Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-05-26

don't take another nap now, there is lots e
do, and we must be there carly,
Elsle's sleepy eyes suddenly grew bright
and she was soon applying water prctt,
vigorously to her little person this wei
over, there were sundry knots to be tied
and pins to be placed, that Joe's clumsy
fingers were not used to, for Aunt Hannah
Sunday morning nap was not to be disturb.
cd.
"Now, for my shoes" said little Elsie
" but they look worst Of all, amt they
awful?'
Il don see anything the matter with
them, said Joe, holding up a now pair.
oh, these are not mine, are they, - said
Elsie.
"fes they are though, Miss Elsie. |
earned them myself" answered Joe Il little
proudly; so you can put them on Just Il.
quick as you We a mind to.
Elsie obeyed with considerable haste.
and after scanty lunch, they started of
in 2 very good humor
From this time Joe began to improve: he
was regular in his attendance at the school:
before this he had been very fond of play
ing truant and roaming about the streets !:
now he was up bright and early helping his
aunt and after school hours he did errands
Tor the shopkeepors 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 piasts, bringing prNations and suffering
/ to many an humble home; and Aunt Ham
nah work as hard as She would, saw pin
ching times.
One morning, after particularly scantv
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 a little; his aunt did not oppose him.
so taking his cap he dashed down the street
at a areakneck pace. As he reached the
corner OF broadway he halted a moment to
watch some boys who were trying to cut
behind passing stage: the driver happen
ing to spy them, cracked his whip back
wards, and the boy ran of rubbing their
heads and screaming Justify.
ou got it that time, didn't You p
| shouted Joe, as he turned to 90 up street.
just theu he looked down and saw some
thing black lying just off the sidewalk, all
most IN the gutter; he hit it with his foot
lrSt, and then stopping saw it was well
filed pocket book. How his heart bound
cd as he slid it into his pocket and walked
slowly on.
What shall l do?" thought Joe, "soma
~ "i"h hd9 ioSt II; anu never Ii mss 1t {;
what lots Of good it would do us, though;
wouldn't we have good times, and nobody
will know it. "
And then came a second thought: It's
not mine, have [ any right to keep it? God
sees me, too, and | never could look my
/ teacher IN the face again, never. | cannot
keep it, calculated Joe earnestly, but
! what shall do? | can't show it to Aunt
Hannah. "
Joe thoughta a moment, his face brighten
ed and he ran on. If he went directly home
his aunt would question him, so he trotted
on to store where he sometimes obtained
work
Now children that have always enough
OF everything, can scarcely form any idea
Of Joe 5 struggle What would have been
Il simple act Of justice in such a one was
+ perfect heroism in Joe
Through the long morning he worked
! steadily, and before noon he 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-thoueh not
before he had discovered that it was well
tlled with bank notes, and on one side was
a letter addressed TO Simon Archer No. -
West Forty-second Street.
There, that must be the man S name"
thought joe I'm ask my teacher what
to do. -
Full of this idea he started off down tho
street, slowly for him, for he was thinking
what to do next. when some one CLAIMED
him on the shoulder, and pleasant voice
asked
How are you getting on, sir?"
Joe looked up III astonishment it was his
teacher.
oh, | am so glad to see you, 7 want to
ask You what to do and he told all about
hls finding the pocket book, and the name
in it. lie did not keep back anything, not
even his temptation to kcepit.
wei, my boy, you We done nobly; now
would advise you to take it to the man,
and see If it belongs to him, and if not, |
will advertise it for you, Here is my adj
dress, if you wish to see me ut any time.
$50 goodbye for the present.
1t was late in the afternoon hen Joe
started for Mr.. Archcr's, as he knew most
business men were not at home until then
lie was not long in finding the place, Il
handsome brown stone front, and he felt
little timid as he rang the bell.
Presently Il servant appeared and Joe
asked:
Can I sec Mr. Archer ?"
-, w hat can you want with him, ! should
like to know said the girl Grossly, CLAN
cling down ut his patched clothes.
Il want to speak with him, if you
please replied Joe with some spirit.
well, I'll see.
Joe waited on the steps, and in a mo-
ment a pleasant looking elderly man came
out and inquired his errand.
Have you lost anything sir?'' asked Joe
cautiously
"Well, should rather think I had; but
what do you know about it, boy ? have you
found Il pocket book?'
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 Il see about this; when
did you find it ? | want to know all about
it. 4"
Joe told his story in straightforward
manly way, and Mr.. Archer listened in 81
lcnce,
"Now, my boy, what sent you here? was
there letter in it directed to Simon Arch
Ell, and five hundred dollars, in bank
bils?"
'Yes, sir, it is all right" and Joe hand
ed it over,
Mr. Archer counted the money over,
there was not dollar gone, then he CLAM
ced at Joe torn cap and patched clothes,
and said;
"Well, sir, | am glad to see that you are
an honest boy, and if you will come to my
counting room, No. = Broadway | can
oiya Won n nlaca wbpra Won con do hattar