Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-10-09
Youths Department.
THE LENT HALF DOLLAR.
by THE REV. JOSEPH ALLEN. r. D.

little ragged boy that he overlook on his way
nome from the village school. There was
something In the kind Of crying that led Ar
thur to think that there was some serious cause
for it. ......
" I'm hungry" saidthe boy, "and can't get
nothing to eat" ...... .......
lie don't go to our school, or he would have
sad get anything to eat But Arthur did not
stop to criticise his manner of speaking.
to eat?"
/" She hasn't any thing for herself, and she is
sick, and cant get up"
Where is your fathcrp
+" hay'nt any. He was drowned away of at
sea" % a.
Drowned, you should say; and then he was
sorry that he he'd said SO, for it looked as though
be did not feel for his troubles.
Where do you liye!" So
" Down there pointing to miserable hut in
distant lane
Come with me, and I'll get you something,
arthur turned back, and the boy followed him.
lie had lew cents in his pocket, Just enough
as 1t proved, to buy loaf of bread. He cave if
to the boy, and told him he would 90 home with
him, The boy took the loaf, and though he did
not break it, he looked at it so wshulIy, that Ar
thur took his knife and cut off piece and Gave
1t to HIM to eat he ate in a manner that showed
that he had not deceived Arthur when he told
MIN he was hungry The tears came into Ar
thurs eyes as he saw him swallow the dry bread
with such eagerness.
He remembered with selfreproacb that he had
sometimes complained when he had NOTHING but
bread ana butter for tea. On their way to the
boys home, Arthur learned that the family had
moved INTO the place about a week before that
MS mother was taken sick the dav after thew
came, and was unable to leave her bed: that there
were two children younger than himself; that
inelr last iood was eaten the day before that his
molher had sent HIM out to beg for the first time
an his life that the first person he asked told him
beggars would be put in Jail, SO he was afraid II
ask any BODY else, but was returning home when
Arthur overlook him and asked what he was crv-
ing for.
Arthur went in and saw good-looking wo-
man on the bed with two small children crvinr
10y her Side. As liz opcneu me uooI, niorS
the Oldest say, "Do, mamma, give me something
to eat" They stopped crying when Arthur and
ahe boy came in. The boy ran to the bed, and
gave his mother the loaf, and pointing to Arthur
said " He bought it for me-"
Thank you" said the woman, may God
bless you and give you the bread Of eternal
life
The oldest little girl jumped up and down in
her joy, and the Youngest tried to seize the loaf,
and struggled hard to do so, but did not speak,
Seeing that the widows hands were weak, Ar
thur took the loaf and cut off piece for the
youngest first, and then for the girl and the boy.
He gave the loaf to the widow She ate a small
piece, and then closed her eyes and seemed to
be engaged in silent prayer.
" She must be one ofthe Lords poor," thought
Arther. "Ill go and get something else al quick
as can" said Arthur and departed
He went to Mrs Bertran's who lived near and
told her the story and she Immediately sent some
milk, and Bread and tea, and sugar, and butter,
and sent word she would come herself, as soon
as she got the baby to sleep.
Arthur had half dollar at home which he
wished to give to the poor woman. His father
gave it to him for watching sheep, and told him
he must not spend it, but put it out al interest, or
trade with it, so as to make something. He
knew his father would not let him give it away,
for he was not Christian, and thought of little
else than of saving and making money. Arthur's
mother died when he was an infant but with her
last breath she gave him to God.
When Arthur was five years old, he was sent
to school, to pious teacher who cared for his
soul and knowing that he had no teacher at home,
she took unusual pains to instruct him in the
principles of religious truth The Holy Spirit
helped her efforts, and before he was eight years
of age, there was reason to believe that he had
been born again.
Arthur was now in his tenth year, He con-
sldered how he should help the poor widow, and
atlength he hit upon plan which was success
full
His father was very DESTROYS that he should
begin to act for himself i'll BUSINESS matters, such
as making bargains. lie did not wish him to
ask his advice in so doing but to go by his own
judgement. After the business was DONE he would
show him whether it was wise or not but never
censured him. lest he should discourage hin
from ever again acting on his own responsibility
In view of these facts, Arthur formed hi
plan,
"Father, may lend my half dolar!"
"To some spendthrlt, boyl"
al won't lend it without good security"
The father was pleased that his son had thu
idea Of good security in his head, he would no
inqlire what it was for, he wished Arthur to de
eide that for himself He told him to lend il
h,,t ha caraflI mot IN lose II
"I'II be sure of that, said Arthur.
Arthur took his half dollar and ran to the poe
widow and gave It to her, and came away befor
she could thank him
At night his father asked him if he had pr
out his money .-.ar aa.
eyes, sir said Arthur, .
uXHLo m