Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-03

fell upon the wretched boy rs he Leaned
against the post, holding in his hand a
time honorcd hapless hat which he had
removed to catch the grateful zephyr
that gently famed his marble brow, and
sported with his manly locks.
MIR. N. paused to look upon the boy.
So young, 50 fair, and ye, mendIcant
Yet it may have been the result OF mis-
fortune or accident, and the possibility
that his own fair haired boy might, in
the mutations of fortune, yet velled in
the impeneirable future, be brought To
the same low estate, sho, through his
mind.
N. was m impulsive man, when his
heart was touched, but very cautious
when the appeal was to his judgment. -
On the present occasion he did not stop
to enquire whether this case of youthful
mendicancy originated in misfortune or
crime, or whether It was an artificial in
posture. lie had long since settled in
his mind, that if begging was not the
proper remedy if imposture, better that
ninety. nine practice deception than thai
one perish from want,
He dropped piece Of money in the
hat and hurried on. Preston was a
reused TO consciousness of his degra-
dat'on;- he hastily pursued the stranger
and returned the money. Excuse me,
sir, said he, hut you made a mistake /;
| am not bcggar, and his eye fell upon
the threadbaro apparel, and be felt dis
posed To recall bis words. Il am not as
YOU suppose, sir, a beggar-but yet
that is--may be you can tell me where
| can get something to do. n could
readily discover traces of suffering; the
boys conduct gave proof ofhonesty, and
the most touching delicacy and sensibilI-
ty. lie asked him some questions, and
as they slowly walked on, drew from
him his short history. They reached the
corner OF the street leading to Ms resi-
dence and were about to part. Can you
tell me, asked Ed gar again, 'who wants
a boyP lie hardly dared to hope for a
favorable reply, and as N. paused to
think, the poor child thought he was stop
ping to gather words TO mitigate the
severity Of the dreadful 'non
'lesn said n. ; you can get employ
ment; give me your name and number,
and be at home about three O'Clock this
afternoon, and he left him.
Edgar returned home, and but for the
baImy influence of that gentle 'yes,
might have gone out no more, so like the
fatal stroke OF the dagger was the short
and irrevocable mop OF the ironmonger,
as it fell upon the enr as hard as the
wnres in which he dealt.
Let US follow the lively Charlotte, for
a few moments. Soon after her brother
had gone out, with the manuscript, she
donned her bonnet, and stealing out un-
perceived, FASTENED down to Chestnu,
street, and rang the bell of the first mar
bic front she came to. She had prepar-
ed moving speech, intending to use ii
in procuring work to feed her poor mo-
iher. A servant answered the summons,
and she enquired for the lady of the
house she modestly stated her object,
but Mrs. G.'s speech was more moring
than her's-she ordered her out IN dou-
bio quick time, applying such gentle
epitheis as troliop, vagrant, and theft.
She tried another but thought it better
to make the application by single in.
terrog ation, rather than the verbal flour
ishes she medi,a,ed. Have you any
work you can give me p she asked of a
bland and smiling lady who met her on
her second trial. The reply was a
brief and chilling oDe-'no y
1t is needless to say how that simple
word fell like a load OF despair upon her
heart she returned home iatigued and
what beautiful girl that is = said
George g. to his mother, as that lady
closed her long TRADE and her door upon
the humble Charlotte Preston. lie had
but a glimpse Of her beautiful features
as she passed under the window, but
that single impression, momentary as it
was like the concentration Of the solar
rays upon the daguerrean plate, was
Iile-like, and for life.
n. took his dinner, and glancing o.
yer the wants in the newspaper, pro-
ceedcd to the store of Mr.. Chandler. -
Are you supplied with boy ? he ask
ed Of Chandler, to whom he was well
known.
Not yet, said the merchant
'Then do not be in a hurry said n
'for | will bring you one, and | think
you wlll be pleased with him.
He went for Edgar, aud returned
with him 20 the store. Great was Chan
dler's surprise to see his friend n bring
ing in the very same boy whom he had
rrPu'sod in the morning. N. had lit
tie private conversation with the mer-
chant
This young man. said he, lis very
poor, but he has many good qualities !;
he is struggling to help feeble, blind
mother, and number of sisters, and it
is much better to make him an honest
man, than it will be 10 reform him when
poverty has driven him 10 crime.
Is he honest now p interrupted
Chandler.
Perfectly will vouch for him
Il generally give boys nothing, in the