The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-13
GIVE HIM A CHANGE.
IExsAAnR.I


 Forty years ago, Sergeant A. en- listed in the United States infantry. He vas . young man of good family, but bis dissipation and diSsoluse hAhie& A moth. er's tears and fathers good counsel were alike unheeded. and step 6y sep he passed from home sffiaence tO . tiGe oa denaneheRy and shame. Feeling his de- gTadation most keenly, at times, in ose of his hoars of remoTse he enlisted in the Unised States army to get rid of his asso- ciates and temptations for ssTong driak.
 The infantry corps to which he be- longed was then stationed sume miles from the city ci Detroit. He enlisted as a private but away from the evil inia- ences of rum he became a faithful and o ooedient soldier, and in the course of two years was promoted to tho rank of ser geant.
 His colonel was . man of heart and feeling, and learning from the lips of his sergeant his early life and his weakness, he counselled him in the path ot duty and right, aud kept his pay for him uatil the balance-sheet showed nearly seven hundred dollars in his favor.
 "Colonel" said the sergeant one day, "what shall 1 do with my money nov in your keeping1 You know my weakness. and you know how earnestly and manfuily have struggled against temptation. If it comes into my possession fear l am lost. learn that our corps has been or. dered away and cannot make some investment here which you deem safe ? And if ever return will have at least the pri cipal lett to me-"
 "l have ende Avored to be your friend, sergeant" replied the colonel. Will you now follow the advice of a friend P
 "With heavens help will, /" he replied, while tears trickled down his bronxed cheek.
 In the market and upon the suburbs of the growing city Of Detroit" said the colonel, "is offered tract of land for six hundred dollars. It must become very valuable in time, and may become SO in few years. Make the purchase. The money hold for you win give you the deed and pay the taxes for some years to come. h a week or so we go to New Mexico, and if you live to return, your in- vestment may have proved most profita- ble"
 Sergeant A obeyed the advice of his colonel and friend. The purchase was made and duly recorded, and a month later he was with his corps on duty in New Mexico.
 Detroit grew rapidly, and especially in the latitude Of the sergeant's purchase New streets were being constantly opened, lots were in demand at almost fabulous prices, and inquiries were made by real estate spectators for the owner of the sefgeants purchase. His name was found on record, and letters came to him property. He consulted his tried friend always, who, with marked shrewdness, told him to retain his property. He had no use for money. Furthermore, if it was worth that to others 1t was worth the same to him.
 The sergeant steadily refused all offers while amazed at their magnitude. By good behavior he rose in the course of years from Sergeant A to Captain A, and had won the great battle over the enemy of his youth. He was both a faithful and temperate soldier.
 Returning to Detroit, he found brick walls surrounding his purchase. Detroit had grown in power and wealth, and had spread its wings of brick and marble with amazing rapidity.
 Captain A. received an offer of two hundred thousand dollars for his six hun dred dollar purchs SC, which was accepted, and he immediately resigned his com mission in the army.
 Chicago was then rising like a young giant and offered an inviting field for capital and speculation. Captain A. invested the proceeds of his lucky pur- chase in lots in the now wonderful city, and the harvest he reaped proved rich in the extreme.
 In one of the most fashionable streets of that city now lives. formerly Sergeant A. of the United States infantry. He is honored and respected for his stern in- tegrity and real in the temperance cause. His friend and admirer now sleeps in an 'honored soldiers grave.