Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-11-04
A SIMPLE ACT
Which Changed the Current o1
Two Persons Lives.


My country-seat is upon the bank of
one of our most beautiful and romantic
rivers. While strolling through nv
delightful grounds, and admiring a
hundred pleasant objects, ] otter think:
"Who would suppose the foundation
of all this was laid in the simple act of
posting letter."
But did it never occur to you, gen.
tie reader, that if at the beginning
stone had been dropped into the fonn-
dation or source of mighty river, the
stream might have been SO changed
as to have flown through other valleys,
and seen the pride and glory of anoth-
er reglonP So 1t is with the fortunes
of man. A trihe sometimes changes
every thing, and shapes career for
good or evil. Much of the happiness
or misery of life we owe to some little
event of no greater moment than the
dropping of stone into the fountain.
My own is case in point.
My father died poor, and left my
mother, with three small children, to
struggle along in a troublesome world.
Twas the eldest, and l was nine. MY
mother labored hard, and not unfre-
quently stinted herself to give me a
passable education; and as soon as /
was old enough to comprehend how
much she sacrificed for me resolved
to assist her in whatever way / could.
At thirteen | got situation as office
boy, which paid me small stipend,
and improved all my leisure time in
study. was naturally good PEN
man, and by adding knowledge of
bookkeeping and sharply watching
for all the chances, | obtained during
the course of a couple of years the
place of assistant book-keeper in a
large mercantile house.
"My son" said my delighted
mother, when had hurried home and
told her the news, you seem now to
have reached the high road of pros
perity, and l hope and pray you may
never leave it. Be diligent, be truth
full, be honest, and remember that
whatever is worth doing at all is worth
doing well; always study to please,
not only your employers, but all with
whom you may come in contact; and
when you can do any one a favor,
without trespassing upon your duties,
never fail to do it. Thus will you
faithfully serve those who hire you
and raise yourself up many friends.
thought her counsel good, and 1
made it my rule of action. For two
years every thing went well; and then
my employers failed, and l was
thrown out of employment. But 1
did not long remain idle. l obtained
q clerkship in the general post-office.
had been in the post-office about
three years, when one day, as was
standing at one of the general de-
livery windows, stout, rustic-looking
MANFRED, heated and excited-came
rushing up, letter in hand, and, catch
ing his breath between the words, ex-
claimed: Will you be kind enough
to tell me what time the mail closes
that is to go out to Australian"
1t is closed already" said I,
glancing at the time; "you are too
latc Dy nalI an nour.
The man turned deadly pale, and
looked as if he were going to faint.
Gracious Heavenm he calculated,
leaning against the wall for support.
II have come miles to post this let
ter, and l am too late at lastp'
us it of great importance" l in
quired, in a sympathetic tone.
"Yes-yesH' he gasped, glancing at
me imploringly, and seeming to catch
ray of hope. "Oh, could you
Quick, +" interrupted him. Give
me the letter. The mail has not yet
gone; perhaps there may be time"
| almost snatched it from his
trembling hand and darted away with
it. had some trouble in getting it into
the proper letter-bag; but as personal
favor to me it was done, though an.
other minute would have been too late.
The man was waiting for me when
returned, and shall never forget his
eager look.
"Your letter is posted" / said. al
will 60, If not already gone"
Heaven bless you!" he exclaimed
teaTS uilluS HIS eyes. our uaIue,
sir. if you please7" he added.
Never mind the name," i returned
with light laugh. at was only a tri
fling act. and il it has served you il
any way you are welcome to it."
''Please give me your name," he re
ioined. II would like to know it"
wrote itdown on card and handed
it to him.
He read it, took out his poeketbook
and put it away carefully, and then, a
he again shook my hand at parting
said: II shall not forget you, Mr
Brentford. Not one in Thousand
would have put himself to so muct
trouble for stranger, without an.
hope of reward. This is aselhsh world
SRA very selfish world-as hav,
found to my cost Goodbye, sir!
will not take up your time any longer
You have done me greater favor thai
you dream of, and / never forget
favor. Ii may some day be in m,
IL n Il ~