1. "Is Mr. Harris in'?" inquired a plainly, but neatly dressed boy, twelve or thirteen years of age, of a clerk, as he stood by the counter of a large bookstore. The clerk regarded the boy with a haughty look, and answered: "Mr. Harris is in; but he is engaged." 2. The boy looked at the clerk hesitatingly, and then said: "If he is not particularly engaged, I would like to see him." แ 'If you have any business to transact, I can attend to it," replied the clerk. "Mr. Harris can not be troubled with boys like you.” 3. "What is this, Mr. Morley ?" said a pleasant-looking man, stepping up to the clerk; "what does the boy want?" "He insisted on seeing you, though I told him you were engaged," returned the clerk, a little abashed by the manner of his employer. 4. "And what do you wish to see me about, my lad ?” inquired Mr. Harris, kindly. The boy raised his eyes, and, meeting the scornful glance of the clerk, said timidly: "I wish you to look at the bill of some books which I bought here, about three months since. There is a mistake in it, which I wish to correct." 5. "Ah, my boy, I see," replied Mr. Harris; "you have overpaid us, I suppose !" "No, sir," answered the boy. "On the contrary, I purchased some books which are not charged in the bill, and I have called to pay for them." 6. Mr. Harris looked at the boy earnestly for a moment, and then asked: "When did you discover this mistake?" "Not until I reached home," replied the lad. "When I paid for the books I was in a great hurry, fearing the boat would leave before I could reach it, and I did not examine the bill." 7. "Why did you not return before, and rectify the mistake?" asked the gentleman, in a tone slightly altered. "Because, sir, I live some distance from the city, and have not been able to return till now." 8. "My dear boy," said Mr. Harris, "you have given me great pleasure. In a long life of mercantile business, I have never met with an instance of this kind before. You have acted nobly and deserve a recompense." "I ask no recompense," returned the boy. "I have done nothing but my duty—a simple act of justice, and that deserves no reward, but itself." 9. "May I ask who taught you such noble principles'?' inquired Mr. Harris. "My mother,'' answered the boy, bursting into tears. Be 10. "Blessed is the child who has such a mother," said Mr. Harris," and blessed is the mother of such a child. faithful to her teachings, my dear boy, and you will be the staff of her declining years." "Alas, sir," said the boy, "my mother is dead! It was her sickness and death which prevented me from coming here before." 11. What is your name?" inquired Mr. Harris. "Edward Delong." "Have you a father living' ?" "No, sir. My father died when I was an infant." 12. "Where do you reside ?" "In the town of Linwood, about fifty miles from this city." "Well, my boy, what are the books which were forgotten?" "Tacitus and a Latin Dictionary." 13. "Let me see the bill. Ha! signed by A. C. Morley. I will see to that. Here, Mr. Morley!" called Mr. Harris; but the clerk was busily engaged in waiting on a customer at the opposite side of the store, bowing and smiling in the most attentive manner. 14. "Edward," continued Mr. Harris, "I am not going to reward you for what you have done; but I wish to manifest my approbation of your conduct in such a manner, as to make you remember the wise and excellent precepts of your departed mother. Select from my store any ten books you choose, which, in addition to the two you had before, shall be a present to you; and henceforth, as now, my boy, remember and not despise the day of small things.' If ever you need a friend, call on me, and I will assist you." 15. The grateful boy thanked his kind benefactor, and, with tears in his eyes, bowed and left the store. Edward Delong wished for knowledge, and, though the scanty means left him by his mother, could hardly satisfy his desire, by diligence and economy he had advanced far beyond most boys of his age. By working nights and mornings for a neighbor, he had amassed, what seemed to him, a large sum of money, and this was expended in books. 16. Edward's home was now with a man who regarded money as the chief end and aim of life, and severe and constant physical labor as the only means of obtaining that end. For two years Edward struggled with his hopeless condition, toiling early and late to obtain a livelihood. 17. Edward now resolved to go to the city, to seek some employment, better adapted to promote his education. He entered the same store where he purchased the books, and inquired for Mr. Harris. "He is engaged," replied the polite clerk. wait a moment, he will be at liberty." "If you will 18. "Did you wish to see me?" asked Mr. Harris of the boy, whose thoughts were so intense that he had not noticed the approach of his friend. "Mr. Harris!" exclaimed Edward, and it was all he could say. For the remembrance of past favors bestowed on him by his kind benefactor, so filled his heart with gratitude, that further utterance was denied. "My noble Edward!" said the old gentleman. you needed a friend. Well, you shall have one.” "And so 19. Five years from that time, Edward Delong was the confidential clerk of Mr. Harris, and, in three more, a partner in the firm. The integrity of purpose, which first won the regard of his benefactor, was his guide in after life. Prosperity crowned his efforts, and happiness blessed his heart, the never-failing result of faithfulness in little things. 2. QUESTIONS.-1. Why did Edward Delong wish to see Mr. Harris? Had he overpaid for the books he purchased? 3. What did he say when Mr. Harris told him he deserved a recompense? 4. What books were not charged in the bill? 5. In what way did Mr. Harris manifest his approval of Edward's conduct? 6. How long after this, before he again called on Mr. Harris? 7. Why could he not, at first, talk with Mr. Harris? 8. What did Edward finally become? |