Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-01
. But the Greatest of these Is Charity.


An Incident in the life of yonpg man in this
city came to our knowledge the other day. which
from the spice Ct romance il contains, as we'll as
an illustration of what u vast deal Of 'uod
slight hestowal OF charity sometimes does, makes
it worthy Of record.
rs t., 3uns c.clk nud friend were passing
hastily through Broad street, one chilly day in
November, few years ago, they snw standing
near the corner Of India street, M they turned
to go down tho wharf. u poor old woman, ihinly
clad, in n Gnliln dress, tattercl honuct and
shawl, holding on her arm IL small basket, in
which were II few uninvitng looking apples,
which she vainly offered to the hnrrying pedcs-
trians that passed her. Her stoGkngess feet
thrust into old slipperg, and n few threads Of
white hair scattered over her forehead, she stood
shivering in the keen searching wind, as our two
clerks drew near.
poor old woman T. said one as he approached
the poor creature, and with sudden impulse he
plunged his hand into his pocket and gtaspiug
every cent it contained, threw it into her basket
| The old wOman's God bless you followed him
on the frosty air as he rapidly passed away.
His companion, who witnessed the act, calculated
at the moment Of its performance r.
'Bill, you're fool 10 throw money AWAY on
| street beggars'
Perhaps am. sail the other, hut could
not help il; elft may lie nm imposlcr, but | do
| nOt believe it,
The next day the matter was forgotten, and
indeed might never have been remembered again
had il not been brought to mind in the following
manner
The next summer, Que day, as the young man
was busy over his ledgers in an inner counting
| room NJ his employers store, he was summoned
to the outer office by the message that some one
wished to see him. Going out he saw waiting
q fine looking sailor, in nautical costume, who
| eyed him closely as he appToaCheu,
Did you wish tn see me, SIR!
Is your name William --|
Yes, sir, that's my name
Blue eyes, light complexion, stands straight
speaks quick, said the sailor, half soliloquising
Yes, you must be the man, you LOOK just like
it, said the tar.
Just like what 2 said the young man, little
surprised.
why, I'll tell you. Overhaul your log and
tell me if you reeolleet seeing poor old woman,
about ten months ago. shivering with the cold on
Broad street, and trying to sell few apples to
keep her from starving, and you threw dollar
and half in silver into the basket and walked
on-you did, didn't you-yo can remember it,
can't you I? said the sailor, with feverish anxiety.
Somewhat staggered by the questioner's ankle
ty, it was moment or two before the young
man could collect his thoughts, when be replied
that he did reeOllect throwing some change into
a poor wOmans basket, but that the circumstance
had passed out of his memory.
'Ah, but she hasn't forgotten ! said the sailor,
warmly; but do you recollect what the man
that walked with you, said ? he inquired.
.Why yes, now that recall the circumstance,
| think | do lie said 'liill, what fool you are
to throw your money away.
That proves it, said the sailor joyfully and
dashing his hat on the floor, he seized the as
tonished young man by the hand, with hearty
grasp, saying:
God bless your soul, sir you saved my mo
thers life, you did knew you must be the
man. said he to tho astonished clerk, the mo
ment set my eyes on you. Why bless youl
generous heart, that poor old woman was my
mother said the sailor, a big tear at the SAINT
time running over his brown cheek.
Drawing his guest aside, the clerk learnet
that he was second mate Of q ship now in port
that he had been searching for his mother'
benefactor for nearly three weeks upon almos
every wharf in TINT part Of the city; during hi'
/ absence the winter before, he hal been taket
' sick in q foreign port his mother had met will
ms(ortunps, and had heard nothing from him
end was deprived of the provision he had mad
:, for her support during his absence; that, ex
Meeting to hear from hi nj she managed TO ok
out m existence till the chill month OF Novcm
her found her without food, fire or clothing, an'
4 had driven her to the street to procure them
that the handful Of change which the young maj
threw into her basket procured neoesshiles WI
other means fortunately reached her
In answer to the clerks inquiry as to wha
clue be had to direct him in his search, he re
8 piled
Ny mother marked you, sir, although yo
walked of so quicklyi and the description q
d the color of your eyes and hair and Of you
+ be;gbt arc correct Furthermore, she hear
y; vonr COMPANION call you 'Bill, anu eny qon'
~ thing about the wharf; no concluded you ma
be In A store on the wharf; 50 I've been int
every store OH the wharvcs where there were an
ls Williamp, aud overhauled about two dozen BILLS
ii but didn't run alongside ihe true 'bill IN
ID e,nnd YOU. sir. There concluded the sailo
that's my yarn felt could not rest easy I
thanked you-and that's what l called TO
NV old mother is well provided for now, al
Pm second mate of IL ship. God bless you, sill
L III never forget your name. aud may you neV
know what it is to be poor.-Boston Commerc'
Bulletin.