Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-09-15
miscellaneous.
THE WAY TO FORTUNE:
Or, 1t is Better to Work than TO Beg,

Let no poor boy after reading the following
interesting fact, ever despair of making a
comfortable living:
gentleman was once walking down the
streets of P, when beggar loudly
craved for few coppers for a nights lodg
ing The gentleman looked earnestly at the
poor man and enquircd
Why do you not work ? you should be
ashamed of begging
Oh sir do not know where to get en-
ploymert,
Nonsense ? replied the gentleman you can
work if you will. Now listen to me- was
once beggar like you. A gentleman gave
me crown piece; aud said to me, work aud
don't beg; God helps those who help them
selves. Immediately left P, and
got out of the way Of my old companions.
| remembered the advice given me by my
mother before she died, and | began to pray
to God to keep me from sin, and to give me
his help day by day. went round to tho
houses in the country places, and with part
of my five shillings bought old rags These
took to the paper mills, and sold them at a
profit. | was always willing to give fair
price for the things ! bought and did not try
to sell them for more than believed they
we're worth. determined to be honest and
God prospered me. My purchases and prof
its became larger and now have got more
than ten thousand crown pieces that | eau
call my own. One great thing that has con.
tributed to my success, is this: have kept
from drink and tobacco
As tho nap lomar opol,e Io too1- - L..
purse, and drew from it five shilling piece,
and handing it to the astonished beggar he
said:
Now, you have the same chance of getting
on in the world as ! had. Go, and work, and
never let me see you begging again. If dc
Will band you over to the police.
Years passed away. The gentleman had
forgotten the circumstance, until one day,
when travelling through P, lie entered
a respectable looking bookseller shop in or
der to purchase some books that he wanted.
lie had not been many minutes in CONVEX
sation with the bookseller, before the latter
eagerly looked into the face of his customer,
and enquired, Sir are you not the gentleman
who, few years ago, gave FIVE shilling
piece to door beggar at the end of this
street p
Yes
Then sir, this house. this well stocked
shop, is the fruit OF that five shilling piece
Tears of gratitude trickled down his cheeks,
as he introduced the gentleman to his happy
wife and children. lie was regarded as their
benefactor When gathered round the ia
BILE to partake Of tea, recounted his history
from the above eventful day. 1t was very
similar to that of the welcome visitor. BY
industry, honesty and dependence upon God s
help, he had risen step by step, from 5uyiug
rags to selling papers and tracts in the street,
then tokeepiug an old bookshop. and ultimate
ly, to be owner of ono Of the best circulating
libraries in the place. Before the happy par
~ separated, the large old family Bible was
brought, out of which pslam of thanksgiv-
ing was read, and then all beut round the
family altar, Words could not express the
feeling of those moments, silence, inter-
Mingled with suhdued sobs, eyinced the
gratitude to the Almighty Dispenser of all
events which was ascending to Heaven.
When they rose, aud bid each other fare
well, the bookseller said-'Thank God
have found your words to be truce cd helps
those who helps themselves. Its better to
work than to beg I"