The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-03-14
Tbf Californian.
FOR; THE BOYS AND GIRLS.
LITTLE DICK.
From Forrcstcr's Magazine.


Little Dick was the son Of a poor, sick
widow. One evening, his mother said to
him:
"Dick, ! am very feeble to night l can
not finish that vest, and unless l could send
it home, ! cannot get money enough to buy
bread tonight fear, my dear boy, you
will have to 60 supperles, to bed"
Now Dick loved his mother, and had been
out oil day picking up chips for her fire. and
collecting old bones, rags, pieces of iron, and
other waste matters from the streets The
chips he had placed in box by the fire.
place. The rags, iron and bones, he had pill
ed up in separate heaps, ready to carry to
Uncle Pete's junk shop to sell. lie had just
been calculating how much his stock would
bring, and thinking that he would spend the
shilling he expected for it, in buying few
beef bones to make some soup of, for his
poor, sick mother. Her words checked bis
thoughts, however, and putting on cheerful
face, he replied:
"Never mind me, dear mother am not
gerry hungry. lean 90 without food until TO-
morrow, and not feel very bad"
Until tomorrow !" exclaimed the wild
ow, while great scalding tears rolled down
her cheeks. "Alas, my poor child, what will
you do then? | cannot get you any break
fast Tomorrow nor do think can finish
my work in time to buy YOU any dinner
Then pressing her hand upon her heart, and
signing heavily. she added: 80, my poor
boy, what will become of us. Who would
have dreamed that Annie Lawton would have
come to this?"
Dick approached his mother as she sat in
an old arm chair, and smoothing her hair
with one hand, be said, in = soft, gentle
voice:
Don't cry, my dear mother. Never mind
mel shall get along we'll enough. / will
buy breakfast for both of US tomorrow
morning"
You buy usa break fast ~ exclaimed his
mother, smiling through her tears, at the
bare thought Of her poor, haf:clad boy hav-
ing any money to buy food.
L" Yes. mother; why not ?" replied Dick,
looking archly at his mother.
simply because you have no money to
buy with, my poor boy"
" But. suppose should get some in the
morning, mother, what then ?"
" That would alter the case; but there is
no hope of that. and you will be very, very
hungry before get the money for the vest.
Alas. my boy ~ and the widows tears flowed
freely again at the thought of Dick being
without food all the next day.
Yes. there is hope, mother" said Dick.
Eagerly. Il have go: heap Of old rags,
bones and iron, which have been gathering
this week past will take them to Uncle
Pete in the morning. I'm sure he will give
me shilling for them. Won't that buv u.
breakfast ?"
God hl.ss yn". my I".- boy" -.r,;a., H..
mother" for your patience. courage and good
temper. | hope you will not be dsappoint-
ed in selling your hoard. Perhaps shall
be able to fni.h the vest by noon, and then
you can crrry it home and get the pay for
making it in season to buy something for din
ner." Dicks courage under difficulty, had
inspired his mother with hope.
Dick was not disappointed. Uncle Pete
gave him fifteen CEN. for hi, stock of old
iron, &C., and the boy left the junk shop in
high spirits.
just a' he reached the store, a carriage,
drawn by spirited horse, swept past him
lie saw package fall from it into the road
Picking up the parcel, he locked after the
carriage, but it was beyond the reach of his
voice. lie could see it, however, at the end
of the street, where it appeared to be draw
ing up to the door of a house.
Dick looked at the parcel. lie feI, it too
and Judged that it contained money. ut is
money. Keep it Yourself, no ono saw YOU
pick it up whispered the .tempter. But
Dick $ conscience promptly replied. THAT
would be wrong Yes" said Dick in reply
to bis conscience. sit would be wrong. I
won't keep it. III seek the owner. III
rather starve to death than steal"
Away then ran Dick after the carriage. /
lie found it standing in front of a house into
which the owner appeared to have gone
" Well" said Dick 70 himself, I'll wait till
he comes OUT
In afew moments the gentleman came ont
from the house, to enter his carriage acain. /
But seeing Dick with the pa,kace in hi.
hand. the thought struck him that the bow
had taken it from the carriage. Looking at
him very sterny, he said:
Boy, you have been robbiny nv car.
riasc."
NO, sir. have not. found tits in the
street."
No. you didn't find it, my little Jail bird
rou took 1t from the carriage during Inv alb
'ence IN this house. Ill have you taken care
Of Tasn looking round, he saw a police
man approaching. Reckoning to the man,
he shouted: Here! policeman, take this
by and shut him up, will you?" lie
has been robbns my carriage of thi, parcel