The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-08
From the Friend of Youth.
LITTLE PETER, THE STOLEN BOY

Start up the fire, Pete, and put on the tea
kettle for mother is so tired" said poor col
orcd woman known to some of the inhabitants
of B by the name of Polly, as she entered
her humble home after a hard days work for
a rich white family
Have you all been good today" she ask
cd, as she seated herself on low chair, and
three little children, younger than the boy who
was busy with the fire. gathered around her.
eyes mother, all good, y was the general an
swer.
" How glad am to hear it for I'm always
troubled about you when Pm gone SO long, and
could hardly bear it if you wern't 80 trusty.
Peter, hope you'll always be good to mother
6" will promptly replied the boy sand
when Pm large enough to drive horses as
father did, you won't have to work so hard
wash, wash, oil day, till you're so tired. Coach
men have good wages, and shall save all
mine for you. But mother, one Of those men
you washed for at the hotel has been here for
Inc to 90 with them, as waiter-boy, for little
while, up the Lakes--to black their boots, take
care of their baggage, and do such things
They'll give me four dollars a month
shouldn't have much work and should have q
fine time on the steamboats, Bat ! dldD't
much think you could spare me-could you
motheriN
"Whod take care of the children should
miss you more than | can tell When is the
man coming again"
ain the morning, he said He wanted you
10 be at home then. They start on Wednes-
day Could you get me ready 80 soon?"
There amt much toget ready. But, Peter,
won't you be honesick, without mother and
the children You never went away from
homeo
al don't know about being home-sick but
should like to 70 on the fine steamboats, cut
ting through the water, the foam flying the
flags streaming, and at night the long trail of
fre-sparks az we went--wouIdn it be fine ?"
Little Peter, the oldest child of the wash
woman Polly, was now about twelve years old
he was fine, intelligent lad, considering his
opportunities, which, ike those of most coored
children, were very limited He had seldom
been to school; for the colored school was a
long way of, across the town--too fur for him
to go to alone when he was small, and there
was no one to 20 with him; and, though per-
mitted by their parents to play with all the
white boys in the neighborhood he was not
permitted to sit on the same bench with them,
and learn to read Now that he was larger,
and more capable, he could not be spared the
time for school, he was able to do 30 much
to help his poor hard-working mother he
could pick up and break her wood, and draw
water for the washing she took in; he could
carry her baskets of clothes, and make her
little purchases and, more than all, he was so
good with the younger chdren-satisfying
their little wants, quoting their complaints,
and making them comfortable and happy, one
could hardly tell how; for he had very few
play things or sugar-pums to offer them but
his good nature and loving heart were far bet
ter than toy or sugar plum: they gave new
charm 10 the rude block 10 often piled, and
added sweetness to the coarse bread Of poverty.
The next day, Peter looked anxiously for the
promised visit Of the gentleman. His mother
was quiet and thoughtful.
"Shall you let me goi" at length asked
Peter.
4 can't say no 10 YOU you've been so good
a boy, and have never been away from home.
We need the money, too now we are so poor
but You don't know how hard it is! never
could think Of your leaving me, since your
father died. ] wonder what kind of men they
are They paid Inc well for the work--that
looks right"
Jast then the gentleman appeared at the
door. His proposal was made and accepted,
and arrangements for the journey were soon in
progress. The boy, full of high hopes, and elated
with the idea of the novelties before him, tried
TO picture them to his little sisters and made
them share his pleasure by promises Of fine
things he would bring them. At night, he
could hardly sleep for excitement; and when
the morning dawned, he was up and dressed
betmes, and ready for his departure. Now,
when he came to give the last kiss TO his sis
ters and met their sober little faces, the bright
scenes he had been picturing ali vanished
When his mothers warm tears fell on his
cheek, his own tears burst forth and when she
said, Good bye, my son, be a good boy, as you
have always been take care Of yourself; re-
member that depend ON you--you are all the
boy have" he could not speak IL was hard
then, 10 leave those he loved But he did not
pause, and was soon Mt the hotel where he met
his employers, and followed them 10 the boat
When the noble vessel put Of from the shore,
there was q proud feeling in his breast, quite
unlike what he had sometimes felt when he
had watched her from the wharf and longcd
TO be on board Of her. Still the vision of his
mothers fearful face and his saddened little
sisters would come before him.
We need not follow Peter, M he accompa-
MED his employers from place to place, as their
business, the desperate business OF gambling
led them The novelties Of travelling soon
wore ~; and with sinking hopeless feeling