Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-17
LOOKING FOR A PLACE.


We'll. Johnny, have you succeeded to-day,
my son!'
Nothing good to day. mother l have been
all over town almost, and no one would take
me. The book stores. and dry goods stores,
and groceries have plenty of boys already
but think if you had been with me, should
have stood better chance
oh, you look so thin and pale, another,
somebody would have felt sorry, and so taken
me. but nobody knew me, and nobody saw
YOU
A tear stole down the cheek of the little
boy as he spoke, or'he was almost discour-
aged ; and when the mother saw the tear, not
a few ran down hers also.
1t was cold. bleak night. and Johnny had
been out all day looking for "a place. He
had persevered. although constantly refused,
until it was quite dark, anu then gave up,
thinking his mother must be tired waiting for
him.
His mother was widow, and a very poor
one. She had maintained herself by needle
work till severe spell of sickness had confn
ed her to her bed, and she was unable to do
more.
She told her little son TO sit down by the
fire while she prepared his supper. The fIe
and the supper were very scanty, bat Johnny
knew they were the best she could provide,
and he felt that he would rather share such a
fire and such supper with such mother
than sit at the best filled table with ANYBODY
else, who DID not love him as she did, and
whom he did not love as he did her.
After few moments Of silence, the boy
looked up into his mother's face with more
than usual seriousness
'Nother,' said he, do You think it would
be wrong to ask my new Sunday school teach
er about it on a Sabbath 2
No, my son, not if you have no other OPP
portunlty-and think he would be very
suitable person too; at least | should think,
that he would be interested in getting You a
good place
well, tomorrow is Sunday, and when the
class breaks up | believe will ask him.
/. After reading portion Of Gods holy word
the mother and her little hoy kneeled down
together in their loneliness, and paryed the
Lord most earnestly 10 take care of them
They were very poor, but they knew that God
cared fer the poor. They knew also that God
would do what was best for them. Oh. it's a
sweet thing to the soul, to be able to say sim
cereiy, THY will he DONE
i feel happier now said John, / was so
tired when came in that felt quite cross,
know did-did | look so, mother! q
Tie mothers heart was full, and she gave
her boy one long, affectionate kiss, which was
sweeter TO him than many words.
Next morning was the Sabbath, John
breakfast was more scanty than ever, but he
said not a word about that, fer he saw that
his mother ate very little Of it. Bat one or
two sticks Of wood were left outside the door
where it was kept-and he knew that both
food and fire might all be gone before night.
They had no money to buy any with for sew
eral days.
The Sabbath school bell rang. The sun
was shining bright and clear, but TIE air was
exceedingly cold. The child had no overcoat
and was still wearing part of his summer
clothing. lie was in his seat just as his SUI
perinendent and teacher entered.
no is that little pale faced boy in your
GLASS; asked the superintendent of the tech
er.
His name is Jones, he lives on Stone ST.,
and | must visit him this very week. He is
very regular and d we'll behaved boy
/ should like TO know more about him,
and | will see him after school,
The superintendent did not forget him, and
when the classes broke up seeing him linger
behind the other scholars, went up and took
him by the hand kindly.
You have been here to school several Sab
baths, have you not my boy 2 said he.
Yes, sir, | came just month ago, to-day
Had you ever been 10 school before that
Iimc?'
Yes, sir, before mother was taken sick, !
used to 90 to - street school. but shat was a
great way off, and when mother got better and
you opened this new school she advised me
to come here, as is it SO much nearer.
We'll, did | not see yon yesterday looking
for place on Water street!'
Twas down there, sir, looking for place.
Why did you rot take that place which
the gentlemen had for you, in the large groce-
ry store!'
DO you mean the store where The great cop
per worm stood on the sidewalk! z
Yes
All, sir, didn't know they sold rum there
when frs. went in, and when | saw what
kind of store it was. Was afraid
Have You a father 2
No, sir, father is dead;' said the little boy,
hanging down his head
What did your father do my son-what
was his business!'
Sir, he once kept large store like that,
and the child shuddered when he answered.
why did no. you keep the piece OF gold
money that you found Oh the floor as you was
coming into the stoIe?'
Because it was not mine, and thought
that the gentleman would find the owner soon
er than should
He did my boy-it was my money. Did
you not get place yesterday!'
No, sir, all the places were full, and no.
body knew me-
well, my boy, you may 90 now and tell
your mother that you have place. Come to
me very early in the morning-your teacher
will tell you where live
Johnny went hone with his heart and his
eyes so full that he could hardly see the streets
or anything else as he went along. lie knew
that it would cheer his dear mother very much
and SO il did. His superintendent procured a
good place for him, and they were made com
I Portable and happy.
Surely this story carries It's own moral.
I'm OHIO -