Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-02-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
From The Youths Magazine.
The Benevolent Nan.

Of the newspapers, of a poor lad having pick
I'd up in the street, the well filled pocket
book Of a wealthy merchant, and on restoring
it 10 him, received the pallry sum of fifty
cents on. first feeling was that it was a very
mean act, but on reflection we thought the
individual might be governed by higher mo-
lives than we gave him credit for, and that
his generosity was of a deeper and truer kind,
perhaps, than that which springs from mo-
mentary impulse. Whether we were cor
rect or not in the case referred to, we know
not but the following story was suggested
TO us by the incident, which we hope may
make some of our young friends less hasty
and severe in forming theii opinions of an
others character, from first impressions:
"Mo,her, I think Mr.. Morrison is a very
mean man. said Caroline Guilford, after a
long silence.
''Indeed!' replied Mrs. Guilford, sand is
this the result of your meditdtiOns the last
half hour?'
"Yes, mother. it is" answered Caroline,
sand really it makes me unhappy TO be COM
PEELED to say so. But, | think he has behav-
ed very meanly."
Though you think you are right in your
Judgment, without Doubt" said her mother,
IL hope you will not be compelled to express
an opinion so unfdvorabIe. But what proofs
of his neanness have come to your knowl-
edge lately | should be sorry not to be
able TO convince you that you were mista-
KEN"
Il am as anxious to be convinced, mother.
as you can be to convince me that ! mn in
error, said Caroline. II always loved Mr..
Morrison; AID his dear little daughter Rose
is my most intimate friend and besides, he
has always seemed "A sort Of paragon of good
ness and generosity just such a man as ]
loved to think my dear papa was. am
very, very sorry. 1t is a very painful thing
TO find oneself deceived in this manner in a
person we have loved and honored, don't you
think so, mother?
''Most certainly | do" replied Mrs. Gull
ford, "dnd | hope we shall find the error to
be in your judgment and not in the character
of our friend. You say you loved him and
thought him generous. Had you any reason
for thinking him generousl"
"Why you know, mother, he is always
giving Rose pretty presents" replied Caro-
line; buying her new dresses and toys but
that is no proof Of generosity, l suppose, as
she is his only child, and he is SO very rich
and he has given you and me many beau
tiful Newly Year gifts. Indeed / think it must
he for that reason that | have always thought
him so very generous, because he is always
giving; but then, mother, he is rich, we
mustn't forget that. If he was poor and yet
giving away these fine things-,"
81 should say he did very wrong" said
her mother, land shoe'd feel very unwilling,
for my own part, 10 receive them."~
"Indeed /! mother" exclaimed Caroline,
self in order TO be able to give pleasure to
his friends, would you reject his gifts!
am sure, then, YOU would not be generous,
for you know the generous Giver is made
more happy by giving than the receiver
consequently you would deprive him of the
enjoyment of selt-denial for your sake"
"But let me ask you. Caroline, why | de-
rive pleasure from receiving presents from
any onel" inquired her mothel.
why mama," replied Caroline, "every
body likes to possess pretty things. Besides
gifts are tokens Of affection and remembrance
they remind us Of friends"
'And do not simple, inexpensive gifts an
swer The purpose Of remembrance as well al
costly onesl" asked Mrs. Guiliord.
= "Certainly they do" replied Caroline
'but one likes to possess beautiful things
and it enhances ones enjoyment Of them, t
, have them associated In ones mind will
those we love-and-in short-I think, me
Their, you can understand me better than
can explain myself"
POSSIBLY | cam" replied her mother, "bu
suppose Mr.. Morrison to be a poor man in
stead of "A rich one, would it add to my hap
piness in receiving a token of affection from
him, that had cost a good deal of money!"
~ dom know that it would, but ! thin
there is much 10 be said on both sides, repli
ed Caroline, (which we must discuss som
u other time. Do you consider Mr.. Morriso
a generous man yuurselfl
IL certainly do" replied Mrs. GuiIford
shut for very different reasons from yourself
A selfish man might make as many splendi
/ presents. but no one who was not really di:
interested and generous would be constant
y doing the acts Of kindness and benevolenc
tina, he does. But | wish you to look int
the matter yourself, and not decide until yo
are convinced beyond a doubt. 1t is highl
necessary that you should discriminate an
A Judge impartiaIly, since | have observed f
some time past, that you are very free in e,
pressing your opinions. Car you recolle,
any generous actions of Mr.. Morrison's. b.
o sides the giving handsome presentsl Dot
u he seek out the destitute, the sick, the vi
: happy, and befriend theml Is there any OF
or two or more acts Of his life which won
lead you to think he made the example
Jesus his guide; who, although he had
silver or gold to bestow, went about doir
!; good and was the greatest benefactor to ma
st kind the world ever knew"
"Why yes, MOTHER" replied Caroline,
think | can reveal one good and generous a
ton Of his, last winter; for you recollect "
dow Wilson told US with tears of his kin
ness to her and her son-how he went eve
day to see her while her son lay sick in be-
and dug her paths for her, and chopped woo
y. with his wi hands and gave her a COW Ne
IN Years day and, now ! think of it, speakir
Of cows. reminds me Of another kind actio
Little Mary Brown fold me that he bong
her mothers COW which had to be sold
Is pay the rent, and then gave it back to h
again, which was the sam as paying the re
and giving her a COW b~esides-and, indeed
can think Of a good many very kind ,hinf