The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-10-13
THE DAILY GAZETTE.
THE HONEST BOY--A LESSON FOR
OTHERS.

During the session OF the Congress
sional Convention, which we attended
in Fon du Lac, Wis, on Thursday the
18th, an exceedingly pleasant and in
teresting incident occurred which
anew illustrates the maxim that, hon
esty has its reward. Several small
lads about 10 years Of age, were in at
tendance with baskets Of apples for
sale, in the crowded court room, one
OF whom, offered his basket to gen
tleman, who took an apple, and in the
hurry OF the moment, drew from his
pocket what he supposed was the re-
quired penny, but in mistake gave
gold Eagle, which he had that morning
placed in his pocket, with some
change. A few moments afterwards
the boys retired to the courtyard to
count their gains-and it was soon
discovered that one Of them had OBJ
tanned gold piece; some OF his older
companions, with natural proclivities,
suggested to him to keep it dark, and
with it purchase new gun, with
which they could enjoy themselves,
and the owner would never know to
whom he had givenit it. But the noble,
honest hearted boy at once said No!
some Of the gentleman above stairs had
made mistake, and he would find
the owner, and retnrn it.
Without waiting to compromise
with principle, or hear further attempts
to corrupt his virtue, he at once re.
turned into the court room, marching
straight up TO the desk Of the Chair
man, placed the Eagle before him in
forming him briefly of the facts, and
modestly withdrew from the stand, as
if he had only performed simple
every day transaction oflife. The Of.
ticer Immediately announced the cir
cumstance Instantly, as if animated
by general spontaneous appreciation
of a highly meritorious actalmost every
member of the convention, had his
hand in his pocket, and the uncon-
scious hero Of the scene, was bewiider-
ed with picking up the shower of two
and four shilling pieces; which fell at
his feet But not content with this
manifestation OF their ieelinge X. K,
Jones, one OF Natures Noblemen OF
Manitowec, fully appreciatlng the
worth of integrity, suggested raising
by contribution. funds to exchange
with the owner for the Eagle, (ofwhich
he handed over one fourth to begin
with,) for the purpose OF having the
impression erased, and a suitable in-
scription engraved thereon, and pre-
sented TO the boy as a memorial. =
Again were the pockets and purse in
quick requisition, and but a moment
sufficed to fill the stock book OF this
unique association; and committee
appointed to carry out the wishes OF
the highly gratified donors.
An inquiry was then made about
the lad, and it was ascertained that he
was one of the numerous family. OF a
poor but industrious son of the Emer-
aid Isle, and one ofthe few republican
CeIts in that city, the announcement
of which, brought down the house
with three hearty cheers for the hon
est Fremont boy, that dared to be hon
est and true, under circumstances OF
peculiar temptation. The inscription
j. to be-
ii. OCoanor N'Cabe tie honest
boy"
The amount OF money contributed
on the occasion, exclusive Of that ex-
changed for the Eagle was over thirty
dollars. Among the contributors we
were pleased to notice Hon. G. Bill
linghurst, our worthy member OF Con
gress, who at later period Of the day,
coming into the room and learning
the facts, promptly honoring the in
tegrity and moral worth of one of his
most humble constituents presented
half eagle, in testimony of the noble
act.
We trust the above interesting in
cident may not be without its moral,
on the minds of all Young America
who may hear of It. We doubt not it
will make deep and lasting impres
sion on the mind of this worthy boy,
and lead to his future eminence as a
man. - Katertoacn Democrat.