Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-05-18

est men in the place. He owned very
Large farm; and besides supplying a large
amount of milk to customers, he ra sed large
quantities of garden sauce and fine fruit,
which he sent to a neishborng city.
"Oh how easy he could spare it," whs-
peled Abel. at would be no loss to him."
That is SO in measure, my son." said
the widow solemnly. Ills would not be
the loss but IRE should losc-oll, how much" :"
i We, mother?"
AYE, my boy. Should you keep this
should we keep it-where would our honor
be! The next time you met Mr.. Thomp-
son, you'd fear to look him in the face. You
could not look at him with the happy con-
seriousness of your own innocence. There
would be taint upon your character--a
sting in your soul. Oh, would you keep it
Abcl!"
"No, my mother, would not. No, no
I'll carry it back this very night"
You might wai' until morning, for you
must get me some wool now.'
The purse was laid away in a place of
safety, and on the following morning Abel
started off bright and early, and walked
with light and buoyant step, for he was
satisfied with the work he was doing.
Mr.. Thompson lived in fine large man
sion on the top of Il gentle eminence, at a
short distance from the road, and was sur
rounded by park of noble trees. Abel
took his way up the neatly graveIed walk,
and met the owner upon the broad piazza.
" Do you wish to see me, sir?" asked
the host. He was kind, generous looking
man; stout and corpulent, with face full
of health and good nature.
"Yes, sir" answered Abel promptly, at
the same time ascending the piazza. 81
found purse last evening, and on opening
it we found your name upon it,
And who is IRE?
MY mother and me, sir"
"Then you did not think you needed the
money!"
SIR" returned the youth, with enquir
ing gaze.
g Seeing that you bring the money to me
l suppose you had no use for it,
"Use for it, sir?" repeated Abel, at ;
loss how to understand the man.
"Oh God knows we had use for it, bu
not so much as we have for our honor an,
truth.
Were you afraid to keep it 2" pursue'
Mr.. Thompson in the same peculiar tone.
: "Afraid what do you mean? DO
love my mother because I'm qfratd 70 hat
her! / brought your money back becaus
: it was yours, and not mine" Thus speak
ing, Abel handed the gentleman the purs
and turned away. Mr. Thompson did no
; say word, and the youth kept on, feclin,
glad that he had done right; yet at III
same time almost ready TO cry at the re
ception he had met with.
When he reached home he sank into
chair, and leaned his head upon his hand.
"Why, what's the matter, Abel?" aske
his mother, in alarm.
But before he could answer, they wer
both startled by hearing horse trot up
the door. 1t was Mr.. Thompson. lie di:
mounted, and as the door was open, he er
tered without ceremony. lie bid the wid
ow eleeful good morning, and then too
seat.
4 /" I've come on business, and may 9
: well proceed at once" Then turning t
; Abel, he asked:
d " Are you engaged at PRESENT."
" No, sir" replied the youth eagerly, ft
; the man spoke very kindly.
"Wouldn': you ike something TO do ? y
It "Oh, yes, sir. | spent all the day ye
terday in looking after work. My motht
{ is not well, and must earn something"
y g Can you write?"
" Yes, SIR"
Pretty well: ~
"Yes, sir. My mother has taught n
= more than l should have learned at school
~ You can cypher then ?"
: Yes, sir. ] have been pretty thoroug
u ly as far as cube root
Can you drive two horses -
E Yes, sir. drove the stage from he
= to Grantborough a good many times ia
=. winter"
= "Then think you are just the man
want in few days shall have some sau
, to send to the city, and as yet have e
- gagged no one to take charge Of that d
: partment The last two years ! have 10
q, considerable by dishonest men. The mi
= who carries my produce to market, has co
- siderable money to collect sometimes
- will average hundred dollars day for
week at time. When buy up fruit al
10 berries to send to the city the receipts a
considerable. dow should yon like Il
place?
Il could be with my mother at nigh
at sir?"
-, "Yes"
a.. .Tben I should ike II very much-ye