Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-11-25
4opnIar GaIes.
THE LOST PURSE.

A friend related to me simple story mo-
long since, which think is worth telling
over. The parties of whom be spoke wers
near BY, and it was the presence of The here
that called the circumstance TO mind.
Abel Merton was youth of about seven
tech. His mother was a widow, and he ar
only child. They lived in part of a smal
hut in9ihe outskirts ofa village and were
very poor. During the long, cold winte. the
widow bad been quite sick, SO that Abe
had been obliged to spend most of his time
with her. The youth had never learned
any trade, as various circumstances COM
biued to prevent his leaving home. He
worked whenever he could get work to do
and thus far managed to find food enough
TO keep himself and his mother alive, though
they suffered much from cold.
As the spring opened. Abel tfied to find
work. but was not successful. He picked
up few odd jobs now and then bot the
proceeds we're barely sufficient to purchase
enough of the eosrsest, cheapest food
Clothingitbey could not buy, and poor Abe
began to fear thn be must beg a suit ol
clothes, or, what was worse, leave his
mother. But the latter he could not do.
One afternoon he went into the village
and spent several hours in bunting for
work, but he found nothing to do. Some
seemed to turn him away because he Look
ed 90 ragged, while others said they never
eupIoyed any one outside of their own
households.
Faint and sick at heart, Abel bent his
steps humewsrd. He had left the village
and was turning into the narrow lane that
led 70 his home, when he detected some
thing peculiar upon the ROAD side. He picked
it Up and found it to be a small knit purse.
II was quite heavy, and the jingle of the
-coaiesse was TOO sharp and clear for copper.
Ihe poor youth did not stop to open il
than. for il was already dusk and he knew
that his mother would be anxious; so, with
a strangely beating heart, be hurried home
ward. He entered the little room where his
nother vas sitting and saak down in q
chair. -
a"Alss. no work." the widow mu-mured
as she saw the cloud upon the buys face
aNo,"r he replied; ;"i tried all around, bu
,twss 10 use"
nNever mind, Abel, God is good. We
sSaiI not suffer as those do who have nc
,rus, in Him." >,
1Bot how does ne ne help US, mOthei""
asked Abel in faltering voice. .Hl
"In many ways, my son. He has preserved
us through many trials and has given III
hope snd courage. He has preserved TO mi
a true snd virtuous child, and has held VI
clear from many suffeIings which aftiict ou
fellows. Look at Mrs. Tyudsl; see her will
all her wealth, suffering tortures that
would not suffer for worlds. See her on:y
son, a poor, miserable inebriate, and In prison
for 4 drunken crime. For what would we
exchange our noble consciousness OF right
and honori''' =..-~.
Abel made no reply. There had beef
something bearing down heavily upon hu
soui--somethiag which lay in his pocke
and sent forth serpent song o. plenty
But the load was removed. He drew tn
purse from his pocket and laid it upon tn
table by his side.
"What is that!" said the widow, as sh
heard the sharp click of the coin.
"a purse-I found it on the road"
"Found IL! Oh, did you 6nd it!"
"Yes, my mother. In the road, jIst a
the turn Of our lane. 1t lay in the foot path.