Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-03-23

their books on an old lounge by the win
dow.
Well she muttered, it won't hurt 'em,
anyhow, and they're only still and out of
mischief. that's worth somet2pg.'
Now, if the truth must bs told, Joe,
like most boys OF his age, was a great
tease; and if no way of bothering Aunt
I Hannah or Elsie suggested itself 10 his
fertile brain, he was pretty sure to pounce
upon the eat and keep up commotion
in some way so its no wonder his aunt
felt relieved.
From this time Joe began to improve /:
he was regular in his attendance at school;
before this he had been very fond of play
ing truant and roaming about the streets /;
nov heswas up bright and early helping
his aunt, and sitter school hours he did
erraDds foT the shopkeeper around the
coTI'e' and earned many dime that was
nos q: lily saved TO buy comfortable
ciotLes :vr the Winter.
Autumn faded and Winter came with
its icy blasts, bringing privation and suff-
ering to many q humble home snd Aunt
Hannah, work hard as she would, saw
pinching times.
One morning, after 8 particularly scam
u breakfast, Joe proposed to his aunt to
stay at home and try TO find some work.
He thought he could get some odd jobs
and help little; his aunt did not op-
pose him, so taking his cap he dashed
down the street st breakneck pace
As he reached the corner he halted 8
moment 10 watch some boys who we're
trying to cut behind passing stage the
driver happening to spy them cracked
his whip backwards, and the boys ran of
rubbing their heads and screaming Justly.
You got it that time, didn't you,'
shouted Joe, as he turned to go up the
street. just thon he looked down and
saw something black lying just off the
sidewalk, almost in the gutter; he hit
it with his foot first, and then stopping
down he saw it was well-flled pocket
book. How his heart bounded as he slid
II into his pocket, and walked slowly on.
What shall / do, thought Joe, some
rich man has lost it and never'n miss it
what lots of good it would do US, though;
wouldn't we have good times, and nobody
viii know it,
And then came a second thought, It's
not mine, have l any right to keep it,
God sees me, too, and never could look
my teacher in the face again, never. 1
can't keep it, calculated Joe earnestly.
But what shall do? l can't show it to
Aunt Hannah Joe thought moment,
his face frightened, and he ran on. III
he went directly home his aunt would
question him, so ne trotted on to store
where he sometimes obtained work.
Now children that have always had
enough of everything, can scarcely form
any idea Of Joe's struggle. What would
have been simple act Of justice in such
a one, was perfect heroism in Joe.
Through the long morning he worked
steadily, and before noon ne had earned
enough to buv loaf Of bread aud bit of
meat; with these he ran of home, and
gave them to his aunt, slipped into his
little bedroom and mid his treasure;
though not before he had discovered that
it was well filed with bank notes, and in
one side was a letter addressed to Simon
Archer, No - West Forty-second st.
There, that must be the mans name
thought Joe. 'I'n ask my teacher what
to do
the street, slowly for him, for he was
thinking what TO do next, when some one
clspped him on the shoulder, and a pleas
ant voice said How are you getting on,
cir e -=----
Joe looked up, it was his teacher.
o Pm so glad to see you, want to ask
you what to do; and he told all about
his finding the rocketbook, and the name
IN it. he did not keep back anything.
not even his temptation to keep it.
Well, my boy, you've done nobly; now
would advise you TO take it to this man,
and see if it belongs to him, and if not
wilradyertise it for you. Here is my ad-
dress if fyou wish to see me al any time,
SO goodbye for now.
Il wss late in the afternoon when Joe
started for Mr.. Archer's, as he knew most
business men were at home until then
He was not long in finding the place, a
handsome brown stone front, and felt a
little tirnid as he rang the bell. Can't
see Mr.. -ArcherP he asked of the servant.
What can you want of him, I'd like TO
know said the girl Grossly, glancing
down at his patched clothes.
Iwant tospeak with him. If YOU please,
replied Joe, with some spirit.
We'll, I'll see.' ..
Joe waited on the steps. and in mo-
ment pleasant looking elderly man came
out and inquired his errand.
c Have you lost anything, sirf' asked
Joe, cautiously.
Well, l should rather think had
but what do you know about it, boy 2
have you found q pocket-book z
Yes sir, have will you please des-
cribe yours think this must be it,
said Joe, grasping it tightly in his pocket.
Come in, and we'll see about this !;
when did ron find it I want TO know
sll about it, !
Joe told his story in q straightforward
manly way, and Mr.. Archer listened in
silence.
Now, my boy, what sent you here
was there letter in it directed to Simon
Archer and Eve hundred dollars in bank
bills ?
Yes sir, its all right. and Joe handed
it over.
M. Archer counted over the money,
not dollar gone, then he glanced at Joe's
torn cap and patched clothes.
Well. sir, Pm glad to see you are an
honest boy, and if you will come to my
counting room, No. - Broadway, / can
give you place where you can do better
than you seem to be doing now and
here is something for present wants.
handing him twenty dollars y now don't
forget the place
Thank you sir; didn't expect any
reward, only done what thought was
right
That's it; always stick to that, and
you'll be sure to prosper said Mr.. Arch
er briskly; now. my lad, shall look for
you in day or two.'
Joe carried light heart home that
night, and when he told the story to his
aunt and Elsie they could scarcely credit
it /; twenty dollars was quite little for
tune to'them.
Well, the result of it all was, Joe got a
good situation, and is now in fair way
to make an active, upright business man.
Aunt Hannah and Elsie are seeing bright
er days, and ell are learning to put their
trust in the GiYer of all these mercies :;
while Dick Duncan is spending q few
months now in the House of Correction.
EULA LEE.