The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-10-11


each in different direction. Pierre went east
ward, Gabriel westward, and George towards the
South. John Schrnid greyed to part with his
children; but he knew il was for their good, and
bore his regrets IN silence. THE
Years rolled on. John Schmid grew old and
weak; but he would not touch kruetzer of his
children's capital At length he fell i'll; and some
fhis neighbors plying his lonely state, sent him
relief; others declared that they had poor enough
oftheir own to support, and though he had lived
in their village twenty-one years, threatened to
send him away as stranger. Upon this oldJohn
wrote to the merchant who held the money, say
ing, sSend me 800 florins Of the capital deposit
ed in your hands; for am aged and weak, and for
fourteen years have not heard from my children.
Doubtless they are dead. 1t will not be long ere
follow them to the grave"
The honest merchant promptly replied to the
old mans demand. 81 return you," he wrote.
''thc sum you ask. The balance remaining isper-
haps greater than you imagine. II has increased,
little by little, to more than 1000 FORMS"
When the money arrived the peasants started up
with wonder, and declared that John Schmid must
be conjurer. But the old man himself, in spite
of his riches, was unhappy. He wished TO join
his sons, whom he thought to be no more. He
would often exclaim, 81 shall die in solitude, no
son is left to close my eyes" However he rccoy-
cred from his illness, and it was destined that he
should not die alone.
One Sunday evening lie was seated with other
peasants under linden tree, when a aservant on
horseback rode up and-inquired if any one could
direct him to The cottage of John Schmid! The
villagers full of astonishment replied, "You need
not seek him in his house, for he is here" As
they stared and whispered inquiries to one another
as to what was TO come next, two handsome car
riages entered the village, and stopped before old
Schmid's door, Three well dressed gentlemen
and two ladies descended from the coaches, and
as old John made his appsaance threw themselves
successivey into his arms. "My dear father" said
the eldest, scan be possible that you have for
gotten us' lam Pierre. | have become whole
sale grocer at Varsovie, in Poland, and this lady is
my wife," Then the second spoke: 81 am your
son Gabriel, and also bring you daughter-n-law.
too, reside at Varsovie, and deal in corn"
Presently the third son came forward; 81, he,
said ''am George. have recently returned from
India where | made fortune by commerce.--
Seeing by the Cazettes that my brothers were IN
Poland, joined them, and we all agreed to travel
hither and seek you and make you happy for the
rest of your life" Poor John Schuid was quite
overcome, and shed tears. He invoked blessings
on his children. "To you," exclaimed one Of
them, ''we owe all of our good Had you not
taught US that nothing, be il ever SO despised, is
useess--had you not made us Industrious, perse-
verng, and economical, we should still be mendi-
cants -
The restpart of John Schmid's life was spent in
happiness for one or other of his always remain-
ed with him. The money, which had accumulat-
ed during their long absence, was drawn from the
merchant in whose hands ithad 50 much increased,
and employed in building up school for the gra-
tuitous education of poor children
To those who, like me, were aware of the
means by which the Schmds grew rich, their rise
in the world is known to be the certain result of
integrity, industry and perseverance in turning to
account things generally considered useless
Spite, however, of all can urge, one or two of
the more prejudiced villagers shug their shoulders
when John Schmids name is mentioned, and in
sinuate that he must have made compact with
certain natnele5s person. '"