The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-06-15
Translated from the German for the N. Y. Organ.
Providence Prcspers Honesty.
BY MRS ST. SIMON.


Richter in Dauntzis and asked the book keep
er for aims. "You will get nothing here,
grumbled the man, without raising his head
from his book, be OFF,
Weeping bitterly, the boy giided towards
the door at the moment that Herr Richter en-
tered.
b "What is the matter hcres?' he asked turn
ing to the book keeper
ga worthless begear-boy," was the mans an
swcr, and he scarcely looked up from his
~crk.
I'm the meanwhile, Herr Richter glanced to-
wards the boy, and remarked that, when close
TO the door, he picked up something from the
ground. "Hal my little lad, what is that you
picked ups no cried The weeping boy turn
cd, and showed him needle.
"And what will you do with itl' asked the
other.
"My jacket has holes" in it was the answer.
II will sew up the big ones
"Herr Richter was pleased with this reply,
and still more with the boys innocent, hand
some face. "But are you not ashamed" he
said, in kind though serious tone, you, so
young and hearty, to beg? Can you not work.
"Ah, my dear sir, replied the boy, II do not
know how, and I am to little yet to thresh or
fell wood. My father died three weeks ago.
and my poor mother and little brothers have
eaten nothing these two days. Then ran out
in anguish and begged for aims. But alas!
single peasant only gavo me yesterday piece
of bread; since then have not eaten a NOR
s.'
IL is quite customary for beggars by trade
TO ccntriye tales like this, and this hardens
many heart against the claims of genuine
want But this time the merchant trusted the
boys honest face. He thrust his hand into
his pocket, drew forth piece of money, and
eaid:
"There is half dollar 60 to the bakers
and with half the money buy for YOURSELF |
your mother, and your brothers, but bring back
the other half TO me-
The boy took the money and ran joyfully |
away.
Swell" said the surly book-keeper, che will |
laugh in his sleeve, and never coae back |
again"
"Who knows replied Herr Richter. And |
as he spoke he behold the boy returning, run
ung quickly, with large loaf of black bread
in one hand and some money in the other.
''There good sir,'t he cried, almost breath |
less, 'there is the rest of the money! Then, |
being very hungry, he begged at once for
knife, to cut off piece of the bread. The
book keeper reached him in silence his pocket |
knife.
The lad cut off a slice in great haste, and |
was about to bite upon it, But suddenly he |
bethought himself, laid the bread aside and |
folding his hands, rehearsel a silent prayer
Then nc fell 10 his meal with hearty appe-
tite.
The merchant was moved by the boys unaf-
fecting piety. lie inquired after his family
and home, and learned from his simple narra-
live that his father had lived in village, about
four miles distant from Dantzc, where he
owned a small house and farm. But his hpuse
had been burned to the ground and much
sickness in his family had compelled him to
sell his farm. He had then hired himself out
10 a rich neighbor, but before three weeks were
at end he died, broken down by grief and |
excessive toll. And now his mother, whom
sorrow had thrown upon o bed of sickness, was
with her four young children, suffering the bit
terest poverty He, the eldest, had resolved to
seek for assistance, and had gone at first from
village to village, then had struck into the high
road, and at last, having begged every where in
vain, had come to Dantzis.
The merchants heart was touched. He had
but one child, aud the boy appeared to him os
a craft at sight, which Providence had drawn
upon him test of his gratitude. "Listen, my
SOUL he began, shave you then really wish
to Learnt
'Dh, yes; have indeedl' cried the boy al
have read the catecism already and should
have a great deal more, but at home had al
ways my little brother to carry, for mother was
sick in bed
Herr Richter suddenly formed his reselu-
tion.
"Wen, them" he said, "If YOU are so good,
and honest, and Industrious will take care of
you. You shall learn, have meat and drink
and clothing, and in time earn something be-
SIDES Then you can support your mother
and brothers also"
The boys eyes flashed with Joy. But in a
moment he cast them to the ground again,
and said sadly, "My mother all this while has
nothing te eat" At this instant, as if sent by
Providence, an inhabitant of the boys native
village entered Herr Richters house. This
man confirmed the lads story, and willingly
consented to carry the mother tidings of her
son Gottieb, and food and small sum of mon
ey from the merchant. AT the same time
Herr Richter directed his book-keeper to write
letter to his pastor of the village, commend
ing tho widow co his care, with additional
sum enclosed for the poor family, and promi-
sing further assistance
As soon as this was done, Herr Richter at
once furnished the boy with decent clothes,
and at noon led him to bis wife, whom he ac-
curately informed of little Gottlieb's story and
of tho plans which he had formed for him.
The good woman readily promised her best as
sistance in the latter, and she Faithfully kept
her word. 9t9
During the next four years, Gottlieb attend
cd the schools of the great commercial city; ,
then his faithful foster-father took him into
his countiDg-room, in order 10 educate him for
business. Here, as well as there, at the wri-
ting-desk as on the school-bench the rpening
youth distinguished himself, not only by his {
natural capacity, but by his faithful industry
with which he exercised it. With all this his
heart retained its native innocence OF his ,
weekly allowance, he sent the alfregularly to
ms mother until she died. after sorvived two {
OF ms brothers. She had passed the last years
of life, not in wealth it is true, but, by tho aid
of the noble Richter and Of her faithful SON. i'm
q condition above want
After the death Of his beloved mother. there
was no dear friend left to Gotslieb in the world
except his benefsctor. Ou. ofIovc for him he {