“Go West, Young Man.” 
BY W. B. DERRICK. 
Go West, young man, if you would thrive, 
When you must leave your eastern hive; 
But don’t go West to live at ease, 
On corn and wine, and bread and cheese; 
For, let me whisper in your ear, 
Something that may seem very queer 
To one who thinks of going West,— 
That it is not the Land of Rest! 
Go West, young man, go West, I say, 
And live by honest toil, I pray, 
Then you will grow up with the place, 
And be a blessing to your race; 
But don’t go West to try to live 
Upon your wits, or handsome “phiz;” 
For you might miss and fail—that’s all— 
And great would be your dreadful fall. 
Go West, young man, if you have cash, 
And like at times a dish of hash; 
And what your hand may find to do, 
If your heart will with might pursue, 
Then you may meet with good success 
And end your days in happiness; 
But don’t go West to run in debt 
And fuss and fume, and fear and fret. 
Baileyville , III. 
REDEEMING HIMSELF. 
BY J. W. VAN KIRK. 
“Hello! what are you sitting down that 
way for ?” 
“Does the world move ’round?” 
“Are you tired of standing?” 
These words were directed toward an 
object too often seen upon our streets—a 
drunken man lying on the sidewalk unable 
to rise. 
Thomas Sterns’s father and grandfather 
both filled a chapter in a drunkard’s life, 
and he was traveling the same path. The 
law of hereditament proven, people said. 
It was no new thing for the boys to find 
Thomas in the above state, and chafe him. 
On this occasion, however, the fallen man 
found a friend in a voice ringing out: 
“Boys, it’s a shame to treat a man that 
way. My father often says that in his 
younger days Thomas possessed qualities 
above the average. Don’t act mean towards 
one because he is down. That is no way to 
help him improve.” 
The boys looked crest-fallen, and, turn¬ 
ing, found the speaker a boy nearly their 
own age. 
“All right, Randall!” exclaimed one, 
“but we meant no harm by our words.” 
“That may be,” returned the other, “but 
the man has feelings if he does drink.” 
The fallen man turned his eyes toward 
the boy called Randall, as he spoke, and a 
look hard to define passed over his features. 
**•»■&•* 
“Mr. Randall, I've come to say good-by,. 
I’m going to leave this 'place,” said Thomas 
Sterns, a few days after the foregoing 
scene, entering lawyer Randall's office. 
“What! you do not intend to leave town. 
Thomas?” and credulity was plainly de¬ 
picted upon the lawyer’s face. 
“Yes, sir, I do. I am going to lead a diff¬ 
erent life, and it is impossible for one to do 
so where he is looked down upon—pushed 
lower than what he is.” A slight tremor in 
his voice. 
“I am glad to hear, Thomas, that yon 
have made a resolve to better yourself. I’ve 
always said that you have the material of a 
man, if you would but make use of it.” 
“Yes, and it is owing to your kind words 
that decided me to change my course;” 
returned Thomas, speaking rapidly. “A few 
days since, I reeled and fell upon the side¬ 
walk; unable to rise, the boys scoffed me 
in my helpless condition, but your son, 
God bless him, repelled their taunts, inti¬ 
mated that you considered I had abilities, 
and from that moment I resolved never to 
touch another drop of liquor. A full sense 
of my position pierced my soul. I felt that 
I had not a friend in the world but you, 
and I determined to honor your words. I’m 
going west where I am unknown and com¬ 
mence life anew. When I succeed in my 
efforts, I will write; if you do not hear 
from me you may know that I’m done with 
earthly things; but, come what will, I shall 
never lower myself to poison drink again.” 
“Thomas, your words give me pleasure. 
I am glad you intend to make a man of 
yourself. Should you ever need help, send 
me word,” said Mr. Randall. 
“I have told no one of my decision, Mr. 
Randall, please do not mention it, or where 
I am going.” 
“Certainly not. if it is your wish. Here 
is ten dollars; take it, it may prove useful,” 
said Mr. Randall, as Thomas drew back. 
