Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-10-23
PROVIDENCE PRosPERs HONESTY
THE LITTLE RAGGED BEGGAR
BY MRS ST SIMON.

A poor boy about ten years OF age entered
the warehouse of a rich merchant Samuel
Ritche-, in Dantzic, aud asked the book kee-
per for aims. a. You get nothing here"
grumbled the man, {" so be of"
Weeping bitterly, the boy glided towards
the door, and at that moment Herr kitcher
entered.
What is the matter here 2" he asked, tur
uiDg towards the book keeper.
Worthless beggar boy" was the reply
and be scarcely looked up from his work.
In the mean time Herr Ritcher glanced
towards the boy. and remarked that. when
close to the door, he picked up something
from the ground
"Ha! my little lad what is that you pick
ed up?" cried the merchant The beggr
turned and showed bim a needle.
And what will you Go with it?" asked
the other
My jacket bas holes in it, will sew the
the big ones up" was the reply.
Her Riicher was pleased with the answer.
and still more with the boys innocent, hand
some face
- But are you not ashamed" he said, in a
kind though serious tone, ''you, young
and hearty. TO beg Can YOU not work Z"
(" All, my dear sir" replied the boy, do
or fall wood My father died three weeks
ago, and my poor mother and and little broth
er have eaten nothing these two days. Then
ran out in anguish. and begged for aims
But alas single peasant only gave me yes
terday piece of bread; since then l have
not eaten a morsal ~
1t is quite customary for beggars by trade,
to contrive tales like this. and thus harden
many a heart against the claims OF genuine
want But this time the merchant trusted the
boys honest face, He thrust bis hand into bis
pocket and, drew forth piece of money, and
said:
Z" There is half dollar. go to the bakers
and with half the money, buy bread for your
self brothers aud mother, but bring me back
the other half"
The boy took the money and ran joyfully
away
"Well'' said the surly book-keeper. - be
will laugh in his sleeve, and never come back
again
'' Who Knows replied Her RItcher. And
as he spoke he bsheld the boy running tow
ards the warehouse wit large lot of black
bread In one hand and some money in the
other.
:. There, good SIR" he cried almost breath
less, I" there ia the rest of the money
Then, being very hungry he at once asked
for knife to cut off q piece of the bread
The book keeper reached him in silence his
pocket knife.
The lad cut off slice 10 great haste. and
was about to bite upon it. But suddenly be
thought himself. and laying the bread to one
side, and folding bis hands, rehearst silen
prayer. Then fell to his meal with hearty
appetite
The merchant was moved BY the boys un
affected piety. He inquired after tn
boys amily at home. and learned that bi
father had lived in a small village about fou
miles from Dantzic, where be owned a smal
farm. But bis house had been burned to th
ground, and much sickness in his family ha'
compelled him to sell his farm. He had the
hired himself out to rich neighbor, but, be
fore three weeks he died, broken dow
by excessive grief and toll And the mothe
whom sorrow had thrown upon a bedof sick
ness. was, With her four children. suferin
the bitterest poverty He. the eldest, ha
resolved to seek assistance, and had gon
first from village to village. then be ha
truck into the high road. aud at last. havin
begged everywhere in vain. had come {
Dantzic.
The merchants heart was moved II
had but one child. and the boy appeared ;
him ss q draft at sight. when Providence ha
drawn upon him q test of his gratitude
Listen then. my son." be began, = ha,
you really wish TO learn %
"Oh. yes L have indeed :" cried the boz
have read the ohatechism already. and
should know good deal more, but at hon
[ had always my little brother to carry. r
my mother was sick in bed"
Herr Richter suddenly formed bis resolr
, ton.
" Well then" be said ''ss you are a go'
boy. honest and industrious. will take 60
care Of you. You shall learn have pest .,