Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-04-08


FORE" said his aunt as he came back.
well, you see, aunt, I want to ask if e
. sic and can't go to Sunday school,"
"Go to Sunday SCHOOL," exclaimed Aun
Hannah in astonishment. What on eartI
put that in your head How do you expec
to get clothes to wear 1 am sure it is NOR
than can do to fill your mouths, let alone get
ting Sunday fneries."
" Oh, we don't want any ineries, we can b.
clean and decent, aHd that is enough"
+" Well, suit yourself; but don't see wha
you want to go for, for my part"
Joe did not wait to hear anything more, but
bounded off to tell Elsie the good news
Elsie, Elsie, " called Joe, the next Sunday
morning, bright and early. "Come, don't
take another nap now, there is lots to do, and
we must be there early" Elsies sleepy eyes
suddenly grew bright, and she was soon ap-
plying cold water vigorously to her pretty lit
tie person this well over, there were sundry
knots to be tied, and pins to be placed, that
Joes clumsy fingers were not used to, for
Aunt Hannah's morning nap was not to be
disturbed.
"Now, for my shoes" said Elsie, " but they
| lOOA "OtSO Va all nlus tnOy AWFUL IuouSu
e I don't see anything the matter with
them" replied Joe, holding up a new pair.
| Oh, those are not mine, joe"
Yes they are, though, Miss Elsie. I
earned those myself" Joe answered, little
proudly SO you can put them on Just as
quick as you've mind to-" Elsie obeyed with
considerable haste; and after a scanty lunch,
they started off in very good humor.
From this time Joe began to improve he
was regular in his attendance at school be-
fore this he had been very fond of playing
truant and roaming about the streets; now
he was upabright and early helping his aunt,
and after school hours he did errands for the
shopkeepers around the corner, and earned
many dime that was now carefully saved to
buy comfortable clothing for the winter
Autumn faded, and winter came with icy
blasts, bringing privation and suffering to
many an humble home; and Aunt Hannah,
work hard as she would, saw piDching times.
One morning, after a particularly scanty
breakfast, Joe proposed to his aunt to stay at
home and try to find some work. He thought
he could find some odd jobs and help little !;
his aunt did not oppose him, SO taking his
cap he dashed down the street at a breakneck
pace. AS he reached the corner of Broadway
he halted moment to watch some boys, who
were trying to get behind passing stage
the driver happening to spy them cracked his
whip backwards, and the boys ran off rub
bing their heads and screaming Justify.
You got it that time, didn't you :" shouted
Joe, as he turned to go up the street. Just
| then he looked down and saw something black
lying just off the sidewalk, almost in the gut
ter; he hit it with his foot first, and then stoop
ing saw it was a well-flled pocket-book-
How his heart bounded as he slid it into his
pocket, and walked slowly on.
What shall do" thought Joe, some
rich man has lost it, and will never miss it !;
what lots of good it would do US, though !;
wouldn't we have good times, and nobody will
know it."
| And then came second thought ' It is
not mine, have any right to keep it? God
sees me, too, and never could look my teach
er in the face again, never. can't keep it, :"
calculated Joe earnestly. g But what shall I
do? can't show it to Aunt Hannah" ice
thought moment, his face frightened, and
he ran on. If he went directly home his aunt
would question him, so be trotted on to a
store where he sometimes obtained work.
Now children that have always enough of
everything, can scarcely form any idea of Joe's
struggle. What would have been simple
act of justice in such an one, was perfect hero.
ism in Joe.
Through the long morning be worked stead
lily. and before noon had earned enough to
buy loaf of bread and meat with these he
ran off home, and giving them to his aunt,
slipped into his little bedroom and safely hid
his treasure-though not before he had dis
covered that it was well filed with bank notes,
and in one side was letter addressed to ST.
mon Archer. No.-West Forty-second
street There, that must be the mans
name," thought Joe. "TIl ask nay teacher
what to do"
Full of this idea he started off down the
street, slowly for him, for he was thinking
what to do next, when some one clapped him
on the shoulders, and a pleasant voice said,
g How are you getting on, sir?"
Joe looked up, it was bis teacher.
'Oh, I'm so glad to see you, want to ask
you what to do ;" and he told all about his
finding the pocket-book, and the name in it.
He did not keep back anything, not even his
temptation to keep it.
Well, my boy, you have done nobly now
1 would advise you to take it 10 the man, and
see if it belongs to him, and if not, I will ad
vertise it for you. Here is my address if you
wish to see me at any time, so goodbye for
now"
| 1t was late in the afternoon when Joe start
ed for Mr.. ArcherIs, as be knew most business
men were not at home until then. He was
not long in finding the place, handsome
brown stone front, and he felt little timid as
be rang the bell. "Oan l see Mr.. Archer ?"
he asked of the servant.
"What can you want with him, would
like to know p said the girl Grossly, CLAN
cling down at his patched clothes.
81 want 10 speak with him, If you please"
replied Joe with some spirit.
Well, I'll see."
Joe waited on the steps, and in a moment
an elderly man came out and inquired his err
rand.
Have you lost anything sir ?" asked Joe
cautiously.
Well, should rather think l had; but
what do you know about it, boy2 have you
found pocket-bOOk?"
Yes, sir, 1 have will you please describe
yours think this must be it," said Joe,
grasping it tightly in his pocket.
" Come in, and we will see about this !:
when did you find it want to know all
about it."