The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-01-02
THE LOST PuRSE.

"What arc you going to do with itT' az
claimed half adozen ragged urchins to bright
| eyed, thnly news boy, who was holding up
a splendid purse in ono of hls purple cold hands
fhN yNh b9 IN bed sakeR out few moments previous
Return it to the owner, said the little honest
fellow. in firm tone.
"A fool! foolP shouted the boys. 'wouldn1
catch US returning purse that looked as though
it had lots of money in it, as that does; let's SEQ
how much there lie, spoke tho eldest of the
group and made an attempt to wrcst il from
tho boys hand.
1t shan't be opened. It is noho of your bus
moss what It contains, it is none of ours,an il
| you don't loose your grasp upon 1t will call
tho police, returned honest Johnny, in q com
mandng tone. =.
| The boys knew that Johnny would do a. no
said; hence, they not only ceased tormenting
him but stolo away, as if tho police were already
on their track.
when alone, Johnny began TO cohsi1er what
it was best to do. There was no way, that he
saw, by which the owner could be identified by
him. A thought struck him-ho would deliver
it to tho Office of the chief of police. But he
should lose tho sale of his papers if no alton
dcd to it then, and if ho did, his mother and
little sister must go without bread that night,
for they had nothing 10 cat save that which tho
daily sale of his newspapers brought. What
should he doS He paused n while, and then
said Mother, yo0 Would rather, GO huigry
to night, am sure. would rather, too, than
keep the purse until TO morrow morning. lets
see? he put his hand into his pocket, and after
fumblng short timo, drow forth three cents;
I've got money enough to bny loaf of bread
for little sisters supper and breakfast. and
will go without; so l will GO at once and carry
the purse wherc the owner Gun obtain IT.
Thus saying, he trudged with the purse in ono
hand, and the bundle Of newspapers in tho
other. whistling as no went; for although pinch
cd with cold and hunger, ho felt happy because
hc was doing right n
After di.posng of tho purse, and being call:
ed and honest litilo fellow by tho police, he
returned home, and related TO his mother how
he had ac,ed She praised him for so doing,
and said no must do righ, if ho perishod in tho
attempt.
The next morning, Johnny went from his
homo a li,tlo bluer aud colder than usual for
he had no supper or breakfast to fill up his
stomach thereby keeping the cold out
At nightfall he was going home with light
heart. for he had sold papers enough to buy
bread sufficient to last his mothor. sister and
himself one day! when he was met by tho gen.
tleman to whom no had delivered the purse on
tho previous day.
NV lttlo fellow exclaimed tho gentleman
patttnv nltn Oh tii0 tTo Huioo Jou
left with mo has been returned TO tho owner,
who, by the way, is an intimate friend Of u'inc.
and to rcwnrd you ho has offered TO take you
in his employ, end SEQ what he can mako Of
yon.'
will he give mo wages enough TO buy moth
or and sister brcady anxiousIy inquired the
lad
YES returned tho gentleman. and moro
than that; somcr no aidod, 'wo'll soon SEQ
what hell do for you Thus saying, he 'od
tho way to a largo brick dwelling. nearly oppo-
site to where they h I'd bcen talking.
A slight ring at the door-boll brought the
owner of tho purse to the door. He was IN
formed by his friend that tho lad before him
was tho one to whom he wns indebted for the
recovery Of his lost property. johnny mot
with a warm and hearty welcome from bis new-
found friend, who not only promised to tako
tho honest boy in his employ, but that his
mother and sister should be mad, comfortable
and happy. Tears of JOY filed the little fellows
eyes as no hdstened to inform his mother OF
his good fortune Tho mother was overjoyed
at tho pleasing tidings Of her son. and she ana
Johnny never after had occasion TO regret the
later conduct respecting tho Lost Purse