Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-11-21
GAortester 4uiIp sur.
GATHERING AS IT GOES.


fashioned Thanksgiving morning 4 fall OF
snow the previous night was JoyfuIly welcom-
ed by Il juvenile party in one of our northern
cities, some of whom were enjoying the sport
of snowbelling each other while others had
by their united exerlions, formed snow ball,
which by its magnitude excited lie wonder of
the younger spectators.
There was, however, one amongst the crowd
who gazed at the snow ball with the eyes of a
philosophers man Of the world say Il
man, tor though Joe Climber had not yet seen
his twelfth birth day, he was perfect speci
men OF the precocious street boy, whose intel
lect had been matured by hunger and sharpen.
ell by necessity. He had Obtained from the
Servant" to whom his application had been
made through the area OF the ratings, an
order to clear away the snow from tie door
steps and, having compete ted the job to his own
satisfaction, was now, while waiting Tor the
remuneration OF his labor, watching, with a
combination of childish interest and cool cal
culaton, the progress Of accumulation in Tie
snow bail as the boys rolled it to and fro in
the snow.
1T grows bigger and bigger every turn, -
said the little fellow, to himself, as be leaned
contempatvely on his broom, CHATS the
way to get to be great man"
The attitude and something III the features
OF the young spectator attracted the notice Of
MI NlduioiSJ ltlt CIV llel bl me muse, WHO
was standing at his parlor window al the mo.
ment, and by his order, servant minated TO
the ragged sweeper that he was to come in to
her master, who wished to speak TO him
Somewhat sur, riSed but nothing daunted he
followed the servant into the hall and having
carefully deposited his shovel and broom on
the door mat marched directly into the parlor
where he was told he would find Mr.. Mauds
ley.
1t would not be easy to imagine more
striking contrast than that which the poor un
washed, intended hall naked and halt starved
Child offered to every object in the picture to
which he was suddenly introduced. A tat
tered old iustian jacket, tied for want Of but
tons, round the waist with a piece OF pack
thread, partly concealed an inner garment of
dingy hue and dubious material loose cordur
oy trousers, made originally for full grown
man, but tucked up around the legs to accom-.
MEDIATE the diminutive stature OF the actual
wearer; pair OF thick solcd worn out brog
ans, and shapelesS roll OF something like black
CLOTH which served ordinarily tor a cap but
was now twisted up hard between his hands.
completed the costume OF little Joe as he stood
digging his hob nailed boots into the Turkey
carpet, in the center Of the room, facing the
pleasant looking man who had sought this in.
terview. Notwithstanding The novelty of his
situation Joe retained his selfpossession and
GOODNESS, aud having by a keen glance examin-
ed the countenance Of Mr.. Maudsley, and be-
ing apparently satisfied with the result Of his
investigation, lie made rapid but curious re.
view OF the contents of the loom, commencing
with the French clock on the chimney piece,
and ending with the piano, over which hung
the portrait OF the fortunate proprietor of all
these things, smiling and looking upon them
with an expression OF expansive good nature |
such at that moment ditfused itself over the
features Of its original, while examining the
odd specimen of humanity before him.
NV bats your name, my little fellow 90
asked Mr. Mandsley, opening the proceedings
III strictly business manner and this re
minds me have not yet informed my leaders
that he was banker-an honest and indeed
excellent man, with a heart large enough at
least for dozen ordinary men.
"What is your name, my little fellow -
"Joe Climber, sir"
"WhO is your father 2"
"Never had father, sir-leastwise never
heard had one. Pm mothers child"
your mother, then, where is she z"
"Gone dead three years next New Years. !
sir. She had me aud two sisters younger
than me to keep. She worked at making
shirts all day and all night often, but she
eouldn'tget living out Of it, and so she died .
"What then became of your sisters g"
"Ihey were taken 10 the poor house, and
they told ME they died too"
"Why did you not go with your sisters -
"Well, sir, didn't much like it. | thought !
had rather be independent" said the little |
fellow, with resoute air.
"Independent," repeated Mr.. Maudsley, |
looking increduously at the child "What on |
earth could you do?"
ooh, please, sir, could do lots O. things |
First | went into the nooS line, aud sold papers
but that didn't pay me muffin TO speak Of |
and | was nearly starved aiOre lett it then |
took to sellin' apples, oranges, and vegeta.
bles OF all sorts and when there's a fall Of
snow have plenty of work, scraping afore
the doors, and get well paid TOR il, too
"Since you have told me so much of your
life, Joe, tell me what you were thinking about
when saw you just now watching with such
a serious face the making of that snow ball in
the street. for you were thinking OF something
more than the mere collection OF quantity of
snow ''
Joe turned his keen eye for a moment on
his questioner, and appeared to hesitate then
he replied with something like knowing |
twinkle Of the eye.
81 was thinking that chap who wants to
get on in the world ought to be like the snow
ball-aways gathering as he gees"
'True, quite true" said Maudsley, smiling, |
''but it is rot to worldly wealth alone that i
maxim applies the mind should be equally |
diligent in the acquisition OF knowledge and |
virtue, without which the possession OF riches |
adds nothing to mans happiness. Ifh would |
be truly great he must be truly good. Pa
tience aud perseverance are his handmaids-
truth, justice, and humanity lie in his path
the wise man makes these as his own, and |
gathers peace and happiness he goes.
There was something in the manner in
which these few words were spoken which |
sank into the child's heart. He uttered not
word, but Mr.. Maudsley perceived that he ielt
what had been sad and he secretly determine
ed to make an attempt to rescue the poor out
cast from his degraded position.
The little fellow was by his direction mme.
datey placed in the hands OF servants, and
by the application Of soap and water, combs
and brushes, and an entire change of costume
for suit Of Master Mandsley's clothes, was
shortly transformed into respectable looking
boy Being thus rendered presentable, he was
introduced into the kitchen, where lie quickly
inglatated himself with the members OF ''lhe
lower house" by his obliging manners. His
stories of life among the wandering tribes of
New York were immensely relished, and his
limitations OF some of tue fancy young men
were declared by the cook and housemaid to
be equal to play.
The Thanksgiving dinner at Mr.. Maudsley's
was great affair; Tor large party of the re.
latiOns on both sides of the house had assem-.
bled on HE occasion, There were the three
unmarried sisters of Mr. Maudsley, two rich
maternal uncles-who, being bachelors, were
looked up to with great respect by the family
"a married brother of Mr. Maudsley, with
his vile and five children Mr. Maudsey IS