Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-10-05
AN UNEXPECTED FRIEND.

at must be, my child" said the poor
widow wiping away the tears which trick
led down her wasted cheeks. There is
no other resource l am too sick to
work, aud you cannot, surely see me and
your little brother s,arve. Try and beg a
few shilings, and perhaps by The time that
is gone may be better. Go. Henry, my
dear; | grieve to send you on such an
errand.
The boy, a noble looking little fellow of
about ten years, started up. and throwing
his arms around his mother neck, left the
house without u word. lie did not hear
the gsoan OF anguish that was uttered by
that parent mother, as the door closed be-
hind him and 1t was well he did not, for
his little heart was ready to burst without
it. IL was in n busy street in Philadelphia,
and as he walked TO and iro on the side
walk, he looked first to one person then
to another, as they passed hiu,, but no
one seemed to look kindly on him, and
the longer he waited the faster his courage
dwindled away, and the more dlfiicnlt it
became to muster courage TO beg. The
tears we're running fast down his cheeks,
but nobody noticed them, or if they did,
nobody seemed to care; for although clean,
Henry looked poor ard miserable, aud it
is common Tor the poor and miserable to
cry.
Everybody seemed in hurry, and the
poor boy was quite in despair, when at
last he espied gentleman who seemed
to be very leisarely taking a morning
walk. He WAS dressed in black, wore q
threecornered hat, and had face that
vas as mild as an angel. Somehow, whea
Henry looked at him, he felt all fear van
sh at once. The tears had been flowing
80 long that his eyes were quite red and
swollen, and his voice trembled, but that
vas with weakness for he had not eaten
for twenty.four hours. As Henry, with q
low, ialtering voice, begged for a little
charity, the gentleman stopped, and his
kind heart melted with compassion as he
looked into the fair countenance O: the
poor boy and saw the deep blush which
modest, humble tone which accompanied
his petition.
"You do not look like boy that has
been accustomed to beg for Bread said
he kindly, laying bis hand On the boys
shoulder; what has driven you to this
step2'
Indeed" answered Henry, his tears
beginning to flow afresh, Indeed, was
not born in this condition. But the mis-
fortune of my mother, have driven me to
the necessity now.
'' Who is your father?" inquired the
gentleman, still more interested.
My father was rich merchant of this
city, but he became q bondsman for
friend, who soon after failed, and he was
entirely rained. He could not live after
his loss, and in one month d;ed Of grief,
aud his death was more dreadful than
any of our trouble. My mother, my little
brother, aud myself, sank into the lowest
depths Of poverty. My mother has, un
til now, managed to support herself aud
my little brother by her labor, and have
earned what l could by shoveling snow
and other work that ] could find to do.-
But MI ght before last, mother was taken
very sick, and she has since become worse,
so that here the tears flowed faster
than ever-"that do fear she will die, |
do fear she will die. cannot thiak Of
any way in the world to help her | have
not had the courage to go to any OF my
mothers old acqua' a'ntances, and tell them
that she had come to need charity. |
thought you looked like a stranger, sir,
and something in your face overcame my
shame and gave me courage to speak to
you. Oh sir, do pity my poor mother
The tears, and the simple moving Ian.
guage Of the poor boy, touched chord in
the breast of the stranger that was accus,
toned to frequent vibrations.
Where does your mother i've, my boy"
said he, in husky voice 81 is it far from
here p
"She lives in the las, house on the
stree, SIR replied Henry. "You can see
it from here, in the third block, aud on
the left hand side"
Have you sent for a physician p
"No, SIR said the boy, sorrowfully
shaking his head. 81 have no money to
pay for physician, or for medicine
Here said the stranger, drawing
some pieces OF silver from his pocket,
'here are three dollars. take them and
run INN edatsly for physician
Henry's eyes flashed with gratitude
received the money with n stammering
and almost inauiible voice, but with look
Of the warmest gratitude, he vanished