The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-01-28
TIE SILVER sIXPENCE.

DO YOU sec here, sand ragged lille boy to n
group of gally dressed urchlns, us he came up
from Market street wharf, in Philadelphia, do you
see here, I've got a silver sypence.
| 'Why,' said jeremiah Budd, whose father was
wealthy shp-master, have six dollars to spend
on Christmas, and that fellow is proud of six
pcncer.' -,
Theodore heard and looked lhough,fally on the
ground for moment; then recolleclng himself,
six dollars to SPEND muttered he, but slxpence
10 keep il better than that
Theodore KEEP, his sixpence in his pocket, care
fully wrapped up for several weeks, but one day
his uncle, who kept fruit shop at the corner Of
The alley where he lived, said TO him, Theodore
,our <ixpence won't grow in your pocket You shond
pant it, ;.
Theodore understood him better when he told
him he might buy some fruit in the market with ii
and stand in his shop and sell it out ag2m. He
embraced the offer, doubled his money the first
day, and went on until he I'D rs much fruit to sell
us he had room for in his little corner.
| His uncle observing the thrifty, and wllhal hon
es, turn ofthc boy, finally took him into his store
as an assistant, and allowed him to trade sunGry
specified articles on his own account,
The closest attention TO business, the most care
ful management of his small funds, and that run
of good luck as it is called, which generally runs
with those who are saving, industrious and pru-
dent, in the course o! three or four years enabled
him to 90 into full partnership with his uncle, and
to extend his husnhSs, and dOub!c his former IL
mount
Having trimmed his sails rgh, ut FIRST, j, became
a Second nature with Theodore TO keep what sal
lors call close to the wind; and he nude astonishing
headway NOW. Soon after he was lweny-onr he
YEAS able 10 buy out the whole stock Of a dry goods
| ,l
coun, entirely. Still he prospered, became an i'm
porter, finally changed his business for Il whole
some concern, en- b rkcd in the India trade, and
at last married fine GIL, whose fortune was little
inferior to his own--and it Is said, that after that
occurrence, he was worth not less than half mil
lion.
Theodore now lived in an elegant mansion in
Arch street, kept his carriage, aud had everything
m handsome style, and yet attended ~ usual 10
his business. That he might never lose sight OF
bis fortune, the silver sSpence was blended with
the arms on his carriage; it formed the arms the
seal with which he stamped his letters; and he
had one Of til. coinsho used 10 say the very ilcn-
iaal one he first owncd-fistened upon his desk in
MS counting room, remememherng thus constantly
that by small means he had risen; he still, among
much well bestowed charity, looked well to small
things and never forgot how 10 reckon pence us well
rs pounds.
thus smoothly were Theodore's affairs going
FORWARD, when one salulary summers day, Just as
he entered hi' counting room, thin white person
presented himself at the counter and asked for
employment. lie woica tread-barc suit ofblack
~ old HIT, and his shoes were almost ready to
drop oil his feet. in what capacity said TheO-
horc 'do YOU wish for employ ment:'
nuny capacity was the reply, but SIR con-
nucd the stranger, wiping Il tear from his eye with
his coat sleeve, my father was merchant, aud he
brought me up to his professions should therefore
be glad OF employment as II clerk
Theodore looked ut him closely. He thought
he saw some lineaMcnl> he remembered.
What il Your name !: he asked.
The stranger hasilateL a moment, hung down
his head and replied, Jeremiah Budd.
'Ah!' said Theodore, recoecling him instantly,
and sou have got clear Of your six dollars long
ago, fancy, jrrcninh,'
Yes said jeremiah, with sigh, 'but | have
no, forgotten the ragged little hoy with his silver
.iyrcncc Had heen as careful my thousands
as he was Of his pence, | should not have be- /. here
rlendrss and ponnyess this day.
There was half triumphant smile on Theo-
lores face as he took the hand oihis visitor, which
seemed to spring irom snlf-compucen feelings
which was excusdhlc because rose partly from the
consciousness of his ability to aid one whose I'M
prudence had caused his misfortune, but who SEEM
ed now IL confess his error, lie took til, Hppii-
cant in'o his employ, and in process Of time res
torch him to business doing, active, prudent, aud
valuable mnn.
The lesson taught in the story is too plain to
need a word of addition. ! will ask, where is the
needy unn VINO has not spent more money foolish
~ in his life, than would be necessary 10 make
him comfortable now