The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-02-13

heart the girl began the children's Satur-
day night ablutions, while her mother went
out to make the necessary purchases of
food; and when, on the return of the latter,
the hungry little ones were regaled with
large peace of bread, trouble seemed for
while forgotten. However, Bessie, when
she had, as she expressed it, "cleaned all
up" was obliged to depart; and after a
fearful adieu, she was once more hurrying
through the streets, which she had so late
ly traversed with such different feelings
"Boastnotthyselfofto "shemused
asshe reached her abode. "We may we'll
always remember that; we little thought |
last week when we were so pleased about
the work what trouble it would bring"
Sunday morning came, and brought the
sound of pleasant bells; but to Bessie it
differed from other mornings only so far
as her own thoughts made a Sabbath
around her, for she could not go out
until the evening; and she had even more
to do on that day than on the other six,
especially as her mistress, who rarely at
tended church herself, was always at hand
to find fault. Many were the sad thoughts
she bestowed on her mothers troubles
during the day; and when at last she was
able to set out for church under strict in
functions to return Immediately on the
close of the service, she was depressed in
spirits more than she had ever before felt
in her life.
The service came to close, and Bes-
sic in quiet mind left the church, and
slowly and thoughtfhlly walked home
wards She was one of the last who cane
out; and as she walked across the wide
churchyard to the least frequented gate,
she struck her foot against something which
Welded to her step and returned rafting
sound. She stopped to pick up the object,
and it proved a well-flled purse; and
bright beads. and tasses glttered in the
half light of an autumn evening, and its
weight and rotundity showed it we'll sup
Piled. Bessie stood positively breathless
for moment in the excess Of her Joy; she
felt dizzyness in her head, and for mo-
ment all surrounding objects seemed to
swim before her; then clasping her hands
in mute aspiration Of thankfulness. she
recovered full possession of her faculties,
) and began to examine the treasure
One, two, three, four, i've, six seyen!'
she counted--aseven poundaI Oh. to thi1l
of mother, how delighted she will bel
Why. this will pay all and buy | can't tel
what besides. Oh how happy | ami
And what is this!" she continued, as she
took from the other end roll Of soft paper
, "Why these must be bank notes, like thai
, misses gave change for once; why they
, must be worth can't tell how much
What shall we do with SO much money!
t I'll read what's on these notes, however,
So approaching lamp just Inside the gate
she with some difficulty deciphered the
amounts of the notes, of which two were
for fifty pounds, the other two respectively
: for fve-and-twenty. sits quite for
tune" she murmured in low, reverentia
r tone, as she tried to grasp the idea Of Sc
many pounds. "What a happy thing 70
me. and how sad for the person that los
: i'll" Here the current of Bessie's raptur
Gus thoughts received sudden check; th'
: smile faded from her lips, and she remain
: ed silently looking on the pretty purse witt
t perplexity amounting to distress. "Ol
3 me, but it is not mine!" she continued, he
t thoughts finding vent in a half-articulatc
| form. "This belongs to somebody, whc
: is as sorry to lose it as | am pleased tt
}, find it. Oh, what must | do! wish
e had never seen it. Must give it up jus
r when we want it so? And when it was ly
r ing in my way, and nobody near wh'
: could have dropped it."
!, Poor Bessie! the struggles between con
fl science and want was very severe. Sh
Q tried hard for little while to convince her
h self that she had a right to what she ha
e found on highway, but her principle
W were too strongto allow OF such self-decep
| ton; and besides, in testing the matter b
is the golden rule, she felt that if she ha
Il dropped her two shillings on the previou
IT night, she should have been very indig
Il nant with any finder claiming right t
IS them. No, have no business with it, In
deed" she inurrnured, as the tears of dis
,r appointment started to her eyes. "Bu
IS however, surely may keep just one or tw
u of these pounds?-the person who lost tn
,r must be very rich, and would never mis-
ut them; surely may have just two Poune
l- for finding it, and that would put poo
l. mother out of trouble! Just at this m,
ment those words, which she had late
ut heard, darted into her mind like gleal
u of light" "Thou God, seest mel! go
Is what am thinking off, she exclaimed
frightened by her own thoughts; 'isn't
SO all just one as stealing! Let me put tn
re out of my sight as soon as can, lest
ID should be too much tempted; wont kee
- it an hour" So, resolutely concealin
to the temptation, Bessie set off at her qulcal
IL est pace to the police station, where 81
,a resolved to deposit the money in1mediat
e. ly, for the twotold purpose OF securir
IN Observation-Disclosures, and OF aitordif
at the owner the best opportunity Tor recoye
m ing the lost property When she tod D.