The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-04-04
Stories by Normal Students.
TIMELY ADVICE.
BY MARTHA v. JAMES.

Captain Allen had been a CON-
mander Of one of the government
forts for many years until one day
while supervising the removal of
some iron, he was suddenly killed
by large piece that had become
accidentally dislodged. After his
death, Mrs. Allen and her son, John
took up their abode in ceighbor-
ing city, where they were support
ed by the small income left by the
father at his death.
They lived thus for many years
until the supply of money tecame
SO small that John was forced TO
end his school days and 60 to work.
During his school life he bad been
friendly with some young men
whose fathers we're influential citi
zens in the town, and so it was not
difficult for him to obtain position
in large store. where he came in
contact with people of many coun-
tries.
His ono great delight was to
draw and his talent was naturally
in the direction of the plans Of the
forts, for there he had spent his
childhood. When customers were
few, John would always get out his
material and begin work. One day
when he had nothing to do, as was
customary he sat down at the desk
and began to plan the fort where
his father had been employed. He
became so absorbed in the work
that he did not notice the entrance
of Spanish gentleman until he
had approached the desk and glanc
ed at the plan. He was greatly
surprised to find it the plan of the
very fort he had been trying to en-
ter for years Young man, he
said, is that the exact plan of the
fort and il so, how came you to
know it?" eyes, that is the exact
plan, for during my childhood /
ran in aud out among those cannon
daily" John replied. well, my
government has been seeking for
that plan for many years, for it is
the plan of the only fort in any
country we have not secured, and
if war should be brought on be-
tween your government and mine,
it would be invaluable. Sell me
that plan and I will pay you ten
thousand dollars and promise that
it shall never be known" John
pondered over the proposition for a
few minutes but could come to nc
f definite conclusion. Ten thousand
dollars seemed large amonnt ol
l money ard he thought how com,
fortably his mother could live al
her life. But would she enjoy il
if she knew it's source! No. Blu
he might keep this knowledge from
her. Thus he reasoned, and finall,
consented to present the plans a
three o'clock next day and receive
! the money.
That evening, as was the custor
before retiring, the mother picked
up the Family Bible and prepared
n to read a chapter from it. At ont
Of the verses she stopped, and look
ing at her son, said, my son, 4
{ sinners entice thee, consent tho,
{ not" To John it seemed that sh'
r had peered into his very soul ane
I had answered the troublesome
e question there. All night he KEEP
repeating in his sleep. my son. j
{ sinners entice thee, consent thol
| not" until when morning appeared
he had fully decided what to do.
At the appointed time he arrived
, at the Office and there met the sin
ner in the form OF the Spaniard
: carving in his hand the tempting
check. Upon seeing that his &C
complice had no plans. he inquired
. the reason. John slowly told him
, of his mothers words, the battle o.
! his soul and the final victory. The
worldly Spaniard was deeply moved
and with a vigorous hand-shake
promised John that he would never
again entice man to sell his
honor.
In after years when John looked
back upon that long ago day, he
was thankful that he had been CIV
en- strength to do the right.