Louisiana capitolian., 1880-08-12
OUT IN THE RAIN.

There is q touching story of tho famous
DR.. Samuel Johnson, which has had an
influence on many u boy who has heard
it. Samuol's Fatl,or, Michael Johnson,
was u poor bookscftor in LichfUId, Eng
land. On markot-day lie used to carry %
package Of books to the village Of
Uttoxeter, and sell them from q stall in
tho market place. Onc'day the book
seller was sick, and asked his son to 20
and soil the books in his place. Samuel
from silly prido refused to obey.
Fifty years afterwards Johnson became
the celebrated author, tho compiler of
the English Dictionary" and ono of tho
most distinguished scholars in England,
but he never forgot his act of unkindncss
tolis poor, hard toiling father; so, when
he visited Uttoxctcr, he determined to
show his sorrow and repentance.
tie went into the market place ut tho
time of business, uncovered his head and
stood tllcro for an hour in 4 apouring rain,
on the very spot where the book stall
used to stand. "rhis," ho says, was an
act Of contrition for my disobcdiencc to
my kind tathcr.'
The spectacle Of the great Dr. John-
son standing bare headed in tho storm
to atone for tho wrong done by him fifty
years before, is n grand and touching
one. There is representation of it (in
marblc) on tho Doctors monument.
Many u man in after iito has feit SOME
thing harder aud heavier than u storm Of
rain beating on his heart, when lo
remembered his acts of mnkindness TO
good father or mother now in their
graves.
DR.. Johnson Todd, of Pittsticld, the
cnincnt writer, never could forget how,
wllcn his old fathcr was sick and sent
him away for medicine, he Ga little la,l
had been unwilling to go, had made up
u lie "tllat tho druggist had not got any
such medicine" o
The old man just dying when little
johnny camc in; and said to him, "My
boy, your father suffers great pain for
want of that medicine"
johnny started in great distress for THO
medicine, but il was too latc. The
father, on his return, was almost gone.
Hc could only say to the weeping boy,
Glove God, and always speak the truth,
for the eye of God is always upon you.
Now kiss me once more, and farewoll.p
Through all his after life Dr.. Todd Of.
ten had q heartachc over that act Of
falschood and disobedicnce to his father.
1t takes more thai, q shower of rain to
wash away the memory Of such sins. DR..
Todd ropentod Of THAT Sill q thousand
times.
The word " Honor thy father and thy
mother" means four things-always } q
what they bid yon, akays toll them thc
truth, always treat them lovingly, D, nd
take care of them when they are sic) ( or
grown old. never yet knew boy,
who tramplcd Oh the wishes of his pa-
rents, who turned out we'll. God ncyc,
bIcsscs willfnlly d,sobcdicnt soil.
When Washington was sixtccu years
old, he determined to leave homo and be
amidsllipman i'll the Colonial navy. After
he had sent off his trunk, he went to bid
his mother goodbye. She wcpt SO BIT
tcrly becanse he was going away that
he said to his negro servant, "Bring
back my trunk I am not going to make
mother suffer so by leaving her" 90
He remained at home to please his
mother. This decision let to his bccom.
ing surveyor and afterwards u soldier.
His whole glorious career in life turned
on this one simple act of trying to make
his mother happy. Aud happy, too, will
be the child who never has occasion to
shed bitter tears for any act of unkind-
ness to his parents. Let us not forget
God that has said "Honor thy father aud
thy mother."-l Youths Companion.
Please try Conrads Budweiser, against
all bottled beer in the United States.