The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-02
The BOY who Could Say "NO."

Ino 10y VINO COuiQ SSy no.
"No!" Clear, sharp and ringing, with
an emphasis that could not fail to ar.
rest attention.
81 don't often hear such negative
as that" remarked one gentleman to
another as they were passing the play
ground of the village school.
at is not often any one hears it.
The boy who uttered it can say yes, too,
quite as emphatically. He is u new
conner here, an orphan, who lives with his
uncle about three miles off. He walks in
every morning, bringing his lunch, and
walks back at night. He works enough,
too, to pay his board, and does more
toward running his uncle's farm than the
old man does himself. He is the coarsest
dressed scholar in school, and the great
est favorite. Every body knows just what
to expect of him."
quite character. 1 should like to
see him. Boys of such sturdy makeup
are getting to be scarce, while the world
never had more need of them than now"
"All that is true, and if you wish to see
Ned, come this way"
They moved on few steps, pausing ct
an open gate near which group of lads
ere discussing an important question.
1T isn't right, and won't have any
thing to do with it. When say mo. I
mean it,"
well, anyway, you needn't speak SO
loud and tell everybody about it, was
responded impatiently to this DECLARE
ton"
"I'm willing everybody should hear
what I've got to say about it. 1 won't
take anything that don't belong to me,
and won't drink cider, anyway"
"Such fuss about little fun! It's
just what we might have expected. You
never go in for fun"
II never go in for doing wrong. l
told you mo-, to begin with. And you're
the ones to blame if there's been and
fuss. ="
Ned Dunlap, / should like to see
you Il minute"
"Yes, sir And the boy removed his
hat as he passed through the gate and
waited to hear what Mr.. Palmer might
say to him.
HAS your uncle any apples to sell ?"
mo, sir. He had some, but he has
sold them. I've got two bushels that
were my share for picking. Should you
like to buy them, sir ?"
"Yes, if we can agree upon the price.
Do you know just how much they are
worth 2"
Eyes, sir"
"All right, then. l will call for them,
and you may call at my house for the
pay"
This short interview afforded the stran-
ger an opportunity to observe Ned Dun
lap closely. The next day call was
made at his uncle's. and although years
elapsed before he knew what a friend he
had gained, that day his fortune was as
sured. After he had grown to manhood
and accepted lucrative position, which
was not of his seeking, he asked why it
had been offered to him.
Because l knew you could say no If
occasion required" answered his en-
ployer. NO" was the first word heard
You speak, and you spoke it with will.
Most people, young and old, are ruined
for want of using that word than from
any other cause. They don'twish to do
wrong, but they hesitate and parley un-
til the tempter has them fast. The boy
or girl who is not afraid to say mo-" is
reasonably certain of making an honora-
BILE man or woman.
YES" Is the sweet and often loving
word. "No" is the strong, brave word,
which has signaled the defeat of many a
scheme for the ruin of some fair young
life Temperance Banner.