Year: 1870

AT meeting of the stockholders of a
prominent railway corporation, recently
held in this city, there were present two
gentlemen, both well up in years, one,
however, considerably the senior of the
other. In talking of old times gone by,
the younger gentleman called the atten-
ton of his friends and told pleasant little
story which should be read with profit by
every poor, industrious and striving lad.
We use his own language:


NEARLY half a century ago, gentlemen,
l was put upon tho world to make my
living. / was stout, wiling and able, con-
sidering my then tender years, and secured
a place in hardware store TO do all kinds
of chores required / was paid seventy
five dollars per year for my boyish services.
One day, after had been at work three
months or more, my friend there, Mr.. b.,
who holds his age remarkably well, came
into the store and bought large bill of
shOvels and tongs, sad-irons and pans,
buckets, scrapers and scuttles, for he was
to be married next day, and was supplying
his household in advance, as was the
groom's custom in those days. The articles
were packed on the barrow and made a
load sufficiently heavy for young mule.
But, more willing than able, | started of,
proud that could move such mass on
the wheelbarrow. | got on remarkably
well till [ struck the mud road, now
Seventh avenue, leading to my friend BIS
house. There | toiled and tugged, and
tugged and toiled, but could not bulge the
load up the hill, the wheel going its full
half diameter in the mud every time L
would try to propel forward. Finally a
good natured Irishman passing by with IA
dray took my barrow, self and all on his
vehicle, and in consideration of my
promise to pay him bit landed
me at my destination. | counted
the articles carefully as / delivered
them, and with my empty barrow
trudgcd my way back, whistling with glee
over my triumph over difficulty. Some
weeks after paid the Irishman the hit,
and never got it back from my employers
Mr.. B., | am sure, would have remuncr
ated me, but he never before heard
this story, SO if he is inclined he can com
promise the debt by sending me bushel
of his rare ripe peaches next fall. But 10
! the moral A merchant had witnessed my
struggles, and how zealOusly | laborcd to
deliver that load of hardware; he even
watched me to the house and saw me count
each piece as handed it in the doorway.
lie sent for me next day, asked my name,
told me he had a reward for my industry
and cheerfulness under difficulty, in the
shane of five hundred dollar clerkship
in his extensive establishment. | accept
ed, and now, after nearly half century
has passed, look back and say | wheeled
myself into all own, for that reward of
perseverance was my grand stepping
stone to fortune"


The speaker was very wealthy banker,
man of influence and position, and one
universally respected for many good quail
ties of head and heart. Boys, take a
moral from this little story and be willing
and industrious. You do not know how
many eyes are upon you to discover
whether you are sluggish and careless, or
industrious and willing, or how many
there are who, if you are moral and
worthy, will give you a stepping stone To
wealth and position.-Pittsburgh Gazette.