The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1857-10-15
8 8rantjfnl STORY.
PETER, THE PEASANT
A TRIAL OF INTEGRITY.
A STORY FOR YOUNG AND ON

STORY FOR YOUNG AND OLD.
Peter was the sonof an honest French
peasant, who lived on the banks of the
MOsollc When he was eighteen years
of age, his father was obliged to send
him to Paris, to gain his livelihood as a
carpenter. Poverty" said the old
man, imposes upon us painful scpara-
tions. You 60 to Paris to find work:
you will be exposed to many tompta-
tiOns; 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 Father in heaven. l have lived
sixty years in our village, and no one
can ever blame me for a dishonest or
dishOnorable action. Peter, my son.
you must not shame your parentage.-
Adieu"
And so saying, the old man took a
hasty embrace, and Peter, with 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 rcverently bending his
knee, he looked towards the spot where
his SaviOr's image rested ON the altar,
and besOught Him to give him strength
to per5evere to the end.
At length Peter arrived at Paris; the
journey had neatly exhausted his stock
of money but he carried letter of
recommendation to a 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 it was good to try Peter
with adversity, His master was ruined
by some unforeseen misfortunos, and all
his workmen were dismissed. Poor Pc
ter! He could send 20 more presents
to his cottage home; and that was the
first thought that grieved him.
Confidence in God, however, was un-
bounded, and God rewarded his conf
denoe by putting it to a hard proof; his
faith was to be strengthened and purified
in the school Of misfortune. One day
that he had traversed the streets Of Par
is, 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. eff
the woman lack vigilance, that is no
reason why should lack probity; God
sees me, thatis enough, and he called
the woman and gave her two sous. AS
he pursued his way he was overtakcn
by an omnibus, when suddenly a wheel
gave way, and down it came with tre.
mendouus crash. A man who was pass
ing at the moment was thrown down
and severely hurt. Peter raised him up.
and assisted him into q 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.
dertor i've hundred francs.
How can Ireturn this to tho ownor?
was the 9rstthought that passed through
his mind.
=" mere are you going with that
dreamy look?" asked tBo 5ice of
James, one of his late fellow-worI
mon, who lodged in the same hons,
with him.
Peter had always been reserved wit1
this man, for he knew little of him ,5 INK
his father had warned him not TO motC
acquaintanoos too hastily.
No work to be found yet, oh2p con
tinued James.
You know Paris, said Peter, "oould
you tell me how l can discover the own
or Of something j have foupdF
WHAT said James, pwould Won
look for the owner of what fortune las
thrown in your way2 Is 20 ring or a
Watohf DO you fear discovery"
'No, eaid PctcE 'but 7 'fcar God