Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-11
The Four Pistareens.

John Burroughs was born in New Jersey,
and when about thirteen years of age, went
to Philadelphia to learn a trade. He was
bound as an apprentice to his brother, who
was coach-maker. To run on errands was
the principal thing which John had to do in
his new situation, and frequently he was
sent to the drug store for oil. To carry the
oil he had an old jug without handle. 1t
was large enough to contain gallon, which
was the quantity of oil he was usually sent
for, and for this he commonly had to pay
twenty-five cents. One day when he was
sent for the gallon of oil, he took dollar
note with him to pay for it, The oil had
fallen in price, and was selling that day at
twenty cents gallon. When the oil was
put into the Jug, John received as change
four pistareens. "A pistareen is Spanish
coin, not much smaller than quarter Of a
dollar, and it passed for twenty cents. Fifty
years ago when these events took place,
there were great many pistareens in circu-
lation in Philadelphia
Now John supposed the druggist had,
through mistake, given him four quarters of
dollar instead of three. And his first i'm
pulse was to return one Of the pieces to the
man. But the thought occurred to him that
he would give three of them to his brother
and keep the fourth for himself. So he
closed his hand upon the money, picked up
the Jug and left the store. As he went along
his conscience began to upbraid him, but
selfishness made him wish to keep the coin
for his own. The latter appealed the hard
est. He hurried off homewards.
The Jug having no handle, John was
forced to carry it by string tied around its
neck. This so cut his fingers that after
changing it from one hand to the other sew
eral times, he was compelled to stop at the
distance of square and rest. Setting down
the oil, and seating himself upon step he
took out his supposed quarters of dollar to
convince himself that there was one too
many. But though he congratulated him
self on the circumstances, Johns heart was
not at ease. He knew he ought to have re-
turned one of the pieces to the druggist !;
that in keeping it he was acting dishonesty
and that he ought to turn back and correct
the mistake. But covetousness was as busy
as conscience, and soon found number of
,asons why he might keep the money. The
druggist ought not to have made the mis-
take, and would Justly lose by his careless
ness and again, quarter OF dollar was
but trife with him, and would not be
missed. Besides, it was too late now to re-
turn. If he did he probably would be CEN
sured for not returning it at first, and then
his brother was in hurry for the oil, so he
proceeded on his way.
When he had reached the second corner,
his conscience as well as his Jug began to
give him trouble. He sat down to rest and
to settle the dispute between his principles
and his desires, and, after reasoning awhile,
again went on his way, determined to keep
the money, but by no means satisfied that
he was doing right.
The next corner brought John third
time to a stand. Rest soon relieved the
smarting OF his hands, but not the cuttings
of his conscience. He wished he had obeyed
the first impulse. But he was ashamed To
go back. He took up his Jug, undecided
whether to go or return. He stood mo
mont, and then honest principle conquered,
and he determined to go back.
1t was a hard task to trudge back three
long squares with heavy jug without a
handle, and more than once he had almost
given up his honest resolution. But he per-
severed, reached the store, and set down his
load.
"You have given me too much change,
said he, presenting the four pistareens to the
druggist. "You have given me four quar-
ter dollars instead of three"
"You think there is quarter too much,
do you? Well, you may have that one fol
your honesty"
John thanked him, and putting his pis-
tareens in his pocket, without suspecting the
Joke, he resumed his burden with far differ.
ent feelings from those that filled his bosom
haitian hour before. And as he was about
leaving the store,-
"Stop, my boy" said the druggist, q
will not deceive you. You have your right
change. The oil is twenty cents, and those
pieces are pistareens and not quarters, and
they are worth twenty cents each. Here il
quarter, or twenty-five cents" continued
his drawer, (which / will give you. You
can notice the difference between them as
you go home, and let me advise you always
to deal as honestly as you have to-day"
Who can imagine the feelings of the boy
when he saw the real state of the matter
and knew that, had he persevered in his
sinful project, he must, from the very nature
of the circumstance, have been discovered
Had he carried out his first intention, and
handed his brother three of the pistareens,
he would, of course, have asked for the bal.
ance, and John would have been driven to
add falsehood to his crime in order to cover
up his wrong-doing. In all probability he
would have been detected and sent back to
his father in disgrace. 1t would have
stamped his character with dishonesty
from which he might never have recovered
John Burroughs picked up his jug, and
with light heart set out on run, and did
not feel the old string cut his fingers till he
reached the third corner, where he had re
solved to return to the store. He never for
got the lesson this event taught him; ant
through his life, he ever acted under thu
firm conviction that "honesty is the bes
policy."-School Journal.
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