Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-26

Gsre Us th1s dag our da1tp brsad" Now let
that be our prayer and the Lord will provide
for u.s." Aud they sang that beautiful little
song, commencing
| " God Is rich though we be poor,
J Kings have wealth. but God has more
| In bis hand is food for all
| Every day will mama fall"
As the time passed on Fritz said to Martha
that they might as we'll cut the watermelou.-
They could eat slice or two then, aud save
the rest till they got to Dresden
No, indeed, answered his sister, 4" / think
we can eat the pears and sell the watermelon.
You have given it to me, aud you want me to
eujoy it. but | would rather sell it, and then
the money will be of far more use to Us"
An officer who was standing some distance
behind them heard the conversation He then
came around in front of them, and said:
Is your melon cheap, my little man?
wond like to buy it if you will sell it at rea
soDable rate"
Yes. sir, and no sir" answered Fritz.
There was young gentleman here awhile
ago who wanted it very much. If sell it at
all, | suppose | ought to let him have it. But
the fact is, don't want to part with it.
I" sh my sister to have it for there's nobody
on the steamboat who likes watermelons ml re
| than she does"
am glad to see your kindness to your
sister, my lad ; but if you could get n large
price tor your melon, think yon would be do
Ing more for her than if she were TO eat it -
Now, will take your melon to the back part
OF the steamboat and put it up at auction
! I ou know what an auction is, | suppose
I mean, | will sell it 10 the one who will pay the
most tor it'
| Ihat ko rl,t - u :,
ard Martha at the same time 1.-The melon
isn't worth twenty five cents, and We couldn't
think of taking more than that"
But the officer INSISTED on their trusting the
whole matter in his hands So he took The
melon and went back TO where the rich pas.
sengers were. He stepped up on a stool, and
said. smiling: Ladies and gentlemen, heark
en- momcut # you please. Who of you
wishes the largest melon in Saxony2 If
followed NY own in nation | would have
bought it for myself but it belongs TO peas
ant boy and girl. | want to see them paid
well for their property. Now who bids ? A
watermelon always rises in value as quick silver
goes up III the thermometer. / will start the
sale myself A half dolar--balf! half! going!'
The passengers rose up from their seats
Some ladies had been sleeping, but all were
wide awake at the Cffcer's funny speech.
Now, Baron Warder, what will you bid p
continued the aucl!oneer, us he turned aside
and spoke 10 a fat old gentleman who was al
most melting from the heat
"One doar' said the Baron.
Three dollars .' said the mother of Charles
aud Louise
Five dollars !! shouted the old Baron.
Six p said his opponent.
"Trn dollars !" cried out young man,
Nobody answered him.
TEN dollars for this watermelon !" said the
aucIioneer-'' ten dollars is all have for this
great luxury. You know, ladies and gentle.
! men, that it belongs 10 peasant boy aad girl
! They have no parents, aud are strangers in the
world VINO bids eleven dollars Ten dollars
soirg, going
"Twelve dollars" said the old Baron, whose
heart was as big as his body. Then the officer
made another little speech TO the people and
somebody bid higher still. At last the water.
melcn was struck off 10 the old Baron, how.
ever, at the large sum Of t,renty three dollars
Now, did you ever hear Of such price for a
watermelon before? l am sure | never did
The old gentleman paid for the tneon in
silver dollars and the officer thanked him
and the aUctoneer vas invited TO Gu. it up and
divide it with those who bad hidden for it
Now" said the Baron, further, take two
good slices TO the peasant boy and girl When
you have done this, you can baud them their
money"
Fritz and Martha, who were at the bow OF
boat, were peeping back all the while 10 See
what was going to become of their watermel-
on. And when the officer went forward to
them with the two slices and twenty three
bright dollars, they could rot believe their own
eyes They refused to take it at fist. They
had never seen so much money before, and
thought that no king had more than that
amount But he officer insisted and at last
Fritz took it and tied it up 10 his red hand
kerchef
Now, Martha, come with me a minute"
said the officer, you can return again in
very short time"
He then led her back to the wealthy people
where he had sold the melon. He stepped up
on the stool again and said:
Ladies and gentlemen, there is nothing like
finishing thing wher you 60 abont it. When
we stopped al Chandau this girl came down
to the boat to see her brother, who was the
owner of the watermelon that we have been
enjoying But unluckily the steamboat start
ed of before she stepped ashore. So she is
here without home. Perhaps some lady
would like to take her into her family as house
girl. You can judge for yourself as to wheth>l
er she will suit or not"
The mother OF Charles and Louise was
needing girl very much, and she questioned
Martha as 10 what she could do. By and by
the bargain was made. She was to live in
Dresdren near where her brother was to he
gardener. Her wages was to be good, and
she was to have privilege Of seeing F,itz when
ever she wanted. Thanks to the kind officer.
Trnly the Lord r zas fria ndS uhan Nv least