Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-12-07
misteltan&ons.
1ntedfitl Petef. the PEASANT.


A story for Young and OId.-FRoM THE FRENCH.
Peter was the son of an honest French
peasant, who lived on the banks of the No
selle. When he was eighteen years of age,
his father WAS obliged to send him to Paris,
to gain his livelihood as carpenter. "Pov-
erty," said the old man, eimposes upon us
painful separations. You 90 to Paris to
find work; you will be exposed to many
temptations; but remember the lessons of
your mother who has always shown you an
example of virtue; that though you are
parted from your earthly parents, YOU have
a Father in Heaven. l have lived sixty
years in our village, and no one can ever
blame me for a dishonest or dishonorable ac-
ton. Peter, my son, You must not shame
your parentage. Adieu."
And 50 saying, the old man took hasty
embrace, and Peter with a rather heavy
heart, set out on his route for Paris. He
tt;.::rrcc1! more tLan once to take farewell
look of his native village; and when the
church spire only was visible he took off his
hat and revereutly bending his knee he
looked towards the spot where the Savior's
image rested on the altar, and besought
Him to give him strength to porsevere to
the end.
At length Peter arrived at Paris; the
journey had nearly exhausted his stock of
money; but he carried letter Of recon-
mendation to q master carpenter, who imme
diately employed him. He was young, but
he was willing, and he soon gained what
enabled him to send presents to his parents
and to his little sister Maria.
But God saw it good to try Peter with
advcrsity. His master was ruined by some
unforeseen nlisfortunes, and all his work
men were dismissed. Poor Peter! He
could send no more presents to his cottage
home, and that was the first thought that
grieved him. H.s .s.f n.H
Confidence in God, however, was un-
bounded, and God rewarded his confidence
by putting it to hard proof; his faith was
to be strengthened and purified in the
school of misfortune One day that he had
travcrscd the streets of Paris, seeking in vain
for work, he became very faint as he crossed
the Tuilleries, and had Just time to throw
himself on a chair Or he would have fallen
to the earth. The woman who kept the
chairs did not perceive him; he might have
gone away without paying, and he was very
poor; but he said to himself, ''if the woman
lack vigilance, that is no reason why I
should lack probity; God sees me, and that
is enough," and he called the woman and
gave her two sous. As he pursued his way
he was oyertakcn by an omnibus, when sud
denly a wheel gave way, and down it came
with q tremendous crash. A man who was
passing at the moment was thrown down
and severely hurt Peter raised him up,
and assisted him into a cabriolet which
stood near.
Scarcely had he driven off, when Peter
observed piece of paper on the ground,
and picking it up, he found an order for five
hundred francs.
"How can l return this to the owner| %
was the first thought that passed through
his mind.
"Where are you going with that dreamy
look?" asked James, one of his late fellow
workmen who lodged in the same house
with him.
Peter had always been reserved with
this man, for he knew little of him; and his
father had warned him not to make acquaint-
ance too hastily. "No work to be found
yet eh?" continued James.
''You know Paris" said Peter, "could you
tell me how can discover the owner of
something have found %
''What" said James, ''would you look for
the owner of what fortune has thrown in
your way? Is it ring or a watch? Dol
you fear discovery -s..a ..
"No," said Peter, "but l fear God, and
must restore what does not belong to me"
"What have you found 2" said James.
"a bill for five hundred francs" replied
Peter.
"Good," said James, 'somo gambler has
lost it as he came out of the gambling house,
or some rich merchant has dropped it out of
his pocket-book; you would be a great fool
not 10 keep it."
at is not mine, said Peter.
"At any rate you are entitled to hand
some reward for finding it."
Peter went straight to the bank, but it
was closed for the day: and when he return
ed to his lodgings, he found James had told
the landlord that he had met with some
good fortune; and the man Immediately
attacked him and insisted on being paid
for the last months lodgings. Poor Peter
he had nothing but the five hundred francs.
Tho S1UrnStiOn Of TanoaS carnn to his mind