THE END.
Let almost a quarter of a century pass, and inquire, where and what are
Nat and his associates now? We have advocated the sentiment throughout
these pages, that the character and position of manhood are determined
by boyhood and youth. How is it with the group of boys who have figured
in the foregoing pages? Does the history of each one verify the truth we
have taught? or is even one of the number an exception to the general
principle stated?
We have already seen one of this number laid in a drunkard's grave,--the
boy who thought he could take the social glass, according to the custom
of the times, and still be safe,--the youth who had more confidence in
his own strength to resist temptation, than he had in the wholesome
counsels of superiors. How speedily the thoughts, habits, and corrupt
principles of his youth, wrought his ruin!
Some distance back in the story, we lost sight of Samuel and Benjamin
Drake,--the two disobedient, idle, reckless, unmanageable boys, at
fifteen years of age. What has been their history? Alas! it is written
in letters of shame! The following description of these boys, when they
became young men, taken from the records of a State prison, will show
that both of them have been there.
"Samuel Drake: 28 years old--blue eyes--sandy hair--light
complexion. ---- Mass."
"Benjamin Drake: 22 years old--blue eyes--light hair--light
complexion--scar on right instep. ----, Me."
We give the true record, except that we use the fictitious names
employed in this volume, and withhold the names of the towns from whence
they were conveyed to prison.
Five years later to the records of the same prison was added the
following:
"Samuel Drake: 33 years old--blue eyes--sandy hair--light
complexion--second comer. ----, Mass."
By this it appears that Samuel was twice in the State prison by the time
he was thirty-three years of age. What has been his course since that
period is not exactly known, though report said, a few years ago, that
he ended his life on board a pirate-ship.
But the reader is surprised, perhaps, that Benjamin should become the
inmate of a prison; for the last we saw of him was when he was preparing
for the ministry--a converted youth, as he thought, of seventeen years.
We cannot furnish every link that connects his boyhood and manhood; but
the painful story is told, in substance, when it is said that his
religion proved like the morning dew, and his early vicious habits
returned with redoubled power, so that five years after he attended the
prayer-meeting with Frank Martin, he was incarcerated for theft. It is a
startling illustration of the force of boyhood's evil habits, often
lording it over a man to his shame and ruin, even when he has resolved
to lead a better life.
The remainder of this group of boys have proved an honor to their sex,
as the principles and habits of their early lives fairly promised.
Frank Martin stands at the head of a public institution, where great
responsibilities are devolved upon him, as a servant of the
Commonwealth. Strange as it may seem, the institution over which he
presides is the one in which his old associates, Samuel and Benjamin
Drake, were incarcerated; and Frank himself opened the prison records
for the writer to make the foregoing extracts.
Charlie Stone has been connected with manufactures from the beginning,
advancing from one post of responsibility to another, employing his
leisure time to improve his mental faculties; and he is now the honored
agent of one of the wealthiest and most celebrated manufacturing
companies of New England, commanding a salary of THREE THOUSAND AND
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
Marcus Treat, perhaps influenced by the example of Nat, devoted his
spare moments to self-culture, and made commendable progress before he
resolved to quit his trade, and educate himself for the legal
profession. Without means of his own, or wealthy friends to aid, he
succeeded in his laudable efforts, and, without being able to command a
collegiate education, was admitted to the bar. He now occupies a post of
honor and influence in a thriving State of our Union, where he is known
as one of the most popular members of the bar.
And Nat--what and where is he? He is now known to fame as His
Excellency, The Governor of ----, the best State in the Union, which is
only one remove from the Presidency of the best country in the world. By
his own diligence, industry, perseverance, and self-reliance, he has
fully earned the confidence of his constituents. No "lucky stars," no
chance-game or accident, can make a Governor out of a bobbin boy; but
the noble qualities named can, as if by the power of magic, achieve the
wonderful transformation. It is true of him, as the poet has said of all
distinguished men,--
"The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight;
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night."
And now, ere the youthful reader closes this volume, let him stop and
resolve to imitate the bright example of him whom we never more shall
dare to call Nat. His business now is so different from that of carrying
bobbins, and his position and character so far removed from that of
student-boy in his father's attic, that we can only call him HIS
EXCELLENCY, as we reverently tip our hat. But the leading
characteristics of his youth are worthy of your imitation, whether you
desire to pursue the path of knowledge or any other honorable vocation.
Are you poor? So was he; poorer than hundreds of the boys who think that
poverty stands in the way of their success. Are your advantages to
acquire an education small? So were his; smaller than the opportunities
of many youth who become disheartened because they are early deprived of
school. Are you obliged to labor for a livelihood, so that your "odd
moments" are few and far between? So was he; and if ever a lad could be
excused from effort on this plea, it was he who toiled fourteen hours
per day in a factory, to earn his bread. There is no excuse for
non-exertion that will stand before the Bobbin Boy's example--not one.
Imitate it, then, by cultivating those traits of character which proved
the elements of his success.