Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-10-15

you any idea OF inc d"'y W na''"H
instead Of squanderiog your money!
Johnny's blank expression slgnifled
that his mind had never been bnrdened
by such considerations, On asking
him how much money, II any, hc had
In his pocket, he turned out five cents
"Now JOHNNY asked him, care
you willing to spend that money tor q
bank-book I"
The boy was somewhat fond OF reading
but that kind OF literature was mani.
testify Of a strange description to him
yet hc having some confidence 10 my
wisdom in somo things, expressed his
Willingness to make the sacrifice
then bade him follow me, aud We pro-
ceeded TO the Five Cent Saving Bank
on School street, where Johnny
bought and paid his five cents for q
handbook, and had him credited
thereon for halt q dollar. I believe
there was not prouder little fellow in
Boston that day than Johnny. In thu
tho afternoon watched him shyly
drawing the book from his pocket, and
luxuriating over that small entry, will
all the satisfaction n millionaire could
have on inspecting his treasure.
Before Saturday afternoon there
fore, I was made custodian Of twenty
seven cents of Johnnie's savings-fo'
safety sake, and in order that the
orange, apple and peanut markets
should not result in their useless invest
ment therein.
On Saturday afternoon came pay
time and on representing to those in
tho Office with me that Johnnys Bank
book was in existance-that its man
uscript contents was very inconslder
able, and, that the owner could not
receive interest until his deposits had
reached five characterization
were chez riully made, and seventeen
quarter dollars were added to the
hoard. That day Johnny own
ed five dollars and quarter in bank
and was more pulled up than any
"bloated bondholder' possibly could
be.
The spirit of saving settled strong
in Johnny, and along with it came in
creased habits Of industry and hi
hoard had reached seventeen dollars
in less than nine months. On The
third day Of July I met on the Com
mon, a friend from Lowell, a lawyer o
great eminence there Mt the time. bu
who has since deceased, after leaving
a bequest for educational purposes o
unusually large amount As we sa
couversing on one ofths forms, John
ny came along. ... ...
"How stands the handbook to-day!
l inquired.
The precious tome was presented
with its seventeen-dollar record large
ly distributed over its pages. l Sc
myself with some appearance of delib
Grafton, I suspect, to examine the en-
tries, when Johnnie said:
"Excuse me sir, please, l have al
erraud to run to Providence depot
bat will be back in three minutes"
Thus saying he bounded Oft like I
deer, leaving his bank book in my
hands. While he was away had an
opportunity Of informing my friend o
the history OF Johnnis's savings, and
he seemed much interested in tn
account but particularly in the fac
that the boy had declined 10 linger Of
his errand: aud on these simple bases
Johnny's future prosperity largely rest
ted. When he came back my friend
in,errogated him minutely as to his
family, aud was delighted 10 listen t.
the warmth of affection he expressed
toward his father, mother and sisters,
of their kindness, and the harmony
and comfort which regned at home
Among other things elected was th'
great respect the parents of the DO!
had for the integrity oftte bank book
even the pecuniary shortcoming or
rent day had not induced them to
reduce its representative value ont
penny.
This encounter happened, a. ha'
been stated, on the third day of July
and next day Of course would be the
great nstional holiday, when every
body rich and poor, would be more OF
less "out expense" Mr.. W anti
cipating that Johnny's necessity woul'
be Of the prevailing stamp, said t.
him
"Johnny how much have you t'
spend in celebrating Tomorrow r
4