The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-06-12
JOHNS LOYALTY.
Story of q Little hoy Who Was Not for
Sale.


story of Little boy Who Was Not for
Sale.
John Bailey was hurrying home from
school when Mr.. Giles hailed him.
Mr.. Giles was the proprietor OF sort
OF store and saloon combined. He
kept stock of groceries, -four and
few other articles, and besides he kept
beer on draught, and this last was, OF
course, the most profitable part OF his
business.
John stopped and turned back at
Mr.. Giles call, and stood waiting.
'.How would you like chance to
earn some money nights and morn
ingsp"
First rate"
81 thought So Well, I need boy
to help me in the store, especially
evenings, and thought I'd give you
the chance. You see there are good
many coming in after working hours
for their beer, and serving them and
weighing up the groceries is most too
much for one to do; SO l thought if we
could agree on a price, I'd like you to
come in and help. You are a likely
sort OF a boy, l guess.
Johns thoughts had gone speedily
forward, and taken in a new coat for
himself, dress for mother, and no
end Of books and papers, to be bought
with money he should earn; but his
hopes sank as rapidly as they had
risen. He had not thought OF the beer.
II don't think that l could come"
he said.
why notp" asked MIR. Giles, in
surprise. Il thought you would jump
at the chance"
$50 did, at first; but come to think
Of it, couldn't. "eat4Rn ,,
| "But whyp' and as Mr.. Giles in
sisted upon an answer, John said: II
can't help you because l don't want to
betray the cause which l am pledged
to fight for"
"Causep Pledged to fight forp
What do you meanp"
II mean the Temperance cause. I
can't sell beer, Mr.. Giles"
"Oh! that is 1t. Well, John. won't
ask you to sell beer; you may confine
yourself to the grocery department
II don't think that would do.
either" replied John. 1T would look
bad, any way, and hurt the cause.
; Guess l can't come at ALL"
But Mr.. Giles persisted. II will
pay you WE'LL" he said; and finally,
as John became more decided in his
refusal to entertain his proposal, he
offered him large wages, and John.
growing desperate, said: "Mr. Giles,
| am not worth much, but am not
, for sale, what there is Of mel" and
with that he said good afternoon, and
! hurried home to tell his mother the
, story of his interview and get her ap-
prevail, for he was sure she would ap-
, prove.
When he told her, she said: "John,
you make me think of General Reed"
, "Who was General Reedp' asked
John, who was not very we'll up in his
history.
He was an officer in the American
army during the revolutionary war 1t
was during the winter Of l777-78, the
! very gloomiest period OF the war. The
soldiers were suffering greatly from
| privations, and many were getting
discouraged. The English people were
proposing measures for the settlement
J Of the difficulties; but the brave Gem
eral who was at the head of the army
had faith in the success of the cause,
: and woull listen to no terms OF peace
which did not include an acknowledge
: ment Of the independence Of the col
onies. Then bribery was tried, and
General Reed was offered large sum
! Of money If he would use his influence
to bring about an adjustment Of mat
ters between the two lcounriea His
J reply was: 4 am not worth purchas-
: ing. but such as I am the King Of
8 England has not money enough to buy
' me-" And Mrs. Bailey smiled en-.
8 couragingly upon her earnestfaced
. boy, whose dark eyes kindled with
r true patriotic fervor. as she added: II
hope, John. you will always be loyal
, to the cause, and that there will never
: be money enough in all the world to
buy you Your name may not go into
, history alongside the patriot OF l777,
7 but truth and loyalty are worth more