Year: 1870

Not many years ago, thero lived in a
small town in Massachusetts, poor man,
but supposed to be honest, who had a
large family Of children; and he found
it necessary to get places for them to
work, while they were very young, that
they might aid, in part. in earning their
own livelihood.


One Of the oldest boys happened one
day to be in tailor's shop, and the
tailor was 50 favorably impressed with
him, that he proposed to the lad to come
and learn the art and the mystery of
the tailor's trade. And the boy pleased
with the offer, consented if his parents
should approve. Early the next week
both the parents with their son, with gar.
ments all neatly mended, appeared at the
shop Of the tailor, and stated to him that
the proposition as related by the boy had
been received with favor, and they had
vou,u " consult rs 70 teruis, &C. After
about the usual amount of conversation
in such cases, the terms were stipulated,
and the boss patted the boy on the head
saying: "Well my son if you will be a
good boy, l will teach you the art and
the mystery of the tailor's trade" The
parents returned home and the boy wa,
at first chore boy, but at length took
bis seat on the bench, and acquired rapid.
ly the science of sewing mending, cut.
ting and fitting. In word he became
very polished in his manners, and easy
in his address, and the business was large.
ly committed to his care. At length q.
a reward for his fidelity he became frs,
clerk in the establishment.


During all these long years, he Otter
visited his parents in their plain lttl,
home, and they with great solicitude Otter
asked If he had yet been taught the "ar
and the mystery?" And his reply be
ing uniformly negative, created, as wei
it might, some uneasiness as to the fna
issue of the matter. The young man wa
we'll pleased with his situation, and hi
employer was evidently not less satisfied
with his foreman and clerk. The an
xious parents could not find it in thei
hearts to broach the matter to the boss
lest it might in some way disturb the con
dition Of the son, whose prospects in ever,
other regard, they thought were as goo
as could be desired. The last year Of tn
young mans minority was more than hal
passed. and the discussion, at length be
came very frequent and earnest. In fac
the question was assuming an alarming
attitude. After the son had been S
faithful and had become 80 much of


gentleman that the parents scarcely dare
speak to him, if now the boss was not %
ing to reveal to him the "art and th
mystery" Of the tailor's trade, the rui
Of the son would be certain.


The young man at length came hom
elsted with joy and found his parents a


breakfast. A place at the table wa
soon made, and the son enjoyed with tn


family, their frugal meal and related hi


prospects before them all. He said b


was then Of age, that his employer wa
to give him a good salary, and he was t


have the care Of the shop, aud the oldes


daughter Of his employer was soon to
his wife. The mother could hear n
more, but asked at once if he had bee


taught the "art and the mystery" t


which he artlessly answered no The


said the father, "you are indeed of age I
act for yourself, but unless the old scam


will tell you the art and the mystery
> shall never consent to let you go ansthe
step with him."


That day the parents called upon tn
boss, and reminded him Of his promis,


made long ago, to reveal to their Son til
cart and the mystery" of the tailor
|, trade. ~ have forgotten all about it
said he,"but I'll tell you" "No," said h,
"tell my son, am not qualified to a
preciate it " "Yes you are" said Ii
: boss. The art is to get the money, az
{ the mystery is to keep it"


Moral-Men do not always get VII,
> they bargain for. CYrHAx.