Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-12
The BROKEN TEAPOT.

rev OF our 1r1enuS, MIS-. Nat6rS, no.
tice that teapot, and those who do won
der, no doubt, why piece of such COM
mon ware should have a place in our
cabinet. Indeed my wife wanted to set
It away On some obscure shelf until she
heard its history, or, rather, the associa-
lions connected with it. But the fact
Is, had I never drank tea from that tea
pot with its blue pagodas and palm
trees. this little wife OF mine would
have been making somebody else hap
DIV, and, in all probability, L should
never have owned a home like this, or
have been blessed with such circle of
friends.
Well, this is the story, continued Mr..
Graham. Ny father kept small store
IN Coventry, r. l., when I was boy,
Gnd, as there was large family to sup
port, and the income was small, we were
ell put to work when about Is years Of
age. We had very little education, eK-
cept what we received in the district
school, for we were too poor TO buy
many books, and, as my mother and
sisters worked as hard at home as we
boys and father did in the store, there
Was little talked about or thought OF but
work. and that all the time.
I was always fond OF reading, and en-
joyed history very much, and our doctor,
who had the best library in town, used
to lend me books, which I read when all
the family were asleep. When my broth
or John was old enough to go into the
store [ determined to start off and earn
my own living somewhere.
I talked it over with father and mother
until had their consent, and one day
IN the early autumn [ set out toward
Providence with the few clothes [ pos
5essed In an old carpet-bag, and S. in
my wallet, as my capital, to make place
and a living for myself.
Mother knit for me several pairs Of
wooden socks, and when she gave them
20 me she said, 81 have thought much of
you as knit these, my boy, and have
wondered what your future life will be.
While it Is true that all of us to great
extent are the creatures of circum-
stance, yet, nevertheless, we can often
control circumstances, and make our
selves what we wish to be. IL you are
faithful, true, and honest in your life and
u your work, whatever it may he, the
Lord will prosper you, and open the way
before you TO success and usefulness.
Many man whose name is now famous
has started out from home as humble
rs yours, and with no money and few ad-
vantages, but by perseverance and hon
est endeavor, with the Bible for his guide
and trusting in the Lord for strength to
overcome obstacles and temptations, has
won his way to high position in socie
BY"
With such words of encouragement
left my mother and my home.
The stage-driver gave me seat with
hlntfor about twelve miles, and then I
started on afoot, hoping to catch ride
oow and then with some farmer. as he
Grove along with his produce to the city.
Just at dusk, on the second day, I came
20 pleasant farmhouse, and, as the
shades were up, could see the family
moving about in q comfortable-lOokin
slttlng-roOm, where a bright wood-fre
on the andirons. and the sweet face Of
an elderly lady. who sat In an easy
chair before it, drew me to the house.
They received me cordially, gave me
q supper and, after asking me some
questions as to where [ had come from,
what l expected to do in Providence, and
SO on, they invited me to spend the night
there.
When Mrs. King found I had no plan,
and did not know what I should do, she
told me they needed an extra hand for
several weeks, and, if I would like to
stay end pick and barrel apples, they
would be glad to have me, and would
payne S. a month and my board. I was
not long In accepting the offer, and be-
fore two days had passed I began to re-
cover from my homesickress and feel
quite happy. The thought of paying
for my own board and having q little
money beside q say little, although it
seemed great sum then} was delight
full to me, and working for kind fam
lily was in itself pleasure. They gave
me comfortable little room, and sat
with the family In the long evenings in
their pleasant sitting room, reading from
their library of good books. One of the
daughters was an invalid and great
reader herself, and, when she saw that !
was anxious to learn, she taught me
algebra and read and explained English
history to me.
There were two men who worked by
the day for few weeks barreling APP
sles, and, when [ learned how many
were considered good days work, I
asked Mrs. King if she would be willing
to have me stop work at 5 o'clock, if /
would take a shorter incoming, and fill as
many barrels as the men, so that could
have an extra hour for reading. She
willingly gave her consent, and I had
my number of barrels filed, and was
often washed and my clothes changed,
sitting with my book in hand, as the
clock struck 5.
About that time a teacher from a
boarding-school in a neighboring town,
who was en- intimate friend of Miss
70 III i,