Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-01-04
4 T. nny.

4 P.nny.
Thii,v years ago there was seen to enter the
lity ui London, II lad about fourteen years ot
age. lie was dressed in dark smock-irock, ,
that hi all his under apparel. and which
nppeared TO have been made for q person evil
IDENTIFY taller than the wearer. His hoot-
we're covered with dust from the high rod.
lie had m old hat with black band, which
contrGslrd strangely with the covering of his
head a small bundle fastened to the end
of a sick and thrown over his shoulder, was
the whcle cf his equipment. As he aI-
proaohed the Mansion House he paused To
look al the building, and seated himself on
the steps al one Of the doors, he was about 10
rest himself; hut the coming in and going
out Of half dozen persons before he had
time t. finish untyinS his bundle, made him
leave tha. spot f0r the open space, where the
doors were in part closed
Having taken from the bundle a large
quantity of bread and cheese. which lie
seemed TO eat with ravenous appetite, he
amused himself with all the eager curiosity
OF one unaccustomed to sec similar sights.
The eGppearanca Of the youth soon attract
ed my curiosity, and gently opening the
door, stood behind him without his being
i'll the Least conscious ot my presence lie
Il great deal of trouble, brOuL uLht out u lull of
paper, which he opened. After satisfying
himself that large copper coin was safe, he
carefully pat it back again, saying to linn
self i'll IL low tone, Mother. will remember
your l..t word; "a penny saved is two-pence
earned. 1t shall 60 hard with nc before |
part with you, my old friend.
Piras ID with this remark, | touched the
lad o.! ,le shoulder. lie started, and was
about ti move away, when | said
My good lad you seem tired, and like
wise "a ranger in the city
Yes, sir, he answered, putting he hand
to hi hat lie was agaiuabJut to move
fOrw ri
:'Ypu need not hurry away, my boy Oh
servo. 'lndeed, it YOU are u stranger, ana
wiling to work, can perhaps help You to
get What you require.
The aov stood mute with a.tonis shment,
and ca,oring to such an extent as to show all
the itocGles of sunburnt face, stlmmared
out.
'l-e, sir,
! wish to know | added, with all the
ktuiress Of manner could assume whether
you are anxious to find work, for I want a
boy 80 assist my cOachman.'
Tho poor lad twisted and tvirled hi. bun
die about, and after placing his hand to his
heal. managed to utter an awkward answer,
and sad he would be very thankful
mentioned not Il word about what had
overheard with regard to the penny, but in
yiLing him into the House, ! sent fox the
c"achlnan, to whose care | entrusted the new
rUWer.
Nearly a month had passed after this meet
ing .ni conversation had occurred, when re
>u,, 10 make some enquiries OF the coach
I a ,,t 1 N lad
y better boy never came into the house,
Sir; ~ 4 as for wasting anything, Liess he .
Ill. know not where he has been brought
up, hut | really believe he would consider it
Il SIN i. ne did not, give the crumbs 0! bread
10 the bird. every morning.
i um glad to hear 50 gdod an account,
rerli i.
'Ant as for his good nature. Sir, there is
not servant among us that dJesn I rue4 K
well of Joseph. lie reads to us while we
sup, and he writes all our letters for u.s.
Oh, sir, he has got more learning than all Of
us put together; aud what's more he does ut
mind work, and never talks about our Sc
crete alter he writes our letters
Determined to see Joseph myself, request
ed the ooachmdn to send him to the plrlor.
i understand, Joseph, that you can read
and write
Vs. 'ii' ti'ouhc ~ ny FJJl uSuu tiJti'''I
You have lately lost your mother, then
a month that very day when you were
kind enough to take me into your house an
unprotected orphan, answered Joseph.
Where did you 60 to school
Sir, nay mother has been a widow e;cr
since | can remember She was a dnug Atcr
Of the llage sch0olmaster, and having to
maintain ne and herself with her needle She
took the opportunity other leisure moments to
teach Inc not only to read AID write, but 10
cast up accounts.
And did she give you that penny which |
saw you unroll SO carefully at the door
Joseph stood amazed, but at length replied
with great emotion, and u tear stood in his
eye.
Yes, Sir, it was the vcry last penny she
gave me.
'Wdr Joseph, 50 satisfied am with YOUR
conduct, that not only do l pay TO you a
mont wages willingly for the time yon
I'll tht dntics Of collecting clerk to our firm
which AS become vacant by the death oil a
very q, and faithful assistant
Jos thanked me in the most unas
sunni ; manner. aud dsasked to take care
Of hr \ 'ncy, since ] had promised to provide
him N' suitable clothing for his Lew &C.
cupaI Ii.
, 1t vi. be unnecessary to relate how, stcr
| by st +. this poor country lad proceeded Il
win t,r confidence Of myself aud partner 49,
/ The al, Junts were always correct to penny;
! and VI, never his salary became due, he drew
cut nv hands no more than he absolutely
need D. even to 4 penny. At length he had
save. i sufficient sum OF money to be deposited
/ Ia the bank.
4 II 81 happened that one Of our customers who
/ carried on successful business, wanted al
an active partner. This person was Of &c
centric habits, and considerably advanced il
/ years. Serupulousiy just, lie looked on ever,
/ penny, and invariably discharged his work
myn. if they were not equally -scrupuous il
thcir dealing with hin.
Aware of this popularity Of temper, thcr,
was n person | could recommend but Jseph
AMI after overcoming the repugnunce of my
! partner, who was unwilling to be deprived o
30 valuable an assistant, Joseph was duh
received into the frm Of Richard Farbrothe
a Co. Prosperity attended Joseph in hi
new undertaking and never suffering a pen
ny difference to appear in his transactions, h
- completely won the confidence Of his seno
plrtGsr, shat he left him tho whole Of hi
business as he expressed in his will eycl
to the very last penny