Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-12-31
A SIMPLE ACT
Which Changed the Current OF
Two Persons Lives.

lWO ISIbOllS hANSE'
NV co1ntry-scat is upon the bank OF
one of our most beautiful and romantic
rivers. While strolling through my
delightful grounds, and admiring
hundred pleasant objects, | often think;
"Who would suppose the foundation
of all this was laid in the simple act OF
posting a letter"
But did it never occur to you, gem
tie reader, that If at the beginning
stone had been dropped into the foun-
datiOn or source OF a mighty river, the
stream might have been so changed
rs to have flown through other valleys,
and seen the pride and cory OF anoth-
or region? So 1t is with the fortunes
OF man. a trillc sometimes changes
every thing, and shapes n career for
good or evil. Much of the happiness
or misery of lie we owe to some little
event of no greater moment than the
dropping OF stone into the fountain.
Nv own is Il case in point
Nv father died poor, and left my
mother, with three small children, TO
struggle along in troublesome world.
j was the eldest, and | was nine. My
mother labored hard, and not unfre-
quently stintcd herself 20 give me n
passable education; and rs soon rs |
was old enough 10 comprehend how
much she sacrificed for me | resolved
TO assist her in whatever way | could.
At thirteen got a situation as Office
boy, which paid me u small stipend.
and improved all my leisure time in
study. | was naturally II good pen
man, and by adding knowledge oi
book. keeping and sharply watching
for all the chances, | obtained during
the course of a couple of years the
place of assistant book-kccper in q
large mercantile house.
My son, said my delighted
mother. when | had hurried home and
told her the news, you seem now Il
have reached the high road of pros
pcrity, and hope and pray you may
never leave it, BE diligcnt, be truth
ful, bo honest, and remember thai
whatever Is worth doing mt all is wortl
doing WELL always study to please
not only your employers, but all will
whom YOU may come in contact; ant
when YOU can do any one n favor
without trespassing upon your duties
never fail 10 do it, Thus will yol
faithfully serve those who hire yol
and raise yourself up many friends.
thought her counsel good, and
made il my rule of action. For TIVE
years every hing went well; and thel
my employers failed, and wa
thrown out OF employment. But
did not long remain idle. l obtane,
u cerkship in the general post-ollice
Ihad byen in the post-clllce abou
three years, when one day, as / wa
standing at one of the general dc
livery windows, n stout, rustic-lookiD
man red, heated and excited-cam
rushing up, letter in hand, and, catch
ing his breath between the words, on
claimed: win you be kidd enoug
to tell me what time the mail close
that is to 90 out to Australia"
:" 1t is closed already" said
glancing at tho time; "you are to
late by half an hour. "
The man turned deadly pale, an
7 looked as if he were going to faint
'Gracious Heaven!" he calculated
leaning against the wall for support
81 have come miles to post this Lei
0 ter, and am too late at last!'
'ls it of great Importance" l in
Quired, in sympathetic tone.
o "Ycs-yesH' he gasped, glancing 8
me imploringly. and seeming to cate
q ray Of hope. "0h, could you
"Quick. interrupted him. "Giy
me the letter. The mail has not y,
gone; perhaps there may be time
almost snatched it from h
trembling hand and darted away wit
it. l had some trouble in getting int
:. the proper lettcr-bng; but ms a persons
fay or to me it was done, though al
other minute would have been too lat
The man was waiting for me when
returned, and | shall never forget h
eager look.
|, "Your letter is posted" l said. :"
u will 90, if not already gone. d"
"Aeaven bless your he eXclairie,
tears filling his eyes. "Your nsm
sir, if you pleaseP" he added.
"Nevcr mind the name" | returne,
- with light laugh. at was only a II
W fling act and ii it has served you
any way you are welcome to it. )"
"Please give me your name, )" he 7
Joined. 'l would like to know it. "
wrote itdown on a card and handt
2 1t to him.
He read it, took out his pocketboo
and put it away carefully, and then,
n he again shock my hand at partin
q said: II shall not forget you, M
Brentford Not one in thousal
would have put himself to so nut
trouble for stranger, without Al
, hope of reward. This is asellish worl
- sir-a very selfish world-as ha
I found to my cost. Goodbye, sir!
will not take up your time any longt
You have done mo a greater favor tn
YOU dream of, and | never forget
favor 1t may some day be in r
. power to serve you. and then sh
remember you. Once more, good-bS
sir; and may Heaven bless you"
| had been over six years engaged
postal affairs, when one day, TO I
great surprise, | received letter po
marked and dated India, which &C
ro tanned these words:
~ "lf you will send your address ant
card with your name written on 1t
you were accustomed to write it TIN
on or fOur Years AGO Won will hear