The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-03-19
From the Golden Rule.
William and Egbert or The two
SiX.D0nCeS,

hke'each other in their habits and dspo
si'ions. William was left an orphan a
eight years of age by the death of boil
father and mother. They left but twl
children, William, and a sister four wears
ofage. A series of misfortunes had re.
duced the parents 10 extreme poverty, al
lutte Alkaline was adopted into the family
OF distant relative, while William was
taken into the family of his uncle, the faith
er OF e gberte Poor William it was a
cad parting when he took q last look oil
his only sister. after being so recently
borne away from the cottage CT his inlan.
eey and childhood, and The fresh graves oil
his father and mother.
A careless observer might think the
change much to the advantage of William
for while his father had been poor, OBJ
scure mechanic in country town, his IN.
Gle, into whose family he was adopted
was wealthy merchant in one of our
large cities. and was universally respected
as man of upright moral charac,er.-
Doubtless, Go who "Iempers the wind
TO the shorn lamb did make all things
work together for good 10 his orphan bow
for ne trusted in Him as the Father of the
fatheriess; but he had many secret sor-
lows which none but his Father IN Heav>
en- knew. His parents, though poor, were
pious and intelligent, and left rich in
hertance in their good examples, their in.
slructlons and their prayers. Buta moth.
er's prayers he could hear no more. His
aunt was Affectionate and kind, and suffi-
GENTLY attentive TO the wants of the body,
but Of the soul, she seemed to take little
thought. But the instructions which
Williams mother had so faithfully given
him were seed sown in good ground, and
brought forth precious fruit when she was
Wondering in her grave. Her words
were treasured in his memory, and her
counsels and admonions seemed ever
present 10 bis mind. "What would nv
mother think if she was looking down
apoa me ?" he would often say 10 him
self when tempted to do what his con-
science Whispered was not right.
Among other virtues which his mother
had taught him to practice, was that OF
kindnss and benevoence. Her long con.
tinued ill health made it necessary for him
10 do many things which few boys of his
age would think of attempting; and the
habits OF industry and seIf-denial which he
thus acquired laid the foundation for much
to his usefulness and happiness in after
life.
One day William and his cousin had
been doing some extra little Jobs about he
store of his uncIe, and when they had fn>
ished he gave each Of them a six pence to
spend as they pleased. E ebert few to
the nearest contectoners shop and expcnd
ed his money in fruit and candies which
he devoured in eager haste, moi even stop
ping 10 think how much better it would
he to share it with his little sister at home.
But William resolved 10 put his money 10
the best possible use so he went home
and put il snug y away in his box-not to
hoard 1t there, but 10 depOsite it till he had |
occasion 10 use it. Egbert came home
at night sullen and frelful--his mother
did not know the cause, but he knew that |
he had made himself sick with candy, but
was ashamed to tell how foolish he had
been. So after being severely reproved
for his i'll conduct, especially his iretful-
uSSS tO"ul oo iIltlO SISlCI lie went 10
bed to pass an uncomfortable night and
wake in the morning with headache and
sick stomach. Thus much for his six
pence worth Of candy so sel6shly and
greelily devoured.
Now for the history OF Williams six
pence. A few days after he had put it in
his little bank he met with boy in the
street, somewhat older than himself try>
ing to sell some matches. He was rough>
ly answered by some one 10 whom he ap>
piled, and William saw tear start in his |
eye. His heart was touched, and he felt |
anxious to know something of the poor
boys history. He learned from him that
his father was at sea, and that he had been
so long absent that his mother was much !
distressed for fear the ship was Iost-that
ehe was sick and the money his father had |
left them being all gone, they had no
means Of getting even loaf Of bread and
for this reason, he had been all the after,
noon trying 10 sell his matches, but in
vain. He wept bitterly as he told bis sad
tale, and William wepl too; bat his eye
Frightened as he thought OF the six, pence
in his little box, He had learned from
the boy that his mother lived nearly on
the way to his uncle's, and, and as ii was
nearly night, he proposed that he should
60 home, saying, "I'lI see that you have
q loaf Of bread" He accompanied the
poor boy so near tho door OF his house as
10 see where he lived, and then speedily
ran home, drew his s;x-pence from lis
hiding place, and at bakers near by
purchased his loaf, with which be joyful
ly fastened to the humble dwelling. The
story OF the poor boy was fully true
His mother was indeed sick, and greatly
distressed at his fathers long ABSENCE
AS he enlered,a little girl sprang from her
seat near the fire and ran 10 her mnlherls