Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-09-30
SHORT PRESIDE STORY ARoy1T
HONESTY.

One evening poor old man and his son a little
boy, sat by the way-side near the gate of an old
town in Germany. The father took out loaf If
bread, which he had bought in the town and
broke it and gave half to the bow.
"Nos SO, father" said the bow 81 sha,, not
eat until after you. You have been working hard
all day, for small wages to support me !; and YOU
must be very hungry, shall wait until YOU are
"You speak kindly, my son." replied the pleas.
ed father, "your love for me does more good than
my food and those dear eyes of yours remind me
OF your dear mother who has left us, who told YOU
to love me as you used TO do; and indeed. my
boy, you have been great strength and comfort to
me; but now have eaten the first morsel to
please you, it is your turn now to eat.',
Thank you, father; but break this piece in
two, and you take little more, you see the loaf
IS not SO large, and you require much more than
| do"
81 shall divide the loaf for you, my boy; but
eat it shall not; have abundance; and let ns
thank God for his great goodness in giving us food
and giving US what is better still, cheerful and
contented hearts. He who gave US living bread
from heaven to nourish our immortal souls. how
should he not give us all other food which is nee
essary to support our immortal bodies %
The father and son thanked God, and then be.
gan to cut the loaf in pieces to begin their frugal
meal. But as they cut one portion Of the loaf,
there fell out pieces of gold OF great value The
little boy gave shout Of joy, and was springing
forward to grasp the unknown treasure when he
was pulled back by his father.
My son, my son - he cried, edo not touch
that money it is not yours''
But whose is it, father, if it is not yours"
II know not as yet to whom it belongs; but
probably it was put here by the baker through
some mistake. We must inquire. RUM
"But father" interrupted the boy, s'you are
poor and needy, and yon have bought the loaf,
aud the baker may tell lie and -"
III will not listen to you, my boy. / bought this
loaf, but did not buy the gold in it. If the baker
sold 1t to me in ignorance, shall not be SO dis
honest as to take The advantage of him; remember
Him who has told US to do to others as we would
have others to do to US. The baker may possibly
cheat US. am poor indeed, but that is no sin
II we share the poverty Of Jesus, Gods own Son /.
Oh let US share his goodness, and trust in
God. We may never be rich but we may always
be honest. We may die of starvation, but Gods
will be done, should we die in doing it! Yes
my boy, trust God and ,oalk in his Daus, and
you shalt neuer be put to shame. Now, run to
the baker, and bring him here; and shall watch
the gold until he comes"
50 the boy ran for the baker. "Brother, work
man, said the old man, s.you have made some
mistake, and almost lost your money!" and he
showed the baker the gold, and told him how it
had been found "Is it thine 2" asked the father,
'if it is take it away" "My father, baker, is
very poor and =" ''Silence, my child put me
not to shame by thy complaints. am glad we
have saved this man from losing his money!
The baker had been gazing alternately upon the
honest father aud his eager boy, and upon the gold
which lay glitterng upon the green turf "Thou
art, indeed, an honest fellow" said the baker !;
'and my neighbor, David the fax dresser, spoke
the truth when he said thou vert the honestest
man in town. Now Ishall tell thee about the
gold. "a stranger came to my shop three days
ago, and gave me that loaf, and told me to sell it
cheaply or give it away to the honestest poor man
in the city. told David to send thee to me as
customer, this morning. As thou would not take
the loaffor nothing sold it to thee, as thou know
est, for the last pence in thy purse and the loaf
with all thy treasure, and certes, it is not small
ls thine, and God grant you blessing with it,"
The poor father bent his head to the ground, while
the tears fell from his eyes. His boy ran and
put his hands upon his neck, and said, 81 shall
always like you father, trust God, and do what is
right; am sure it will never put us to shame. p
Ed. Christian Magazine.