The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-23

Dssldes makipg good wnges Tor, bis labor, Sc
onen Got tpfesenes Of meal and Rour from tIlose
VINO employed him. ~ g =.
.-Meii, g thssbreak fast. table, after DEACON
~, aso USED tne blessings and given Bald.
get TO work as soon as psssible, something was
said about the news. s. 3 : " -
Re Issdppose you have heard about INV lm;..
fortune, said Mr.. Baldwin. -
a.You, ..Y misfOrtdnei.
.'Why. what has happened to you !. asked
the deacon. ~slt ,>-s.>
i az thought everybody had heard Of It.,
replied Baldwin. You see, the other night.
when Mr.. Woody paid me, he gave me a
~ started, and felt the blood forsake my
cheeks. All eyes were fixed npon Baldwin,
however, 50 my trouble was not observed. 81
'sA sovereign said Baldwin-sfhe first one
ever had in my life; and il seemed to me that
if should put il in my pocket, like cent or
half dollar, should lose it. So,' like goose,
wrapped il in piece of paper, and slowed il
in my coat pocket. where | thought il was safe.
| never did a more foolish thing. I must have
lost the coin in taking out my handkerchief; and
| the paper would prevent It's making any noise
| as it fell. discovered my loss when 1 got
| home, and went back to look for il; but sorie-
body must have picked il up.' ns
II felt like sinking through the floor. g
al cent know replied the poor man, shsk-
ever he Is; and hope his conscience wont
trouble him more than the money is worth;
| though Heaven knows want my honest earn
ings.'
"This was too much for me. The allusion
to my conscience brought the gold ont Of my
pocket. i resolved to make q clean breast of
u, and be honest, in spite of poverty and shame.
SO held the gold in my trembling hand, and
said,
"Is this yours, Mr.. Baldwin, .as
"My voice was SO faint that he did not hear
me. So | repeated my question in a more
courageous tone. All eyes were turned upon
me in ast0nshment and the deacon demanded
where aud when had found the gold.
II burst into tears, and confessed every
thing. expected the deacon would whip me
TO death. But he patted my head, and said,
more kindly than was his wont;
| "Don't cry about it, William. You are an
honest boy, If you did come near falling into
temptation. Always be honest, my son; and,
you do not grow rich, you will be happy
with clear conscience
| "But cried stll-for JOY. laughed, too,
the deacon had so touched my heart. Ofwhat
load was relieved! felt then that honesty
was the best policy.
| "As for Baldwin, he declared that should
have half the money. for finding it; but wish
ed to keep clear of the troublesome stuff for
time, and did. l would not touch his offer !;
and never regretted it, boy as was.
SWELL, was the deacon's favorite after
this. He was very kind to me, and trusted me
in every thing. ! was carefully not to deceive
him; preserved the strictest candor and good
faith; and that has made me what | am
When he died, he willed me five hundred dol
lars with which / came here and bought new
lands, which are now worth great many
sovereigns. But this has nothing to do with
my story. That is told; and all have to add
is, | have never regretted clearing my con.
science Of poor Job Baldwin's sovereign"