Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1865-09-21
THE LOST PURSE.

A friend related to me o simple stOryi hot
long since which think is worth telling over.
The parties of whom he spoke were near by,
and It was the presence of the hero that called
the circumstance to mind. ....
Abel Morton was youth of about seven
teen. His mother was a widow, and he an on,
ly child. They lived in n small hut in the
outskirts Of the village, and were very poor
During the long, cold winter, the widow had
been quite sick, SO that Abel had been obliged
to spend most of his time with her. The
youth had never learned any trade, as various
circumstances had combined to prevent his
leaving home He worked whenever he coulc
get work to do, and thus far managed to iind
food enoughto keep himself and mother alive
though they suffered much with cold
AS the spring opened Abel tried to find
work but was not successful He picked W
a few odd Jobs now and then, but the proceeds
were barely sufficient to purchase enough O
the coarsest, cheapest food, Clothing they
could not buy and poor Abel began to feal
that he must beg suit of clothes, or, wha
was worse, leave his mother But the lattel
he could not do ...
One afternoon he went into the village ane
spent several hours in hunting for work, bu
he found nothing to do. Some seemed 7!
turn him away because he looked 50 ragged
while others said they never employed an,
one outside Of their own households.
Faint and sick at heart, Abel turned hi
steps homeward. He left the village, and wa
turning into the marrow lane that led to hi
home, when he detected something peculia
mon the roadside He picked It up, AM
found it to be small knit purse. 1t wa
quite heavey, and the jingle Of the content
was too sharp and clear for copper.
The poor youth did not stop to open it then
for It was already dusk, and he knew his moth
er would be anxious. So with strangel
beating heart hurried homeward. He entere
the little room where his mother was sitting
and sank down in u chair, ,.
"Alas! no work." the widow murmuied, a
she saw the cloud upon the boys face.
"No," he replied, II tried .'l all ' around @ 0u
it was no use. ..-,., -,
"Never mind, Abel. God is good. "
shall not suffer as those who do not trust
Him." ..,.
"But how does He help US, mother? aske
Abel in faltering voice.
an many ways, my son. He has preserve
to ME a true and virtuous child, and has bel
us clear from many sufferings which aiiilt
our fellows. Look ut Mrs, Tyndal; see hel
with all her wealth, suffering tortures that
would not suffer for worlds. See her onl
son, poor, miserable inebriate, and in priso
for drunken crime. For what would we el
change our noble consciousness Of right an
honor?' si aGiy pi7lsIe r!Hal i'i
Abel made no reply There had been SOM
thing bearing down heavily upon his sou
something which lay in his pocket, and sci
forth serpent song of plenty But the loa
was removed. He drew the purse from h
pocket, and laid it on the table by his side.
'.What is that,' said the widow; as she hear
the sharp clink of the coin. ~ ir'r
IA purse. l found it on the road" a
| "Found it7 Oh, did you find itY" ~.
"Yes, my mother In, the road just at tf
turn of our lane. Itlay in the footpath.'
A candle was lighted, and the purse em
tied. 1t contained twenty silver half dollar
"Ten dollars" whispered Abel. "Perhal
we can find who lost it" ,si..s III.
"Isn't there some name on the pursey' aske
his mother. ,a,a .ig WI 5..1y
She took it as she spoke, and upon the j
side of the. clasp, which was lined with rt
morocco, she read, aJohn Thompson" III
John Thompson was one Of the wealthie
i men in the place. He owned a very lart
farm, and, besides suIplyinga large amou
of milk to customers, he raised large guam
ties of garden sauce and fine fruit, which
sent to neighboring city. .,.,s
l "Oh, how easily he could spare III" viii
4 pered Abel. at would be no loss to him, !"
''That is so, in measure, my SON. sa
the widow, solemnly "He would not be Il
1 less, but zoe should lose--oh, how lnuchf
awe, mother?'
'tAh, my boy. Should you keep this,
should we keep it-where would our honor b
The next time you met Mr.. Thompson you
fear to look him in the face, You could n
look at him with the happy consciousness
your own innocence. There would be tai
I upon your character-a sting In your SOUL
oh, would you keep it, AbelY'
mo, my mother, would not No, no
: III o.-.--- i,- " .''.p - - a. q q
r-,8naj 8 a57c bga Ris 0'ioo a}as'
f. tryy yS,..'y az Dacn tnIs very nIpnt..
q fou might wait fill ,,,orrp