When Admiral Farragut’s son was ten years old the father said
in his hearing that when he was old enough to make a contract
and keep it, he had a bargain to offer him. The son rose up
and asked the father what the contract was. The admiral said,
“The proposal I intend to make is this: If you will not smoke
or chew tobacco, drink intoxicating or strong wines, till you
are twenty-one years of age, I will then give you one thousand
dollars.” “I am old enough to make that bargain now,” said young
Farragut. “I will accept the offer.” The bargain was closed, and
when young Farragut was twenty-one the cash was handed over to
him. A smoking boy can save a thousand dollars in a few years in
the same way, besides saving physical energy and moral power.
(2724)