Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-08-31
NUMBER %.
4 story for BOYS.

10 every one said widow freeman to her son
George when he left the charity school to SO
as errand boy to q respectable shoemaker in
the neighboring town. aRemeniber that the
eyes of the Lord are in every place, behoiding
the evil and the good; and if you seek to please
him in all your ways, you may humbly expect
his blessing wherever you 90. But if you
should take to bad courses, you will break
your poor mothers heart, and bring down her
gray hairs with sorrow to the grave
George felt something rising in his throat
which prevented his speaking and the tears
came into his eyes; but he thought It would
be unmanly to cry 50 giving his mother a
hearty kiss, he nodded good bye, and ran down
/ the lane as fast as he could; while the good
woman continued to stand by her cottage door,
watching him till he was quite out Of sight,
praying that the God Of the fatIerlessand the
widow would protect her darling boy and keep
him from all the snares of sin.
After a week or two it was seen that George
was likely to do well in his new place He
Remembered what he vas told and did as be
was bid; be gave his mind to falfl the duties
required from him, and would make no nc
quaintance with the idle boys who were play
ing aboutthe streets, and sought TO persuade
him to loiter on his errands. His master
praised his good memory and his mistress IL
ked him for his civility and readiness to oblige.
Every night he went home to his mothers cot
tage. 1t was two miles to walk, but George
did not mind that, he was young and healthy.
and strong; and If be was sometimes tired with
running about all day, he always forgot his
WEAKNESS when be saw his mother standing to
look out for him at the cottage door, On Sat
urday nights he did not come home until
! 10 O'clock; but then he brought his wages IN
his pocket; and half-a-crown week was q
great sum to the poor widow, who had to work
hard for her living. Now, that she bad no
longer her boys entire maintenance 10 pro-
vide for,she was able to procure many comforts
which she greatly needed and happily and
thankfully were their Sabbaths spent in prais-
ing God for earthly blessings, and seeking the
richer gifts of his Holy Spirit to fit them for
his rest above.
4 George had been in bis place nearly twelve
4 months, and his obedience to his mothers ad-
4 vice had secured for him an excellant charac-
ter as an honest and faithful servant One
evening he was sent bv bis mistress to pur-
chase various articles at a grocers shop IN the
next street. for which he was TO pay, and re-
ceive sixpencs change. He was served by
the grocer himself, but had scarcely left the
shop, when he perceived by the bright light
in the window that halEsoyereign had been
given to him II mistake for the sixpence-
Here was ar opportunity for dishonest boy
} to have committed theft without much pro-
liability Of being found outl But / do not
suppose that the though; Of such q wicked
action once entered Georges head. He direct
4 " turned back into thesshop and simply say
ing. "You have made mistake, sir, be laid
the half-sovereign upon the counter, and stood
waiting for bis proper change
The grocer looked with smile in Georges
honest face, and after a moments thought, Ia
king two sixpenees from the drawer, inquired
Eif he was not in the employ Of Mr. Barnes, the
shoemaker round the corner. On hearing
Georges reply. said heshould inform bis mas
ter of his good conduct, and giving the six
pence that was due, with another for himself
las tokenof appreciation, he told him to pfac-
tice the same integrity through life, and he
} need not fear finding friends George felt
grateful, both for the gift and the advice and
perhaps he betrayed little self-gratifeation
when relating the matter to his mother, for she
Thought it needed to warn him against trust
ling in bis own strength, reminding him that
he had a sinful heart, which nothing but Di-
vine grace could restrain from the way Of evil
4 And she entreated him to read the Bible, With
constant prayer for his Savior's mercy and
assistance, since they are safe whom He keeps,
but there is help in none beside.
The next morning, when he arrived at the
shop, early asitwas, George found Mr. Brown
the grocer standing by talking to his master al
! the door. He made his bow, and was passing
on, but Mr.. Brown put his hand upon his shoul-
J der, and his master, bidding him stop, asked
him if bis mother would object to his taking
: another place. George turned red and then
white, whenhe heard this question He fear
ed that his master was displeased with him,
J and all the consequences of being dismissed
q rushed upon his mind But before he could
: reply, MIR Brown told him that be had come
to the determination of taking him as an app
r prentice, if his mother would consent and bis
present master was wiling 10 give him up
: The truth was that the grocer, having been
| lately defrauded TO large amount by one of
the persons in his employment, was willing to
r set aside all other considerations for the sake
of obtaining a really honest boy /; and as look
ing out for lad of this description at the very
5 time when Georges conduct with regard to
t the half-sovereign called forth bis notice and
commentator.
i Mr. Barnes the shoemaker though sorry to
lose his steady errand boy. was too much his
friend to stand in the way Of his promotion; !;
and as there could be no doubt that widow
Freeman would thankfully give her consentit
was. soon. settled that George should go to his
new master as soon as a successor could be
+, met with for his present place. How the hap
: py boy got home that night he could scarcely
! tell He hardly allowed himself time to take
breath; and when he saw his mother waiting
: at the cottage door. it seemed to give wings to
his feet What joy and gratitude there was
felt under that humble roof when his tidings
were told no words of mine can express: and
, twas with full heart that they both kneeled
down before retiring 10 rest, to give thanks to
God for his goodness in thus providing for
their wants. and rising up friends for the time
to come.
George has now been three years in the fam.
y Of Mr.. Brown and the worthy grocer has
BEEN heard to say that he could trust him with
5 untold gold. Reader, let this example encour-
age you to be strictly honestin all your deal
II -.