The Empire County argus. [volume] (Coloma, El Dorado County, Cal.) 1853-1857, 1853-12-10
THE HONEST BEGGAR BOY.
FROM THE GERMAN.

without raising his mead from his book be or
Weeping bitterly, the boy glidcd towards the
door, at the moment Herr Richter entered.
What is the matter here 2 he asked turning to
the book keeper:
"A worthless beggar boy was the mans answer,
and he scarcely looked up from his work.
In the meanwhile Herr Richter glanced towards
the boy and remarked that when close to the door
he picked up something from the ground.
Fla, my little lad, what is that you picked up 2
he cried.
The weeping boy turned and showed him
needle.
And what will youdo with it I? asked the other.
My jacket has holes in it, was the answer; i
will sew up the big ones
Herr Richter was pleased with the reply and still
more with the boy innocent, handsome face.
But are you not ashamed, he said in a kind
though serious tone, you are so young and hearty
to beg! Can you not work I!
All. my dear sir replied the boy. Il do not
know how; and am too little yet to thresh OF 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 bread. But alas, single peasant only
gave me yesterday piece Of bread; since then
have not eaten morscl Of any kind of food
1t is quite customary for bcggars by trade to
trive tales like this and this hardens many heart
against the CLAIMS Of genuine want. But this time
the merchant trusted to the boys honest face. He
Of money and said
There is halfa dollar; go to the Bakers and
with half the money buy bread for yourself your
mother and your brothers but bring back the other
half to me-
The boy took the money and ran joyfully away.
Well said the surly book-keeper, he will laugh
in his sleeve and never come back again.
Who knows I! replied Herr Richter; and as he
spoke he beheld the boy returning quickly, with
large loaf Of black bread in one hand, and some
money in the other.
There, good sir, he cried, almost brcathless;
there is the rest of the money
Then, being very hungry, he begged at once for
cr reached him in silence his pocket knife
The lad cut eff a slice in great haste and was
about to take a bite Of it. But suddenly he be
thought himself, laid the bread aside and folding
his arms rehearscd silent prayer; then he fell to
his meal with hearty appetite.
The merchant was moved by the boys unaffected
pcty He cnquircd after his family and home, and
learned from his simple narrative that his father
had lived in village about four miles distant from
Dantzic. where he owned Il small house and farm :
but his house had been burnt to the ground, and
much sickness in his family had compelled him to
sell his farm. lie then hired himself to rich
ncighbor bat before three weeks were at an end
he died, broken down by grief and excessive toll
And now his mother whom sorrow had thrown up
on a bed of sickness, was with her four children
suffering the bittcrest poverty He, the eldest, had
resolved to seek for assistance, and had gone from
village to village, then had struck into the highway
and at last, having begged everywhere in vain, had
come to Dantzic.
The merchants heart was touched He had but
one child and the boy appeared to him as draft
at sight, which Providence had drawn upon him as
test of his gratitude.
Listen, my son. he began, have you really
wish to learn =
oh yes, have indeed cried the boy have
read the catcchism already, and | should know
good deal more, but at home had always my little
brothers to carry for ny mother was sick in bed
Herr Richter Immediately formed his resolution.
Well, then, he said, if you good and hon
cst and industrious, | Will take care Of you. You
shall learn, have meat and drink, and clothing,
and in time earn something besides Then You
support your mother and brothers also
The boys eyes flashed with joy. But in a mo-
mont he cast them to the ground again. and sadly
said My mother all the while has nothing to eat
At this instant as If sent by Providence, an in
habitant Of the boys native village entered Herr
Richtcr's House. This man confirmed the lads
story, and willingly consented to carry the mother
tidings Of her son Gotleib, and food, and a small
sum Of money from the merchant. At the same
time Herr Richter directed his bookkccper to write
letter to the pastor of the village commencing the
widow to his care with an additional sum enclosed
to the poor family, and promising further assistance.
AS soon as this was done Herr Richter furnished
the boy with decent clothes, and at noon led him to
his wife, whom he accurately informed of little
Gottlcibs story, and of the plans which he had
formed for him. The good woman readily prom
ised her best assistance in the latter and she faith
fully kept her word.
During the next four years Gottlcib attended the
schools OF the great commercial city then his faith
full foster-ather took him into his counting room to
educate him for business.
Here as we'll as there at the writng-dcsk well
as on the school bench the ripcnng youth display
ed himself not only by his natural capacity, but by
the faithful industry with which he exercised it
With all this his heart retained its native inno-
ccnce OF his weekly allowance, he sent the half
regularly to his mother, until she died. She had
passed the last years Of her life not in wealth it is
true, but by the aid of the noble Richter and her
faithful son, in a condition above want
After the death of his dearly beloved mother,
there was dear friend left to Gottleb in the world
except his benefactor. Out Of love to him, he be-
came an active, Jealous merchant
He began by applying the superauity of his al
lowance which he could now dispose of at his pleas
urc to a trade in Hamburg quls. When by care
and prudence he had gained hundred and twenty
dollars it happened that he found in his native vii
age considerable quantity ofilax and hemp which
was very good, and still to be had at reasonable
price He asked his fostcr-tahcr to advance him
two hundred dollars which he did with great read
mess and the business prospered so well that IN
the third year of his clerkship Gotlcb had already
acquired the sum of five hundred dollars. Without
w, his do Hov hn now trafickpd in