He had learned to respect himself, and perceived
with great satisfaction that he was generally respected by the
boys. He no longer attempted to shirk his work in the shop, and
his father now spoke of him with complacency, instead of
complaint as formerly.
"Yes," said he one day, "Dick's a good boy. He was always smart,
but rather fly-a-way. I couldn't place any dependence upon him
once, but it is not so now. I couldn't wish for a better boy. I
don't know what has come over him, but I hope it'll last."
Dick happened to overhear his father speaking thus to a neighbor,
and he only determined, with a commendable feeling of pride, that
the change that had given his father so much pleasure should
last. It does a boy good to know that his efforts are
appreciated. In this case it had a happy effect upon Dick, who, I
am glad to say, kept his resolution.
It has been mentioned that John was the possessor of a boat.
Finding one great source of amusement cut off, and being left
very much to himself, he fell back upon this, and nearly every
pleasant afternoon he might be seen rowing on the river above the
dam.
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