The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-07-15
ing begged every where in vain. had com

had but one child, and the boy appeared /,
him draft at sight, which Providence Had
drawn upon him as test Of bis gratitude
Listen, my son. he began, have you then,
renly a wish to learn?
'Oh, yes; have indeed!' cried tho boy
4 have read the catechism already, and |
should know a great deal more. but al
home bad always my little brother to
carry. for mother WAS sick in bed
Herr Richter suddenly formed bis reso.
luton.
well, then,' he said, 'if yon are good.
and honest, and industrious, will take
care Of you. You shall learn, have meal
and drink. md clothing, and ia time earn
something besides. Then YOU can sup
port Your mother and brothers also
The ho,'s eyes flashed with joy But il
moment be cast them to the ground
again, and said sadly, NV mother all this
while has nothing to eat
AT this instant. az if sent by Providence
an inhabitaat Of the boys native village
entered Herr Rich,er's house. This man
confirmed the lads story, and Willingly
consented to carry the mother tidings Of
her son Gottieb, and food aud small sum
of money from the merchant. AT the same
time Herr Richter directed his book keeper
to write letter to The pastor Of the village,
|commending the widow to his care, with
an additional sum enclosed for the poor
family. and promising further assistance.
As soon as this was done, Herr Richter
far hod tbn Lpu Nth fneert
clothes. and at noon led him to his wife,
whom be accurately informed of little Got
lieb's story. and of the plans which he had
formed Tor him. The good woman readily
promised her best assistance in the latter,
and she faithfully kept her word.
During the next four years, Go,tlleb at
tended the schools Of the gres, commercial
city; then his faithful ioster-faihef toek
him into his couning-room, in order to ed
acate him for business. Here, as we'll as
there. at the writing desk as ON the school
bench, the ripening youth distinguished
himself. not only by his natural capacity,
but by the faithful industry with which he
exercised it. With all this, his heart re-
tanned its native innocence. Ofhis week
" allowance, he sent the half regularly to
his mother, until she died, after having
survived two Of his brothers She had
passed The last years of her life, not in
wealth, it is true, but by the aid of the no
| BILE Richter and Of her faithful son, in a
condition above want.
| After the death Of his beloved mother.
there was no dear friend left TO Gotteib in
the world, except bis henefactor. Out of
love for him he became an active, Jealous
merchant, lie hegan by APPLYING the 81
pcrnuity Of his allowance, which he could
now dispose Of al his pleasure, 10 'rade
in Hamburg qn,ls. When by care and
prudence. he had gained about one hun
dred and twenty dollars, it happened thai
he found in his native village a considers
hIe quantity of hemp and fax, which wa
very good, and still to be had at reasons-
lie price. He asked his fostortather t.
advance him two hundred dollars, which
the latter did with great readiness. Aud
| The business prospered so well. that IN ihH
third year Of his clerkship, Gn,ieh bad
reudy acquired the sum of five hnndra6
dollars. Without giving up his trade ~
fax. be now traficked also ia linen goods.
and the two combined. made him in a con
pie of .ears, about thousand dollars rich
| er.
This happened during the customars
FIVE Years ot, cerkship, At The end of ihl,
period Gottlieb continued to serve his ben
e'actor five wears more. with industry,
skill, aud fidelity; then he took the place Of
the book keeper, who died about this time,
and three yenrs afterwards he was taken
by Herr Richter as partner into his bust
ness. with third part Of the profits.
Bul it was not Gods will that this pleas
an, partnership should be of long duration
An insidious disease cast Herr Richter up
on bed Of sickness, and kept him cnniin
ed to his couch All that love and graft
tnde could suggest, GottIieb now did to re
pay his benefaclor's kindness. Redoub-
ling his exertions, he became the soul oil
the whole business, and still he watched
long nights at the old mans bedside, with
hi. grieving wife, until. in the sixty fifth
wear Of his life, Herr Richter closed his
eyes in death.
Before his decease, he placed the hand
of his only daughter, sweet girl oftwo-
and-twcnty wears, in ,ha, Of his beloved
foster-son. lie had long looked upon them
both as bis children They understood
him; they loved each other; and in silence,
vet afec,ionately and earnestly, they sol
emnized their betrothal at the bedside Of
their dying father.
In the year 1923, ten years after Herr
Rich,sr's death, the house Of Go,tlieb Bern
late Samuel Richter, was one Of the most
respectable in all Dan'Zic. Il owned three
large ships, employed in navigating the
Baltic and North Seas, and the care o.
Providence seemed especially to watch
over the interests of the worthy owner; for
worthy he remained in his prosperity. lie
honored his mo,herinlaw like son, and
cherished her declining age with the ten
derest affection, until, in her two andsev
en,ie,h year, she died ID bis arms.
As his own marriage proved chlldless
} he took the oldest son Of each of his two re
naming brothers, now substantial farmers
into his house, and destined them to he h''
heirs. But in order to confirm them II
their humility, he often showed them 'h'
needle, which had proved such source