Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-09-14

lf he thought he could undertake to get subscribers
for periodicals.; he thought that would just sui
him, as he was better acquainted with books thai
anything else
| gave him twenty shilling gold piece(a small
sum, the reader will say, to start man in bust
messy and told him to 90 to Harpers' and get som'
of their cheap monthly issues, and get few from
Virtues and make the attempt, providing hin
with carpet bag, and told him to come to me il
few days, if he thought he could succeed, ant
we would help him still farther. In about a weel
he called, but was not at home. Months rolled
on he called again, but was in the country.
| saw nothing more of my man, and / though
it would prove perhaps another of those instances
of ingratitude which we meet with in passing
through life. But was mistaken. The coming
New Years day, when friends were making the
accustomed calls, man who was standing neal
the house waiting until number of persons pass
ed out, when he rang the bell, gave the servant g
card with his name written upon it asking her al
the same time to ascertain if was quite alone, as
he did not wish to ntrude upon company. She
thought this rather strange request for such a
gentlemanly looking man to make, but replied that
was quite alone. He came into the parlor, and
did not at first recognize him. but on his begin
ming at once to apologize for his calling on New
Years day, recognized his voice.
He continued, mo one, madam, who calls on
you to day calls to pay a rist Of gratitude.
come to express mine.' Expecting to hear ofsome
efficient help from his people or good fortune that
had met him, congratulated him on his improved
health and appearance, and asked him what had
wrought the change. | felt humbled when he
told me that my poor little offering of twenty shil
lings had, with the blessing of God, effected all.
He then said the evening he had come TO our
dwelling he had made up his mind TO put an end
to his existence if help did not come, but he had
great reason to bless God, who had not only given
him temporal relief, but he had followed the en-
treaty to call upon God in the hour of trouble and
He had heard his prayer; his heart was changed,
and he owed his maker debt of gratitude he could
never pay.
He said the Harpers treated him very kindly,
and after a little while he could have all he wish
ed, they giving him every advantage to succeed
And he has succeeded beyond his most sanguine
expectations, ,-deivering his books in New York,
Brooklyn, and Williamsburgh; and he continued,
Il have not only this good suit of clothes upon me-,
but have sent out money for my only son, and
have saved in the year besides forty dollars draw
ing his purse from his pocket at the same time.
He had paid for his lodging at his friends and was
now boarding at respectable druggists in res
pectable part of the city. | wept at his recital,
and in truth 1t was to me the most pleasant visit
of the New Years day.
He appeared afraid to take my time, and SEEM
ed hurt when refused to allow him to return me
the money Next spring he called Oh me to say
his son had arrived and he was still prospering in
his business making from twelve to fifteen dollars
week. He seemed as if he could never express
his gratitude for his comforts, and read TO me a
letter in answer to one he had written to England
expressive of his great thankfuness.
few months after, a card accompanied by a
book was left at my door, with an expressed wish
that would not pain him with the refusal of this
small token of gratitude. Since then we hear Of
his continued prosperity.