Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-15

the two-fold purpose Of securing herself against
temptation, and of affordlng the owner the best
opportunity for recovering the lost property
When she told her erand to the officer at the
station he looked at her from head to foot with
some surprise.
$50 you didn't think Of keeping it yourself?"
he asked as he took the purse.
"Yes, sir, did for minute, for we want it
bad enough" replied Bessie, with an ingenious
blush, but was kept from it, thank God There
is deal of money there sir will you please to
count it, that you may know when it's owned,
that took none?"
The officer counted it accordingly, and gave
her receipt for the amount, taking down he.
address at the same time, which she thought
nothing about, then, with thankful, happy heart
and clear conscience, she hkgtened hcrre..
Frequently during the labors Of the next day,
Bessie wondered whether the owner of the
purse had regained it, and pleased herself in i'm
agining the pleasure its recovery must have
caused. Then her thoughts sadly turned to her
poor mother, and she would speculate on the
possibility of her receiving reward. Some one
she knew had been rewarded with ten shillings
for finding five pound note; perhaps she might
have pound given her, however, she sedulous
y endeavored to withdraw her thoughts from
the subject, and occupied them in the attempt
to devise somc means Of earning little money
in the family somehow, to carry them through
this terrible crisis. So passed Monday and
Tuesday was passing in similar manner
Bessie was busily washing her kitchen floor -
talking to amuse the baby, who was tied on q
chair IN one corner Of it, and thinking over a
brilliant plan which mad just occurred to her, Of
proposing one of her brothers as errand boy to
the grocer round the corner, when her mistress
looked in and sharply said some one wanted lc
speak to her. In great haste and surprise, Bes,
sic started up, and as quickly as possible wiped
her wet hands, threw off her apron, settled he
gown and cap, and hurried into shop, where she
found middle aged gentleman, of very pleas
ant demeanor, leaning carelessly against the
counter. He turned as she entered, and ad
vanced step as she curtseyed and looked as il
to enquire the object of his visit.
"Your name is Elizabeth Abbot, is it not p
he asked
"Yes, sir" was Bessies reply.
"You found purse on Sunday night, be
eve.
"Yes, sir" she replied, co!oring as she spoke
did it belong to you sir? Did you get it >?
hope it was all right sir! got note of til
money at the police" continued Bessie speakin
rapidly, as if half frightened for just then sf
only remembered the possibility Of some mo-
fs hAint- MISSING wb'Nh miGht be demandel
ooh yes, all was right" returned the gentl
=. man. 81 only came to see what made you +
/ turn my purse SO honestly and quickly. We
. you not in want Of money!"
"Oh, indeed sir, yes ?" she emphatically r
! piled as tears filled her eyes; but that mon'
/. was not OURS"
! "Perhaps you were afraid to keep it, lest
3 should be discovered? ?" continued her interrog
!, tor looking earnestly at her, as deep crims'
= flush rose even to her forehead.
a She raised her eyes to his, boldly, though mo
: estly, as she answered in all the frmness
: truth" Sir, never thought Of that. But
; would not be so miserable as theft would ma
f me, for as much again as there is in your purs
# sir"
+, "That is well, that is WE'LL" quietly repli
the gentleman, with smile. Nov you 81
e you want money very much: came here to
If fer you a reward for the return OF my purse.
5 How much do you wish me to give you?"
= "Oh, sir" exclaimed poor Bessie In trar
9 port of delight clasping her hands" oh, thai
Il you, thank you Two pounds, sir, if y
k could be so kind, would make us all hap
}; again |"
b. "It would not be buying happiness very DEF
e w." answered the stranger but let me he
- what you would do with the two pounds"
II Accordingly, Bessie related her simple lit
D. history as the reader knows it. At its concusl
le her attentive listener smiled kindly. "You {
of good GIRL Bessie" he said. "Well, the
he ward shall give you is twenty pounds inste
- of two. determined upon this if were sal
w fed with your answers"
of Bessie was speechless in grateful astonishme
e. eyes, it is little fortune for you," said
re gentleman, answering her look. "You will
c. course, relieve your mother from her trouble, q
er YOU had better put the rest into the savings ba
he and try to add little to it, as provision in c.
s. of need" So saying the gentleman produ'
n the identical beaded purse, counted tive
u pounds into Bessie's hand, who could only Il
is her thanks and then he went, and Bessie h
h, red up to her little room to give vent to
- grateful happiness, thinking how different wo
nd have been her feelings had she otherwise ac
ar | need not make my story longer by desc
ing the joy excited by her next visit to her he
ce how the debt was paid-and how one po
or more was devoted to the purchase of sundry
a tices OF comfort and decency, (Gmongst wi
er Bessie's bonnet was not forgotten and how
If remaining pounds were safely deposited. b
by must not omit to add, that the gentleman VIII
ed acquaintance Bessie had so happily made,
he not forget her, though his residence was m
ID miles distant from hers, she was shortly ia
no into his family as nurse, and which post she
he led in comfort and responsibility for many W
- carefully impressing upon the minds of
or young charges the same principles which
his erned her own.
i A PRACTICAL joke generally concludes
~, @ festivities of Welsh wedding, which
''' one time led to a melancholy result.
us The afternoon of wedding-day, what