Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-05-31
VOL. Ill.

The Gift of a friend. and whoever has found The
same shall be literally rewarded by leaving
i, a, The store of Mr. -, in Middle Street,
sit must be the same, Emily, and
you had better carry the ring TO the
store this morning."
81 will, mother but shall charge
nothing for finding it,"
Putting on her things, Emily start
cd for the shop in Middle Street. On
entering she made known her errand,
and the store-kceper remarked that the
gentleman who lost the ring had left
two dollcrs for him to pay, should any
one present it. But Emily refused to
take the money, and left the ring
The shop. keeper insisted en- her taking
the two dollars.
''The gentleman is rich and is able
to pay it, said he.
Finding that she refused and was
leaving the shop, he called her back
and requested her name and residence,
which She did not hesitate to give, and
then left the shop and returned to her
home.
The following Monday, when Emf
" and her mother were at their wash
tubs, some one knocked at the door,
The old lady went to sec who was
there, and presently returned, telling
her daughter a young gentleman was
in the front room, who wished TO sec
her. Wiping her face and hands on
her apron, she FASTENED into the room,
without unrolling her sleeves or unpin-
ming her gown. Yet she did not apol-
ogize for her appearance, taking it for
granted that if real gentleman wish
ed to see her, he would know that to
work was no disgrace, and that on
Monday morning she must ofcourse be
found at the wash-tub.
AS she entered the room the gentle
man remarked, 4" III mistake not, you
are the young lady who recently found
gold ring and left it at the store OF
Mr.. -"
" Yes SIR"
" But as you refused TO take the two
dollars left, didn't know but you
might think it too small sum, and !
have called TO present you with five
dollars"
"Oh, sir, did not think ! ought to
be paid for doing my duty, and there
fore ] refused 10 take it and | shall
now certainly refuse your liberal of
fer"
"But insist upon your taking it.
Here, accept this BILL"
81 cannot consent 10 take it. 1t
would not be right for me to be paid
for doing my duty do you think it
would, sir?"
"The ring | value at ten times that
sum. 1t was ring worn by a very
dear friend, who died about two years
since, and ON that account lprizc it
But merely ask you to take this bill
as a present, not as pay received for
a very honest act-and take it you
must"
DO not urge me to take it, SIR"
stake it-take it-and say not an
other word"
Reluctantly Emily held out her
hand and took the five dollars-re-
marking that she would cndeavor to
make good use Of it.
81 have no doubt Of that" said the
stranger. seeming but little inclined 10
leave ;-"you have probably learned
how to make good use of money"
:" Yes sir-as my parents arc poor,
| am obliged to earn my own living by
sewing and knitting and | expend
but very little for what / think is not
really useful"
"You take in work, then ?"
"Ycs, sir-all that l can get to do"
81 have some shifting should like
to have made up. Can | get you to
doit -
81 should be glad to do it for you"
Bidding Emily good morning the
stranger left the house, while the indus
trious girl returned TO her wash-tub.
Mother" said she, "who do you
suppose this stranger is? He~appears
to be an excellent man, and insisted up
on my taking five dollars for finding
the rIng."
81 cannot tell he must be some
rich mans son, or he could not afford
to give you so much.'
Besides, mother, he says he will
give me some work"
"lf he should, and you doit very
,rnu II my nnnn the WAY for rnnrn