Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-11-10
THE UNEXPECTED FRIEND.

1T must be, my child y said the poor wid.
ow wiping away the tears which slowly trick.
led down her wasted cheeks. There is nc
ether resource. | am too sick TO work. ant
you cannot, surely see me, and your little
brother starve. Try and beg few shilling,
and perhaps by the time that !, gone, | may
be better. Go. Henry my dear; grieye
TO send you on such an errand, but it mus,
be DONE
The boy. noble looking little fellow OF
aqout ten years, 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 we'll
that he did not, for his little heart was ready
TO break without it. 1t was bye-street in
Philadelphia, and as he walked to and fro on
the side walk he looked first at one person
and then another, as they passed him, but no
one seemed to look kindly on him, the lon
ger he waited the faster his courage dwndIed
away, and the more difficult il became to
master resolution to beg. The tears were
running fast down his cheeks, but nobody no.
tlced them, or if they did, nobody seemed to
care; for although clean, Henry looked poor
and miserable, and it is common for the door
and miserable to cry!
Every body seemed in a hurry, and the
poor boy was quite in despair, when a, las,
he espied gentleman who seemed to be We.
~ ieisurely taking morning walk. He was
dressed in black, wore three corned hat,
and had face that was as mild and benig-
nant as an angels Somehow when Henry
looked at him, he felt all his fears vanish a,
once, and instantly approached him. His
tears had been flowing so 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 faltering voice, begged for
little charity, the gentleman stopped, and
his Kind heart melted with compassion 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
accustomed to beg his bread said he, kind
~ laying his hand on the boys shoulder -
what has driven you to this stepi'
Indeed answered Henry, his tears be-
ginning TO flow afresh, 'indeed was not
loorn in this condition. But the misforlunes
of my father, and the sickness Of my mother,
have driven me to this necessity now
WHO is your father ? inquired the gen.
tleman, still more interested.
my father was rich merchant of this
city, but he became bondsman for friend
who soon after failed, and he was entirely
ruined. He could not live after his loss. ana
in one month he died of grief anu his death
was more dreadful than any other tro,nole'-
My mother, my little brother. and mys' ell
soon sunk into the lowest depth of poverty.
MY mother has, until now, managed to sup
port herself and ny little brother by her labor,
and l have earned what could by shovel
ling 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 do fear she will die. can
not think of any way in the world to hell
her. have not had the courage to 20 to
any of mothers old acquaintance, and tell
them that she had come to need charity.
thought you looked like stranger, sir, and
something in your face overcome my shame,
and gave me courage 10 speak to you. Oh,
sir, do pity my poor mother
The tears and the simple and moving Ian
guags of the poor boy touched chord in the
breast of the stranger that was accustomed to
frequent vibrations.
'Where does your mother live, my boy "
said he in husky voice.