The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-05-11
Tat WsEEl o. fOaTuaL

II was cold, stormy day in the mouth
of aJnuary, that poor pale-faccd, boy en-
tered the counting-Toom Ofa wealthy mer-
chant, and handed him note.
The boy was shiyering with cold, while
his looks plainly told how impaiently he
waited for his answer. The merchant
glanced at the note. and then in an angry
tone said to the boy: = ?
You may tell your mother that she must
either pay me the money orvacate the house
tnis week, for ! will wait no longer
Nj mother is sick, Mr.. Bentley, and |
wish you would wait one week longer
4 have waited long enough said the
hard -heartcd merchans. and II she does mot
pay the rent. she win be compelled to leave
the house.
With tears in his eyes, the little fellow
left the place, and regardless Of ms storm. .
he hnrried on towards clothing establish
Inent where he was employed as a, errand
~ and just rs he was abodt io enteF the
Shop, hand was laid upon his arm, and a
he turned round he recognized Young
man whom he had seen sitting in Mr.. Bent.
ley's counting-house.
Are you the boy that just left Mr.. Bent
ley's counting-room?
L am, sir
What are you doing here?'
Mr.. Martin pays me FIVE dollars per
month for doing chores about the shop
What kind Of work does your mother
do?'
MY mother and sister make shirts for a
sixpence a piece. When mother is well,
we all can earn enough to purchase fuel and
provisions sufficient for our comfort
But how did you pay your rent before
your mother was taken sick?'
My father was mason by trade, and he
done Job of work for Mr.. Bentley, and in
lieu Of money, he took receipt for six
months rent
Where is your father now?'
He died last June, eight days after we
arrived in New York; he had been in this
country eighteen months and last spring he
sent home to London for mother and us
children-having the rooms we now occu-
py furnished for our reception when we ar
rived
is five dollarsall your mother owes Mr..
Bentleyg -
It's, sir
Here, my boy, take this money, and go
TO the counting-room and pay your rent
Tell Mr.. Bentley it was loaned you by
friend without telling who l am or where
you have seen me; and if you are as good
boy as l think you are, you shall know
me better hereafter
Before the boy had time to express his
heartfelt gratitude, the stranger was gone;
and with light heart he retlaced his steps
to the counting-room and took receipt for
the money. Then he bounded away to-
wards home to relate his good fortune to
his mother and sister.
They all thanked God, and blessed the
stranger over and over again before they
seated themselves at the table TO partake of
the seanty meal which Lucy had prepared
for them. Scarcely were they done eating
when loud tap was heard at the outer
door, and in moment more the stranger
stood before them.
Mother this is the gentleman who gave
me the money topay therent, said Henry at
the same time handing him chair.
Thank you,' said the stranger; 4 have
no time to sit; | merely called to know if
your sister would hem half-dozen hand
kerchiefs for me-
Most certainly said Mrs. Willard, We
will do everything in our power TO recon-
pcnse you for the kindness you have shown
us. May ask your nape-and where we
shall send the work when it is donc?'
MY name is of little consequence, and
when the handkerchiefs are done will call
here and get them-good night my friend,
| hope to find your health much improved
when l call again
Every day for two weeks small basket
of provisions was brought to the door, di-
rected to Mrs. Willard-and when she ques-
toned the boy that brought them, his only
answer was-they're given to you by a
friend
Three weeks had passed and their dream
was broken by the entrance of the stranger,
When Lucy handed him the handkerchiefs
he gave her dollar.
I'VE cannot take this money said Mrs.
Willard, you have been so kind to us
Take it, my good woman-it will pay
your weeks rent; and have some shirts
that would like you to make if you are
able
On the following day he brought the
shirts, and from that time forth he became
frequent visitor He would often spend
whole evening in teaching Henry and Lucy
lessons in arithmetic and grammer, which
they had not previously had chance to
learn.
my dear children said Mrs. Willard,
enc evening after the stranger had left them,
Il am sorry that SO much of your happiness
depends upon the visits of one we do not
know; it is strange that we cannot learn his
name-and l sometimes fear that his in
tentions are not SO honest as we have mag
ined.'
DO not misjudge him, mother said Lu-
cy, for am pleased with his company, and
1 believe that he is christian
Mother is afraid that he will run of with
our little bes uty, said Henry, laughing.
No, do not believe that Lucy would,
Intentionally, do anything wrong, but Saan
is transformed into an angel of light; there
fore, we should ever be on our guard lest
we should be deceived by shining colors.--
tits now nearly year since our first ac-
quaintance with him and yet his name and
history is a perfect riddle
Another evening came, and the young
man was again seated with the little family
enoaued in conversation. when the land