The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-16
the BROKEN TEAPOT.

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 it's history, or, rather, the associa-
tons connected with it. But the fact
is, had T 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
by, and, in all probability, should
never have owned home like this, or
have been blessed with such circle of
friends. "'
Well, this is the story, continued Mr..
Graham. MY father kept q small store
81 Coventry, r. L., when / was a boy,
end, as there was o large family to sup
port, and the income was small, we were
al put to work when about ID years of
age. We had very little education, ex-
capt 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-
ioyed 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
er John was old enough to go into the
store determined to start off and earn
my own living somewhere.
talked it over with father and mother
until I had their consent, and one day
in the early autumn I set out toward
Providence with the few clothes I pos
sessed in on old carpet-bag, and SIS in
my wallet, as my capital, to make q place
and o living for myself.
Mother knit for me several pairs OF
wooden socks, and when she gave them
to me- she said, II have thought much OF
you as I knit these, my boy, and I 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- If you are
faithful, true, and honest in your life and
in your work, whatever it may be, the
Lord will prosper you, and open the way
before you to success and usefulness.
Many q man whose name is now famous
has started out from home as humble
as yours, and with no money and few adj
vantages, but by perseverance and hon
est endeavor, with the Bible for his guide
and trusting in the Lord for strength tc
overcome obstacles and temptations, has
won his way to high position in socie
ty."
With such words of encouragement
left my mother and my home.
The stage-driver gave me seat will
HIM for about twelve miles, and then
started on afoot, hoping to catch ride
now and then with some farmer, as hi
drove along with his produce to the city
just at dusk, on the second day, I came
to q pleasant farmhouse, and, as thu
shades were up, could see the famil,
moving about in a comfortable looking
sitting room, where bright wood-f fir.
on the andirons. and the sweet face O
an elderly lady, who sat in ON easy
chair before it, drew me to the house
They received me cordially, gave nj
supper, and, after asking me som,
questions as to where had come from
what expected to do in Providence, ant
SO on, they invited me to spend the nigh
there.
When Mrs. King found T had no plan
and did not know what I should do, sh,
told me they needed an extra hand TO
several weeks, and, if I would like t
stay and pick and barrel apples, the,
would be glad to have me, and would
payne IS a month and my board. 7 wa;
not long in accel ting the offer, and be
fore two days had passed I began to re
cover from my homesickness and fee
quite happy. The thought Of payin,
for my own board and having q It'll,
money beside Il say little, although i
seemed great sum then) was delight
full to me, and working for kind fam
lily was in itself pleasure They CAV
me- a comfortable little room, and 1 sa
with the family in the long evenings i,
their pleasant sitting room, reading from
their library Of good books. One Of til,
daughters was an invalid and grea
reader herself, and, when she saw that
was anxious to learn, she taught m
algebra and read and explained Engisl
history to me.
There We're two men who worked b.
the day for few weeks barreling ar
fles, and, when learned how man