The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-02-28
ASHLAND, ASHLAND COUNTY OHIO, WEDNESDAY, MoRl
PETER THE PEASANT-A TRIAL OF
2 81 = G INTEGRITY. ii'7 ="

PETER THE PEASANT-A TRIAL OF
INTEGRITY. =
A sToRFtF FOR THE YOUNG AND oLD--FRos
!. - H. THE FRENCH. -ved ps-AEs
Peter was the son Of an honest French
peasant, who lived on the banks of tbs
| Moselle., When he was fifteen years o
| age, his father was obliged to send hin
to Paris, to gain his livelihood as car:
penter. sd't PoTerty,'' said the old man
imposed upon as painful separations -
You may go to Paris to find work; you
will be exposed to, many temptations
but remember the lesson of your mother,
who has always shown you an example
of virtue; that though you are parted
from your earthly parents, you have a
years in our village, and no ono can ever
blame me for dishonest or dishonorable
action. Peter my son, you must not
shame your parentage.; 5Adieu !''
And so saying, the old man took a
hearty embrace, and Peter with a heavy
heart, set out on his route to Paris. He
turned more than once to take farewell
look at his native village; and when
the church spire only was visible he took
off his hat and reyerently bending his
knee he looked toward to spot where his
Savior's image rested on the altar, and
besought Him to give him strength to
perseverc to the end. cl s,frfel Is - &
At length Peter arrived at Paris !; the
journey had nearly exhausted his stock
of money, but he carried letter of re-
commendation to master carpenter,
who Immediately 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 good to Peter with ad-
versity. His master was ruined by some
unforeseen misfortunes, and all his work
men were dismissed. Poor Peter He
could send no more presents to his cot
tage home; and that was the first thought
that grieved him. sFlaT = 81
Confidence in God, however, was un-
bounded and God rewarded his conf
dence by putting it to hard proof; his
faith was to be strengthened and purifi-
ed in the school of misfortune. One day
that he had traversed the streets of Pa
ris, 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
eerSh 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, that is enough and he called
the woman and gave her two soues. As
he pursued his way he was overtaken by
an omnibus, when suddenly nwheel gave
way, and down it came with crash A
man who was passing at the moment was
thrown down and severely hurt. Peter
raised him up, and assisted him into
cabriolet which stood near.
Scarcely had he driven off, when Pc
ter observed a piece of paper on the
ground, and picking it up, found an or
der for five hundred francs. ID ii T
How can / return this to the owner !?
was the first thought that passed
through his mind.
"Where are you going with that drea-
my look ?n asked the voice of James,
one of his late fellow workmenwho lodg-
ed in the same house with him. ..e
Peter had always been reserved with
this man for he knew little of him and
his father had warned him not to make
acquaintance too hastily. No work to
be found yet, eh ?'aa continued James.
You know Paris" said Peter could
you tell me how. can discover the own
er 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 q
watch ? Do you fear discovery"
No." said Peter, i" but fear God,
and must restore what does not belong
to me- -
What have you found ?p said James.
-" A bill for i've hundred francs,n re-
piled Peter.
"Good, :" said James, "some gambler
has lost it as he came out of the gambling
house, or some rich merchant has drop
ed it out of his pocket book; you would
be great fool not to keep it ?"
I" It is not mine" said Peter.
eat any rate you are entitled to q
handsome reward for finding it 7' gGt
Peter went straight to the bank but
it was shut for the day; and when he re-
turned 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 lodg-
ing. Poor Peter! He had nothing but
the five hundred francs The sugges-
tion of James came to his mind: f" It
is doubtless the money of some rich man
who will never miss it." Alas Il Poor
Peter. asS
Meanwhile M. Bonard, who had lost
the order, was prey to the deepest dis
tress. When he was thrown down by
the omnibus, he had the billet, in his
hand but the pain he suffered from the
fall made him forget everything and it
was not until he got out of the cabriolet
that he missed the money. He was the
owner of shop, the rent of which was
due next day, and having lately expert
enced heavy losses, he had no mora mo-
ney to pay, for he had drawn from the
bank bis last five hundred francs. With
what sorrow did he look at his wife and
children He burst not tell them his
losses; but they soon saw that something
outward had occurred and at length he
was obliged to confess the truth. Some
honest person may yet find it he said.
"The will of God be done !" replied
his wife, You have been saved, from
an accident which might have cost your
ife, and every evil seems light in COM
parison, 81 - Fe