The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-08
THE LENT HALF DOLLAR.
By REV. Joseph ALDEN, D. D.

"What are you crying fort" sand Ar
thur to a little ragged boy that he over
took on his way home from the village
school. There was something in the
kind ofcrying that led Arthur TO think
that there was some serious cause for it.
al am hungry" said the boy, sand ]
can't get nothing to eat" d.
He don't 60 10 school, or he would
have said, get any thing to eat. But
Arthur did not stop to criticise his Ian
guage. @@l
.Why don't your mother give you
something to eat9" aH a9 aas
"She hasn't anything for herself. and
she is sick and can't get up" 4
"Where is your father?" 1as .Ha
81 havn'tany. He was drownded off
at sea-" 4lG 6i sg seFi
"Drowned, you should say," and
then he was sorry that he had said so,
for it looked as though he did not feel
for his troubles. SIS 0
"Where do you livef" 8
SHOWN there," pointing to misera-
Bile hutin distant lane.
.Come with me, and pllget you some
thing to eat"
Arthur turned back and the boy fol-
lowe him. Boa ges
He had a few cents in his pocket,
Just enough as it proved to buy a loaf
ofbread. He gave il to the boy, and
told him he would 60 home with him.
The boy took the loaf, and though he
did not break it. he looked at it SO wish
fully, that Arthur took his knife and
cut off piece and gave it to him to
eat; he ate in manner that showed
that he had not deceived Arthur when
he told him he was hungry. The tears
came into Arthur's eyes as he saw him
swallow the dry bread with such eager
ness. He remembered, with some
self-reproach, that he had nothing but
bread and butter for tea. On their
way to the boys home, Arthur learned
that the family had moved into the
place about week before, that his moth
er was taken sick the day after they
came, and was unable to leave her bed
that there were two children younger
than himself; that his mother had sent
him out to beg for the first time IN his
life; that the FIRST person he asked told
him beggars would be put in Jail, SO he
was afraid to ask any body else, but
wasreturning home when Arthur over
took him and asked him what he was
crying for.
Arthur went in and saw good
looking woman on the bed, with two
small children crying by her side. As
he opened the door he heard the Oldest
say, "Do mamma, give me something
to eat, They stopped crying when
Arthur and the boy came in. The boy
ran to the bed and gave his mother the
loaf, and pointing to Arthur, said, "He
bought il for me-" I
.Thank you," said the woman, "may
God bless and give you the bread Of
life" grW sa ar-
The oldest little girl jumped up and
down in her Joy, and the youngest tried
so seize the loaf, and struggled hard to
do so, but did not speak. Seeing thai
the widows hands were weak, Arthur
took the loaf and cut off piece for the
Youngest first, and then for thegirl anc
the boy. He gave the loaf to the wild
low. She ate a small piece, and ther
closed her eyes and seemed to be en-
gagged in silent prayer.
aShe must be one of the Lords poor
thought Arthur. "l'llgo and get some
thing else for you as quick as | can,
said Arthur, and he departed.
i He went to Mrs. Berton, who live
near, and told her the story, and imme
diately sent some milk and bread, te
and sugar, and butter, and sent wor
she would come herself as soon as sh
could get the baby asleep. ~ ~.
Arthur had half a dollar at horne
which he wished to give to the poo
woman. His father gave it 10 him 70
watching sheep, and told him that b
must not spend it, but put it out at ir
terest, or trade with it SO as to max
something. He knew his father woul
not let him give il away, for he was nc
a christian, and thought OF little els
than Of making and saving money!
Arthur's mother died when he was a
. infant, but with her last breath she CAV
him to God.
} Arthur was now in his tenth yeal
! He considered how he should help tn
poor widow, and at length he hit upo
a plan which proved successful.
} His father was very desirous that h
should begin to act for himself in bus
/, ness matters. such as making bargains
He did not wish him to ask his adyic
in SO doing, but TO go by his own JUDI