Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1904-08-25
MY FIRST ENTERPRISE.

To the Editor OF the Ledger.
Dear Sir: My mind was taken back
to the days OF my youth very wildly
this week, bringing to view an Incl
dent among many that was of vital
Importance to my young heart at that
and little subsequent period. Before
was thirteen years old my mother
compromised with me upon business
project that was bent upon enter
ing, viz: was offered, first choice Of
all the Danvllle boys, the opportunity
to haul wheel-barrow of ice to the
saloon each morning, and receive ten
cents per diem; to which my mother
said nay, but l might saw wood for
neigbbor who offered to give me calf,
valued at twelve dollars, for the faith
full performance Of matriculating said
twenty cords Of wood, (good measure,
too, into stove length, and putting
same over the fence Of the said neigh
Dor. l finished the task, and never be-
fore or since was boy more proud OF
his endeayor. The calf was more loathe
to go with me than thought she
should have been, and l distinctly re-
member that it was with difficulty and
much vexation and perturbed mind
that the feat Of delivery was finally
accomplished Soon after this time
in my career, went to Milwaukee to
learn the "art preservation of all
arts" printing. About six months
after ] had been there, and my heart
was yearning "for tile scenes Of my
childhood" the postman brought me
letter not addressed In my mothers
writing. 1t was from a brother two
years my senior, and read as follows
dear Brother: l seat myself and
take pen In hand to say that we are
we'll, and that you will have to pay for
tie mare that your calf killed. Your
blamed calf hooked Bess In the side
and she died that day. We have de-
cided to allow you s25 on the calf, but
honest that's more than 1t is worth by
ten dollars, SO you will owe us fifty
dollars beside the s25. We don't like
TO do this, but you know that your
calf should not have done this and
business is business, Arnold. Let us
hear from you. Crops are short, and
the boys all send love-
OF course was much disturbed at
the probability Of losing my fortune"
In so ruthless manner. / could not
reason 1t otherwise than my brother
had, that my calf SHOULD not have
done this" but it was done, and |
thought that the entire loss should
not fall on me; that l was mourner to
the loss Of the old family horse, so dear
to me, and should not be make to face
debt of stupendous amount because
my said calf "should not have done
this.n And that 1--WE" and "us" that
was used In the letter was more per-
picking than I am capable Of convey
ing to other minds. Suffice l was re-
lieved beyond degree when my mother
wrote to me and said that she had not
even been apprlsed Of the contents Of
the disturbing letter, and that she
would not only forgive Lilly" for
killing "Bess,n but would see that the
entire wealth wrapped In that bovine's
hide should be for my own especial
benefit and behoof. That was like a
loving mother. But, Mr.. Editor, |
intended to tell you that times and
peoples circumstances change. Pos
slbly you have heard of 1t, or seen
some occular demonstrations thereof,
The family for whom l sawed twenty
cords of wood land don't forget put 1t
over the high fence,l was one possess.
ing much Of this worlds goods, and
stood high In every way honored with
the highest Office in the gift of the
people. His son was about my own
age, and the envy of the other boys,
SO superior was bis walk in life. But
the demon strong drink wrecked that
home. The father went from bad to
worse, and died a pauper. And this
same enyied son of whom l speak, was
In Mexico this week with a family Of
wife and children, one Of them sick,
wholly destitute, and sleeping and
eating were so'er charitable people
were found to minister to their needs.
Little did this father realize that he
was harming future generations by
his desolute conduct. No man lives
unto himself. Therefore we should
"take heed how we stand lest we
fall" A. HUGHES,
Mexico, NO., Aug. 0, '04.