Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-08-05
miscellaneous.
HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.

HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.
This was the opinion kindly given by a
master to his faithful servant John, after laborng
for him some time, and about to return to his
family which he had left in great poverty the
year before. On arriving at his cabin, he found
his wife and children rejoicing over purse full
of gold, which the eldest boy had picked up on
the road that morning. Whilst he was away
they had endured all the mseries which the
wretched families of those who 90 over to seek
work in England exposed to. With preca-
rlous food without bed to lie down on, or
roof to shelter them, they had wandered through
the country, seeking food from door to door of
a starving population; and when sing lie potatoe
was bestowed, showering down blessings and
thanks on the yer, not in the set phrases of the
mendicant, but in burst of eloquence too fervid
not to gush direct from the heart. Those only
who have seen a family of such beggars as | de-
scribe, can fancy the joy with which the poor
woman welcomed her husband back, and in
formed him of the purse of gold
"And where did Mick, my boy, find it ?" in
quired John Carson.
| ~ ""' '''N yN"'i5 Si"iAN3 i'i NS't''4i1 VIZ
dropped it, said his wife efor he rode down the
road this morning, and leapng his horse in
the very gap where Micky picked up; but sure,
John, he has money enough besides, and never
the halfpenny have to buy my poor children a
bit to eat this blessed night"
"Never mind that" said John; edo as | bid
yon, and take up the purse at once to the big
| eli, c. Al L,,
cakes which | brought every step of the way
with me from England and they will do for the
chlldren's supper. | ought surely 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" answered
John.
{" 'Tis very well; 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 hoEse, and
inquired for the young squire but she was de-
MED the liberty to speak to him.
'You must tell me your business, honest wo-
man, said servant, with head all powdered
and trizzled like cau!lhower, and who had on
coat covered with gold and silver lace and but
tons, and every thing in the world,
"lf you knew but all, said she, 81 am an hon
est woman, for I've brought a purse full of gold
to the young master, that my little boy picked up
by the roadside for surely it is his, nobody
else could have so much money.
"Let me see it." said the servant. GAY, it's
all right-I'll take care of it-you need not
trouble yourselfany more about the matter; y and
so saying, he slammed the door in her face.
When she returned her husband produced the
two cakes which his master gave him on parting ;
and breaking one to divide between his children,
how was he astonished at finding six golden
guneas in it and when he took the other and
broke it, he found many more He then re-
membered the words of his generous master, who
desired hum to give one of the cakes to his wife,
and not to cat the other himself until that time ;
and this was the way his master took to conceal
his wages, lest he should have been robbed, or
have lost the money on the road.
The following day, as John was standing near
his cabin door, and turning over in his own mind
what he should do with his money, the young
squire came riding down the road. John pulled
off his hat for he had not forgot his manners
through the means of his travelling TO foreign
parts, and then made so bold as to inquire if his
honor had got the purse he lost.
"Why, it is true enough, my good fellow"
said the squire, 81 did lose my purse yesterday,
and hope you were lucky enough to find it for
if that is your cabin, you seem to be very poor,
and shall keep it as a reward for your honesty"
."Then the servant up at the big house never
gave it to your honor last night after taking it
from Nance-she's my wife your honor-and
telling her it was all right ?"
ooh, must look into this business said the
squire.
"Did you say your wife, my poor man, gave
my purse to servant-to what servant3"
al cant tell his name rightly" said John,
"because don't know it; but never trust