American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-03-29
LOOKING FOR A PLACE.
We'll, Johnny, have you succeeded

udg my SUM- =
Nothing good to-day. mother, Ihaye
been all over town almost, and no one
would take me. The book stores, and dry
goods stores and groceries have plenty of
boys already; but think, if you had been
with me, should have stood better
chance. Or, you look so thin and pale,
mother, somebody would have felt sorry,
and so have taken me; but nobody knew
me and nobody saw YOU
A tear stole down the cheek of the little
boy as he spoke, for he was almost dis
couraged; and when his mother saw the
tear, not few ran down hers also.
1t was cold, bleak night. and Johnney
had been out all day looking for "a place"
He had persevered, although constantly re-
fused, until it was quite dark, and then
gave up, thinking that his mother must be
tired waiting for him.
His mother was widow, and very
poor one. She had maintained herself by
needle-work till severe attack of sickness
had confined her to her bed, and she was
unable to do more.
She told her little son to sit down by the
fire, while she prepared his supper. The
fire and the supper were very scanty, but
Johnny knew they were the best she
could provide, and he felt that he would
rather share sucha fire and such supper
with such mother, than sit at the best
filled table with anybody else, who did not
love him as she did, and whom he did not
love as he did her.
After few moments of silence, the boy,
looking pinto his mothers face with more
than usual seriousness, said:
Mother, do you think it would be wrong
to ask my new Sabbath-school teacher a.
bou! it on a Sabbath?
No, my son, not if you have no other
opportunity; and | think he would be a
very suitable person, too at least l think
that he would be interested in getting you a
good place
'Well, tomorrow is the Sabbath, and
when the class breaks up, believe will
ask him
After reading portion of Gods holy
word, the mother and her little boy kneel
ed down together in their loneliness, and
prayed the Lord most earnestly to take
care of them. They were very poor, bu
they knew that God cared for the poor
They knew also that God would do what
was best for them. Oh, it is sweet thing
to the soul. to be able to say, sincerely
Thy will be donel'
4 feel happier now, said John. Il wa;
so tired when | came in, that felt quite
cross, know l did; did look 50, moth
er?'
The mothers heart was full, and she
gave her boy one long, affectionate kiss
which was sweeter to him than many
words.
Next morning was the Sabbath. John!
breakfast was rather scant, but he said not {
word about that, for he saw that his moth
er ate very little. But one or two stick
of wood were left outside the door where
it was kept, and he knew that both foot
and fire might be all gone before night
They had had no money to buy any will
for several days.
The Sabbalh-school bell rang. The SUI
was shining bright and clear, but the al
was exceedingly cold. The child had NJ
f overcoat, and was still wearing part o
his summer clothing. He was in his sea
just as his superintendent and his teache
entered.
WHO is that little pale-faced boy in you
class?' asked the superintendent of John
ny's teacher.
, His name is Jones; he lives in Ston
street, and must visit him this very week
D., He is well behaved boy
, Il should like to know more about him
| and | will see him after school"
, The superintendent did not forget him
: and when the class broke up, seeing hir
, linger behind the other scholars, went u
and took him by the hand kindly.
o You have been here to school severf
a Sabbaths, have you not, my boy?
q Yes, sir, came just month ago tc
). day
Had you ever been to school before thu
time?'
Yes, sir, before mother was sick I use
:, to 90 to-street school; but that was
q great way off; and when mother got bette
q and you opened this new school, she at
yised me to come here, as it is so muc
IS nearer
\ We'll, did I not see you yesterday lool
t ing for a place in Water street?'
n Il was down there, sir, looking for
i, place
a why did you not take that place whic
i the gentleman offered you in the larg
l grocery store|
: DO you mean the store where the grei
copper worm stood on the sidewalk
Il Yes
h 'Oh, sir, didn't know they sold rul
d there when I first went in, and when
q saw what kind of a store it was, was
fraid.'
Have you father?'
e No, sir; father is dead, said the lit
e boy, hanging down his head.
e What did your father do, my son?-
i what was his business?'
1t Sir, he once kept large store Ill
> that and the child shuddered VIXEN
answered. f40 AeTtlt
2 why did you not keep the piece of so
At money that you found on the floor as "
i were coming into the ,store?'
because il was not mine, and thoug