Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-10-21
THE UNEXPECTED FRIEND.
NFArTIFVL TALE

resource. am too sick to work, and you can
not, surely, see me and your little brother starve
Try and beg few shilings, and perhaps by
the time that is gone, may be better. Go,
Henry, my dear; grieve to send you on such
an errand, but il must be done
The boy, noble looking little fellow, about
ten years Of age, started up. and throwing his |
arms around his mothers neck, left the house
without word. He did not hear the groan Of
anguish that was uttered by his parent as the
door closed behind him. and it was well that
he did not for his little heart was ready to burst
without 1t. II was by-strect in Philadelphia,
and as he walked to and fro on the side walk,
he looked first at one person and then at ano.
ther, as they passed him, but no one seemed to
look kindly on him, and the longer he waited.
the faster his courage dwindicd away, aud the
more difficult it became to muster resolution to
beg. The tears were running fast down his
cheeks but nobody noticed them, or if they did,
nobody seemed to care; for although clean,
Henry looked poor and miserable, and il is com.
mon for the poor and miserable to cry,
Every body seemed in hurry, and the poor
boy was quite in despair, when at last he es-
pied gentleman who seemed to be very lei
surely taking a morning walk. He was dress
ed in black, wore three cornered hat, and had
a face that was as mild aud bcngnant as an
angels. Somehow, when Henry looked at him
he felt all his fears vanish at once and Instant
ly approached him. Ills tears had been aow-
ing go long, that his eyes were quite red and
swollen and his voice trembled--but that was
with weakness, for he had not eaten for twenty
four hours As Henry, with low, fal,ering
voice, begged for little charity the gentleman
stopped, and his kind heart melted with COM
passion as he looked into the fair countenance
of the poor boy, and saw the deep blush which
spread all over his face, and listened, to the
modest, humble tones which accompanied his
petition.
! You do not look like boy that has been ac-
customed to beg his bread said he, kindly lay
ing his hand on the boys shoulders, what has
driven you TO this step =
Indeed answered Henry, his tears begin
ming 10 flow atresh, indeed, was not born in
! this condition. But the misfortunes Of my IA
,her, and the sickness of my mother, have
driven me to the necessity now
WHO is your father = inquired the gentle
man, still more interested.
Ny father was rich merchant OF this city !;
but he became bondsman for friend, who soon
a.. g.. I,l l.. l.
could not live long after this loss, and in one
month he died cfgrief, and his death was more
dreadful than any other trouble. My mother,
my little brother and myself soon sunk into
the lowest depth ofpoverty. My mother has,
until now, managed to support herself and my
little brother by her labor, and have earned
what could by shoveling snow and other work
that could find TO do. But, night before last,
mother was taken very sick, and she has since
become so much worse that'-here the tears
poured faster than ever--'I do fear she will die.
| cannot think ofany way in the world to help
her. have not had any work for several
any of my mothers old scquaintances, and tell
them that she has come to need charity.
thought you looked like a stranger, sir, md
something in your face overcome my shame
and gave me courage To speak to you Q, cir,
do pity my poor mother
The tears, and the simple and moving Ian,
guage Of the poor hoy, touched chord in the
breast of the straGger that was accustomed ,c
treque%..;, vibrations
Where does your mother live, my boy ! said
he in a husky voice, 'is i, fag from here =
She lives in the last house in this street, sir,
replied Henry. you can see il from here, II
the third block and on the LET, hand side
Have you sen, for Il physcanr
NO, SIR said the boy, sorrowfully shaking
, his head, 4 had no money TO pay either for
physician or for medicine
Here said the stranger, drawing SOM
pieces Of silver from his pocket, here are ,hre
= dollars, take them and run Immediately TOR
physician
!. Henry's eyes flashed with gratitude-he re
cciyed the money with stammering and a.
!. most inaadible voice. but with look Of tn
, warmest gratitude, and vanished.
e The benevoen, stranger Immediately sougt
je the dwelling Of the sick widow. He entered
IA little room in which ne could see nothing but
n- few implements Of fenas labor--a miserabl
re table, an old bureau, and little bed whc
le stood in one corner, on which the invalid Ia