The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-02-25
oATHBa UP 1'HB TAOS be III

! A short time ago al did lady told d tl1
| following true STORY about her, brother. We
Thought il might servs As lesson for ths
boys, SO we have written It for them, hoping
that those who read II, may, like john be
careful to gather up the tags a
John Williams lived in Yoskshiref England
His father was blacksmith, aud when only
ten years old John was taken into the sbor: !
with several other apprentices, to learn the
trade. s ss Is ssaaH ~
Beside working at his trade his fatlier also
kept a public house, but while John was
faithful little worker in the shop, he would
not have anything TO do with the bar. room
but 1t often happened that when It was filed
with men and boys, drinking and smoking, he
would have to pass through theft the bo. q
would call !: w Fl slfts aieesflk
Stop John ! I have d glass of beer,' ara
the men would say !. Come, John. and, mako
merry with us; but john would shake his
head and hurry out and could not be ooaxeti
to join in their drinking frJfics. 11sseisias
TWAS the custom N tie York shop, that
when an apprentice shod horse he was en-
titled to the little bits that were struck off the
nails with which they fastened the shoes
these they would gather up and sen for six=
pence per pound. Now. most Of the boys
Thought it too much trouble; ahd would not
take the time to gather up these little tags.
/ But while the others were drinking theft
mug OF beer or playing games, john was btisy
carefully picking up these despfsed bits, which
he readily sold. sEsssf Ia etF3Y 4efef
s.If 80
Besides being an industrious, careful boy, .
he was also very ready TO lend helping hand
to others. Near by his fathcrisa house W;
the home OF an old man, who made 4 ifveIis
hood BY hauling coal to the next town, 20
market to sell, In the evening, when became
home tired John would go out and help him
put away ifs horse, for Which Kindness tbs
old man would sometimes give him penny,
or perhaps two pencs. s
One evening John went out, as usual, when;
to bis surprise, he saw the old man coming
home on foot.
What has happeneds Unse Matthew'S
asked Johns as
The old man, greatly troubled, replied
While | was standing in the market the
cons table came and took my horse aud Cart
fr debt of ten potinds, which cai,net pay
at present, but If they would only have waits
ed, could have paid it in a short time. Now
they have taken away the only means had
Of earning anything
John know that Mattifew was Industrious
and honest, and the tears came into the eyes
of his aged fiiend he ptied him SO much that
he exclaimed
| { Mttth ~ n ali
help you
That can do, my boy s
Then will lend you the ten pounds | iays
put away. They are in one and two pence,--s
have hid them in an old stump at the foot
of my fathers garden On lad "a
/ To this odd petiny bank the two wetii, and
John drew out the proceeds gained by gather
ing up and selling the tags, and then count
ed out The potnds to his astonished but over-
joyed friend, who expressed the liveliest graf
itude
The next day old Matthew went and paid
his debt and recovered his horse and cart,
i AS he promised, it was not long before he
earned the ten pounds, and when he returned
the money to his little helper he made him
take half crown for the loan of it. E
John continded to value the little bits, not
only of nails, but of money and time, and to
do little acts of kindness. He also continued
firmly to say ''No, when urged to drink.
When he was twenty. one years old lie had
enough money saved to 60 into business for
himself, Without the help Of his father, aud IN
a few years he was able to build a fine house,
and pay for it, out Of his own honest earning.
Then lie married an amiable and accomp-
lished lady, who, by her intelligence and
goodness, helped him to be still more prosp.
erous in life, and made his home very happy
and comfortable. BIZ h .asf 5fs a.ss
4 Learn, boys, while you are young, to set .
proper value Upon things which may seem
very little, but out of which may grow very
great results. Keep in mind, too, that by
taking care of the " tags you may not only
enrich yourselves, but ntay also be able to
help others. ..t sae <ss,, gss
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