Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-10-21
A SIMPLE ACT
Which Changed the Current of
Two Persons Lives.


one of cur most beautiful and romantic
rivers. While strolling through my
delightful grounds, and admiring
hundred pleasant objects, otter think;
"Who would suppose the fou..dation
of all this was laid in the simple &C, Of
posting n lettcr?"
but did II never occur 10 YOU, gen.
Tie reader, that II at the beginning a
stone had been dropped into the fonn-
dation or source of n mighty river, the
stream might have been so changed
ns TO have flown through other valleys,
and seen the pride and glory Of eneths
CT region? So 1t is with tho fortunes
of man. A triilc sometimes changes
overy thing. and shapes career for
good OF evil Much of the happiness
or misery of life we owe to some little
event OF no greater moment than the
Hropping OF stone into the fountain.
MY oNn Is case In point
My tather died poor, and left my
mother, with three small children, TO
struggle along in a troublesome world.
was the eldest, and was nine. NV
mother labored hard, and not unfre-
quentll stinted herself to give me a
passable education; and as soon ms [
was old enough to comprehend how
much she sacrificed for me resolved
70 assist her In whatever way could.
Mt thirteen l got y situation as Office
boy, which paid mo a small stipend.
and improved all my leisure time in
study i was naturally good pen
man, and by adding a knowledge of
oook-keeping and sharply watching
Tor all the chances, l obtained during
the Course Of 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
pcrity, and hope aud pray YOU may
never leave II. Be diligent, be truth
iul, DO 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 trespassiDg upon your duties,
never fail TO do it. Thus will YOU
faithfully serve those who hire you
md raise yourself up many friends"
1 thought her counsel good, and
made II my rule of action. For two
years every thing went we'll; and then
my employers failed, and l was
thrown out OF employment But |
did not long remain idle. | obtained
clcrkship in the general post-ofiice.
had bren in the post-onice about
three years, When one day, as 1 was
standing at one Of the general de-
livery windows, n stout, rustic-lookinp
man-rcd. 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 Australiapn
:. II is closed already" said /.
Elancing at the time; 'you are too
late by half an hour"
Tho man turned deadly pale, and
looked as il be we're going to faint.
'Eracious Heavenm he calculated
leaning against the wall for support,
II have come miles to post this let
ter, and am too late at lastf'
rs II of great Importance" | in
quircd, in a sympathetic tone.
"fes-yes!' he gasped, glancing at
me imploringly. and seeming 20 catch
a ray Of hope. ''Oh, could YOU
''Quick," interrupted him. give
me the letter. The mail has not vet
gone; perhaps there may be time"
l almost snatched il from his
trembling hand and darted away with
It, had some trouble in getting il into
the proper letter-bag; but as personal
favor TO me il was done, though an |
other minute would have been too late.
The man was waiting for me when | |
returned, and l shall never forget his |
eager look.
Your letter is posted" said "It /,
wall 60, If not already gone"
Heaven bless your he exclaimed.
tears filling his eyes. your name, |
Sir. II you pleascP" he added.
Never mind the name." | returned, |
with light laugh. ut was only tri- |
fling act. and ii ii has served you in |
my way you are welcome 20 II. >"
"Please give me your name" he re-
Joined. II would like 10 know il.
wrote itdown on a card and handed
Il 10 him.
lie read II, took out his pocketbook,
and put IL away carefully, and then, AS
he again shock my hand at parting,
said; II shall not forget YOU, Mr..
Brouiford. Not one in Il thousand
would have put himself 10 so much
troub.e for stranger, without any
hope OF reward. This Is a selfish world. !
sir-a very selfish world-as | have
found 10 my cost Goodbye, sir! /
will not take up your time any longer.
You have done me greater favor than
you dream Of, and / never forget "A
l.. T.. / /
power 10 serve you. and then | shall !
you. Once more. good-bve.
sir; and may Heaven bless yonlp
1 had been over six years engaged in
postal affairs, when one day, 10 my
great surprise, received letter posi-
aud dated India, which con-
tanned these words;
''lf you will send your address and a
card with your name written on It as
you were aecnstomcd 10 write il three ,
pr ioar years ago, you will hear OF 3
To your advantage
This was signed by a name l had
never heqrI OF before, with u full ST. /
prescription for the return lrttcr.
Filled with surprise and all kinds Of
and conieCtures concern,
ng wealthy deceased relatives far re- :
moved, Of whom had never had any
lost no time IN comply
pg with the mysterious request IN
'fefy Particular, and the next over
and mall carried my missiyc 70 Cal
.n'ia Nnfp sufficient time had elapsed
~ ftplf iQ reach me ! hecame very
|nuon'' 1od loQke5 for the prriral of /
N|f InI'W MalI Nifh an oa1ernoss
'.< .'t' q An nN|niprfd merchant !
tR|ssb|s cargo. II