Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-06-17
II Iture ano @eneral 1nte llisente.

The widow answered, nothing
you can do as you please resumed the unfeel-
ing man. But can tell you one thing-if don't
get my rent tomorrow | shall obtain il in the
quickest possible way, and let these rooms TO some
one who will pay deal better than you have ever
done. So you know what 10 depend upon
With this the landlord went away, and the widow
was left TO her own sad thoughts. The Oldest Of
her children was boy between eleven and twelve
years of age. The other two were girls; the
younger three years old. The public schools al.
forded the meass Of education TO these children
and it was the mothers aim to keep them together
as long possible, that they might enjoy the advan-
tages so literally provided for the poor as well as
the rich.--Charles, her son, advancing very
rapidly, and in few months she hoped to see him
in the high school. where she meant to strive hard
to keep him for at least two years course, before
he leh home TO learn some trade or go into store.
This lad was present during the brief interview
that passed between his mother and her landlord.
His young blood grew hot in his veins, and he wish
ed, for his mothers sake, that he was man.
Charles went to school with heavy heart. lie
understood from what had been said, clearly, the
extremity in which his mother was placed. And
he also knew that the threat Of seizing upon their
things and selling them, would be executed on the
next day, unless the rent was paid, for more than
one dsiraint had taken place, at the instance Of
this man, within the past year. and helpless widows
and children stripped Of their all without compunc-
ton, aud turned into The streets Young the
child was, he had been eyewitness to such
Of distress. No wonder that his heart was heavy
Al school, there was good deal Of talk among
the boys about the large subscription that had been
raised for the sufferers by terrible fire in West
ern city, the amount Of which had been published
/ in the morning papers. Tae fact that Mr. Benedict
Pefcival, the rich merchant. had given FIVE thou
sand dollars, was particularly dwelt upon. His
| praise upon all lips; and he was spoken Of as
one Of the most benevolent men in the city
Suddenly il flashed through the mind OF the lad
that il Mr. Percival was so rich and benevolent as
10 be able and willing to give five thousand dollars
for the relief Of suffering in another city, he would
be willing TO lend or give his mother seven dollars
to prevent her little all from being taken from her,
and she aud her children turned into the street in
the dead OF winter. The thought made his young
heart beat quicker aud his cheek TO burn. Until
dinner time he pondered this over his mind feeling
more confident each moment, that relief would be
obtained if application were made to Mr. Percival.
When Charles came home from school. after the
morning session. the face Of his mother full OF
distress. Though the boy tried TO eat when he sat
down TO dinner, he could with difficulty swallow his
food He left the table in few minutes aud, with
out speaking a word, took up his hat and hurried
from the room. Before leaving the school. he had
inquired Of the boys the direction Of Mr. Percivals
store, and towards this he now directed his steps
The public announcement Of his great liberalty,
united, as ii was, with high escomiums upon him
as 'one Of our weaihest and most benevolent citi.
zens, was particularly gratifying to Benedic. Per.
civa Esq. lie read the various paragraphs thai
met his eyes with the liveliest satisfaction and
joyed higher degree OF sefcompacency than he
had known for long time. II was especially agree
able TO him TO find that the largest subscription made
by any one except himself, was only Eve hundred
dollars; and that this sum subscribed by a
merchant who was reputed TO be worth twice az
much as himself Here was a triumph not often
+ to be had; and it was richly enjoyed Numerous
were the congratulations he received for being the
possessor Of such charitable feelings, united with
, the means Of gratifying them TO the fullest extent
Il was happy day for MIR Perciva Verify he
had his reward in the praise Of men, How muct
treasure was laid up in heaven by the act. we can
! not say-we have no means OF determining this.
About one o'clock, while Mr Percival was sitting
+ alone in his private counting room, thinking pleas
antly of what he had done for the good of his feI
, low men, and bordering that significant passage .
. Holy Wrt--.Charity covers multitude of sirs--
lad entered with timid look aud hestatinl
A step.
!. well, sir What do you want Z said the mer
4 chant in rather lorbidding tone, contracting hi
brows as he spoke.
. The child paused suddenly, at this reception, SC
different from what he had evidently expected AM
4 looked half frightened. But he gathered up hi
scattered confidence and told his GRAND lhus:--
|. My mother has got no money to pay her rent
and the man is going TO sell her things and turn al
n Of us into the street. She only owes him seve
q dollars. Won't you lend il to her, sir 7
= Mr. Perciyal looked at the lad a moment, reall
II astonished at his assurance, and then said
; 'Begone, sir. never encourage street begging
a If your mother isn't able to pay her rent, she ha
h better take you all TO the ams-house, where 20
will be well taken care Of
" Saying this. the benevolent merchant took tn
y lad somewhat rudey by the arm, aud leading hir
e to the door Of The room in which he had been 81
D. ting, thrust him into the one adjoining, lhroug
d which he had come where we're several clerks
,t saying 10 the latter, as he did So in rough, p,
IN remptory voice,
D. Don't let any more beggars in here. You kno
er have forbidden this over and over again
RS 4 shall be overrun by all the mendicans
e. town. muttered Mr. Percval to himself as he n
/. sumed his seat so much for having ones nam
re up as benevolent man.
rs When Charles came to school that afternoon, h
ie teacher noticed that he had been weeping and tn
D. he seemed to be in good deal of distress Blu
as though he asked him as to the cause, the lad d
not reply directly to his questions. Several tim,
p during the afternoon the teacher noticed that Cha
wiped the tears from his eyes, and that his mir
was SO much disturbed that he could not say bis lie
sons. He mentioned this TO his female assistant
I'M As Charles was leaving the school.room TO 60 HON
ei onlhe dismissal of his class this young lady, wi
VI had observed him frequently since her attention hi
d. been called to him, took him kindly by the har
OK and said
What is the matter with you, Charles? W
DIV appear to be very unhappy
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