you be under obligations
to me when | do not even know you %
at does seem a little mysterious"
laughingly answered the young man,
"but let us sit down here on the piazza,
while | throw little light on the state
ment.
Seventeen years ago, when | was a
lad of nine, l started for school one morn
ing with my books under one arm and
my lunch of bread and butter under the
other. / was poor boy with a big ap-
petite. My luncheon seemed never
enough for my hungry stomach, and | used
often to envy boys whose mothers could
afford to give them choice fruit with
their dinner.
''This morning l had been especially
dissatisfied. If only had an apple
with my bread thought, how nice il
would be 7
"My way to school was through the
market place, and as l arrived there il
seemed to me the fruit had never looked
half so beautiful or desirable. / stooC
there several moments gazing at thu
abundant supply, instead of Fastening
away from the temptations as l SHOULD
have done.
Suddenly an old market woman, VIII
superintendent large rosy-streaked apples
turned her back on her wares to gossi
with neighbor.
"'Such lots and lots 1 thought t
myself. surely one from so many woul
never be missed, it would do me s
much good
"Quick as flash / stretched my han
out, and was just about to thrust an az
pie into my pocket, when sharp DO
on the ear caused me to drop the fru
in an agony of terror.
".Youngster, said an earnest vote
close to my burning ear, have you fol
cotton the Ten Commandments Nov
| hope this is the first time that 20
have ever stretched out your hand aft
goods that are not your own let this
the last time also.
81 hung down my head for sham
and only for an instant lifted my ey
! from the ground to see who my reprov
was.
"When | reached school the words
heard were still sounding in my ca
E My heart was so full could scarce
keep from crying. Let it be the Ia
: time also,' let this be the last tir
also, again and again confronted n
Bowling my head on the desk, | then i
solved that indeed it should be the la
time, even as it had been the first; th
never as long as lived would I Gov
), what belonged to another, or strive
e gain unlawful possession of it.
"After few years l left school a.
became clerk in my uncle's countin
q room. From there a year or two later
. went to South America. You will rea
;. lily believe me when | tell you that the
q the temptations to young merchant a
!, not few. | repeatedly had opportunit
,, which acquaintance of mine did I
. hesitate to improve, to benefit myself
y the expense of others. but every til
" these presented themselves that ringi
# blow on the ear, and those words. j
it be the last time also, reminded
of my duty, and helped me to distingui
D between right and wrong.
le Il have been in my native count
T. about five months. / have come ba
nv .