South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-11-07

"tS'n>Sj oou hSsSt ""'S -
penny to buy my poor children a bit 10
est this blessed night"
nNever mind that" said John /; sdo
as bid you, and take up the purse at
once to the big house, and ask for the
young squire. have two cakes which ]
brought every step of the way with me
from England, and they will do for
the children's supper. ought surel y
to remember, as good right have,
what my master told me for my twelve
months wages, seeing never, as yet
found what he said to be wrong"
"And what did he say!" inquired his
wife.
That honesty is the best policy an.
swered John.
"Tis very we'll; and It's mighty easy
for them to say so that have never been
sore tempted, by distress and famine, to
say otherwise, but your bidding is enough
for me, john
Straightways she went to the big
house and enquired for the young squire;
but she was denied the liberty to speak
to him.
you must tell me your business, hon.
est woman said servant, with a head
all powdered and frizzled like cauli-
flower, and who had on a coat covered
with gold and silver lace and buttons
and every thing in the world.
IF you knew but ALL said she, Il an
ON honest woman, for I've brought 9
purse full of gold to the young master
that my little boy picked up by the road
side; surely it is his /; as nobody else
could have so much money
Let me see it, said the servant" Aye
it's all right --rll take care of it-yor
need not trouble yourself any more abou
the matter = and SO saying he slappet
The door in her face. When she return
ed, her husband produced the two cake!
which his master gave him on parting
and breaking one 10 divide between hi
children, how was he astonished at find
ing six guineas in it; and when he tool
the other and broke it, he found as man.
more. He then remembered the word
Of hls generous master, who desired hin
to give one of the cakes to his wife ant
not to eat the other himself until tina
time, and this was the way his maste
took to conceal his wages, lest he shoul'
have been robbed, or. have lost the mo
ney on the road.
| The following day, as John was stand
ing near the CABIN door, and turning 0
| yer in his own mind what he should d.
viii his iIsoHoy. the young squire cam,
riding down the road. John pulled OF
his hat, for he had not forgot his maa
ners through the means Of his travelling
to foreign parts, and then made SO bolt
as to enquire if his honor had got thu
| purse he lost.
Why, ia is true enough, my good fell
low, said the squire, Il did lose my purs,
yesterday, and hope you we're lucky e.
nough to find it; for II that is your cab
IN, you seem to be very poor, and shall
keep it as reward for your honesty.
Then the servant at the big house ne
yer gave it to your honor last night; af
ter taking it from Nance--she's my wife
your honor--and telling her it was al
right ?
oh, must look into this business,
said the squire.
did you say your wife, my poor man,
gave my purse to servant Ito what ser
want p
4 can't tell his name rightly, sale
John, because don't know it but new
er trust Nance's eyes again if she cam
point him out to your honor, if SO you
honor is DESTROYS of knowing
Then do you and Nance, as you cal
her, come up to the hall this evening
and III inquire into the matter, promise
you.' So saying, the squire rode off.
John and his wife went up accordingly
in the evening, and he gave small raj
with the big knocker at the great door
The door was opened by grand servant
who, without hearing what the poor PEG,
pie had to say, exclaimed On, 60 !-go--
what business can you have here 2 and
shut the door.
Johns wife burst out crying--'there
SAID she, sobbing as if her heart woult
break, I knew that would be the end o
it, +x
But John had not been in merry En-
gland merely to get his twelve guineas
packed intwo cakes. NO. said he firm
~, right is right, and I'll see the end o
IT, SO he set himself down on the steE
OF the door determined not to 60 until he
saw the young squire and as it happen.
ed, it was not long before he came out.
4 have been expecting you some time
John, said he, come in and bring yorl
wife in and he made them go before MIN
into the house. Immediately he directed
all the servants to come up stars, anC
such an army Of them az there was Il
was a real sight to see them.
Which of you, said the young squire,
without making further words. which Of
you all did this honest woman give my
purse to ?'-but there was no answer.
Well suppose she must be mistaken
unless she can tell herself
Johns wife at once pointed her finger