The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-11-24
WHOLE NO. 1915.
Honor Thy Parents.

There j. a touching story Of the famous
Dr. Samuel johnson. which has bad in
auence on MANY a boy who has heard Il
SamueFs hsher. Nichael johnson. was d
poor bookseller in Litchded England.
0n market day, he used 20 carry pack
aye Of books TO the village Of Uttoxeter
and sell them from a stall in the market
place one day the bookseller was sick
and asked his son TO 20 and sell the books
in iis place >amael, from a silly pride,
refused 70 obey
Fifty years after johnson became the
celebrated author. the compiler If the
English Dictionary ami one % the
most distinguished scholars in England
but be never forgot his at Of unkintness
20 his poor hs4ri-toiled father. 50 when
lac visited Itroxeter he determined o.
show his sorr0w and repentance.
He went into the n,arket-plaee Al the
time Of business, uncovered his head and
stood there for an hour ID a pouring rain,
on the very spot where the book-Stlll
used to stand This he says. w.ls an
act Of cont1ition for my disobedience To
ny kind father7
The spectacle Of the great Or. Johnson
standing bareheaded in the storm. a.
atone for the wrong done by him fifty
years before Is a great and touching one.
There Is representation Oft IN marble
on the Doct9r's monument
Many man IN after life has felt some
thing harder and heavier than Is storm Of
rain, beating upon his heart, vixen he re-
members his ac; Of unkindHess to a good
flther OF mother now in their graves
Or. John Todd. Of Pittsfeld. the emf
uent writer, neyereould forget how.vhen
bis old father vas very sick.and sent him
away for medicine, he "a little la,l had
been unvilline TO 20, and made up "a lie
that the druggist had not got any such
medicine.1
Johnny started in great distress for the
medicine, but it was too late The father
on his return, was almost gone. He could
only say to the weeping boy Love me
and always speak the truth, for the eye
of tod l. always upon YOU Vow kiss
Hae once more. and farewell
Thro gh all his after life Or, Todd often
had a he4rtache over that act Of false
hood and disobeiience to his diving faith
er Il takes more than a shower 70 wash
away the memory Of such sins Dr Told
repented Of that ,in tnoI-and times.
The words Honor thy father and thy
mother, mean four things-alway, do
what they bid you; always tell them the
truth always t.eat them lovingly, and
take care of them when they are sick or
grown Old. never vet knew a boy who
trampled on the wish Of his parents and
turned out weI. tod never blesses a
wilfully di-obesiient son
When Washington was sixteen years
old he determined 10 leave home aud be
a midshipinan in the Colonial navy AZ
us 85 III M bqdo qidosaf q q,P3is BIZ Eunk he WeBt e
bitterly because he was going away that
he said 20 his negro servant Bring
back my trunk 1 am not going TO make
my mother suffer - by leaving her
He remained ar home 70 please his
mother This decision led him 10 be-
come q surveyor. ard afterwarda soldier.
His whole glorious career in life turned
ou this one simple act Of trying 10 make
his mother happy. And happy too viii
be the child who has occasion % shed
bitter tears for any art of unkindness 70
his parents. Let Us not forget that God
has said Honor thy father and thy
mother. 7. /. CrYLER.