Thomas County cat., 1886-11-04
A SIMPLE ACT
Which Changed the Current of
Two Persons Lives

Ny country-seat is upon the bank of
one of our most beautiful and romantic
rivers. While strolling through my
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 a letter."
But did it never occur to you, gen.
tie reader, that if at the beginning a
stone had been dropped into the foun-
dation er source of q mighty river, the
stream might have been SO changed
rs to have flown through other valleys,
and seen the pride and glory of anoth-
cr regian? So 1t is with the fortunes
of man. \ tritie sometimes changes
every thing, and shapes career for
good or evil Much of the happiness
or misery of lite we owe to some little
event Of no greater moment than the
dropping of a stone into the fountain.
bly own is Z ease in point.
My father died poor, ard 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-
Guently stinted herself 20 give me a
passable educatiOn; and as soon as |
was old enough to comprehend how
much she sacrificed for me l resolved
TO assist her in whatever way could.
At thirteen I.got Il situation as Office
Nt-nI Iah 4
and improved all my leisure time in
study. l was naturally good pen
man. and by adding knowledge of
bookkeeping and sharply watching
for all the chances, l obtained during
the course of couple of years the
place OF assistant book-kceper 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 | hope and pray you may
never leave it. Be diligent, be truth
ful, be honest, and remember that
whatever is worth doing AZ all is worth
doing well; always study to please,
not only your employers, but ali with
whom you may come in contact; and
when You can do any one favor,
without trespassing upon your duties,
never fail to do it. Thus will YOU
faithfully serve those who hire YOU
and raise yourself mp many friends"
l thought her counsel good, and
made 1t my rule of action. For two
years every thing went well; and then
my employers failed, and was
thrown olt of employment. But
did not long remain idle. l obtained
a clerkship in the general post-office.
l had been in the post-oflice about
three years. when one day, as 1 was
standing at one Of the general de-
livery windows, a stout, rustic-lOokinc
man-red. 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 gOGut to Australia?''
1T is closed already" said I.
glancing at the time; .you are too
late by half as hour
The man turned deadly pale. and
looked as if he were going to faint.
Gracious Heaven!'' he calculated,
leaning against the wall for support.
II have come miles to post this let
ter, and am too late ut last!''
rs it of great Importance" l in
luired. in a sympathetic tone.
''Yes-yes"' he gasped. glancing at
me imploringly. and seeming to catch
a ray of hope. .1Oh, could your
''Quick. l interrupted him. Give
me the letter. The mail has not vet
gone; peHiaps there may be time.''
l almost snatcked it from his
trembling hand and darted away with
1t. L had some trouble in getting it into
the proper ietter-bag; but as a personal
favor to me it was done though an
other minute would hare been too late.
The man was waiting for me when 1
returned. and l shall neyer forget his
eager look.
Your letter is posted" said. ..It
will 60. If not already gone"
Heaven bless your he exclaimed.
tears filing his eyes. ..YOur name,
Sir. if yeu please" he added.
'.Never mind the name,n I returned.
with light l:ugh. at was only a tri
fling act. and if it has served YOU in
any way you are welcome to it.
'Please give me voslr name," he re-
Joined Il would like to know it."
wrote itdOwn on a card and handed
it to him.
He read it. took out his pocketbook,
and put it away carefully, and then. as
he again shock my hand at parting.
said: Il shall not forget you. Mr..
Brentford. Not one in thousand
would have put himself to SO much |
trouble for stranger, without any
hope of reward. This is selfish worai,