Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-08-24

provement. 1t was to him a good
practical school, and be used his ut
most endeavors to deserve and gain
the appreciation of bis employer and
patron. Being surrounded by good
company, he profted by them to the
extent Of Surprising them all in ev-
cry respect. He arose regularly at
4 o'clock in the morning and labor
ed zealously until late at night. Ev.
erything committed to his care was
always promptly and well done. He
was always cheerful, aud if at any
time, anything occurred that would
ordinarily annoy, disturb or displease
most anyone, lie would sing one of
those lively songs he had learnt at
school.
III order to be perfectly convinced
of EImer's strict honesty and faith
fulness he made use of various tests.
AS if inadvertently, he left different
valusble articles, and even money,
lie exposed where Elmer could not
help seeing them. But never was
any touched but always reported to
Mr.. May, who, after several such
tests was perfectly satisfied as to
Elmer's incorruptible character.
Approaching the faithful and val
liable services of the youth, Mr.. May
employed a teacher for him, who
gave him instruction, two hours a
day, in French and German, in Pen
manship and Arithmetic. Elmer
was very grateful to his master for
this signal favor, and made good use
oft.
Elmer attended church regularly
and took great delight in joining the
congregation in the services of the
sanctuary. While other boys were
rowing about on Sundays, and desc
Grating the Sabbath by all kinds of
sports and not unfrequently damag.
ing depredations, Elmer, when
church was over, read his Bible and
other useful books, and then spent
few hours in taking walk. There
were several familiar spots he loved
to 60 to. One of these was through
a narrow, beautiful valley, where his
path was lined on either side by
lofty and outrageous trees, produc.
ing a semi-gloom calculated to lead
the mind to indulge in meditation
and determination. Here he en-
joyed many happy hour.
Elmer's parents paid him an oc-
casional visit, and were always very
highly gratiied with The favorable
report Mr.. May gave them of their
son. Mr.. May was very kind to
these poor but worthy people, and
made them frequently substantial
presents saying: II do this out of
regard for your excellent son, and
in depreciation Of his valuable ser
vices. You have trained him in the
right way. God has blessed all the
pains you have taken to form his
character for usefulness and happi-
ness"
Elmer was allowed short vacation
every summer, which he spent ex-
clusively at the parental home.
These were always happy days for
both parents and son.
Thus the several years of Elmer's
clerkship passed pleasantly and hap
PLY, during which lie thoroughly
qualified himself for the mercantile
business. He felt very much inclined
to spend some time in travelling, not
only to see the world, but by close
observation to learn as much as pos
sible about trade, and to perfect him.
self in the mercantile business.
Mr.. May, however, prevailed on him
to stay another year.
To Elmer's utter establishment,
his patron and benefactor made him
present of two hundred dollars
over and above his regular salary.
This he did as mark of his appre-
citation of Elmer's merit. Elmer
was so overcome with emotions of
surprise and gratitude in his heart,
that for a few moments he was
utterly speechless. At first he de-
cidedly declined the gift, and could
With difficulty be finally induced to
| accept it.
Unaccustomed as he was to handle
so much money at one time; Elmer
thought himself rich, and did not at
first know what to do with it. Many
a one, under such circumstances,
would, doubtless, have spent the
money in having ga good time"
Not so with Elmer. Nevertheless, the
| manner in which he applied the
money was peculiar and by no means
common, especially in our day, and
in this age Of youthful indiscretion,
and forgetfulness of filial obligations.
This grateful and considerate son
and pupil, resolved to give one
hundred dollars to his aged and in
digent parents, and fifty dollars to
his former teacher. whose meagre
salary for a score of years left him
poor in his old age, as is frequently
the case even in our days. as the
writer of this story can testify in his
own experience. Thus be reserved