East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1866-11-29
THE HONEST BEaaAR BOY.
FROM TEE GERMAN.

tered the warehouse of n rich mer
chant, Samuel Richter, in Dantzic
and asked the bookkeeper for aims.
/" You will get nothing here sai'
the man, without raising his hea'
from his book-"be Off" +"
Weeping bitterly, the boy glide'
towards the door, at that momen
Herr Richter entered.
:" What is the matter here?" he ask
ed turning to the bookkeeper.
"a worthless beggar-boy," wa
the mans answer, and he scarcel,
looked from his work.
in the meanwhile, Herr Richter
glanced toward the boy, and remark
cd that when close to the door, tina
he picked up something
" Ha, my little lad, what is that yol
picked up?" he cried.
The weeping boy turned and show
ed him a needle.
"And what will you do with it?'
asked the other.
My jacket has holes in it" was
the reply. :" i will sew the big ones
Herr Richter was pleased with Tia,
reply, and still more with the boys
innocent, handsome face.
But are you not ashamed" said
he, in kind though serious tone
''you are SO young and hearty tC
beg? Can you not work."
All, my dear sir" replied the boy,
81 do not know how; and L am toe
little yet to thresh or fell wood. My
4 father died three weeks ago, and my
poor mother and little brothers have
eaten nothing for two days, Then
ran out in anguish and begged for
bread. But alas, a single peasant only
gave me piece of bread; l have eat
en- nothing else"
1t is customary for beggars by trade
to contrive tales like this; and this
hardens many heart against the
claims of genuine want.
But this time the merchant trusted
the boys honest face. He thrust his
hand into his pocket, drew forth a
piece of money and said: "There is
half a dollar: go to the bakers and
with half the money buy bread for
yourself, your mother, and your bro
Tiers, but bring the other half TO me" "
The boy took the money and ran
joyfully away.
Well" said the surly bookkeeper,
"he will laugh in his sleeve and never
come back again"
"Who knows?" replied Herr Rich
ter: and as he spoke lie beheld the
boy returning quickly, with loaf of
bread in one hand and some money
in the other.
"There, good SIR" he cried almost
breathless: here is the rest Of the
money"
Then, being very hungry, ho beg
ged for knife TO cut piece of bread.
The bookkeeper reached him in ST.
lence his pocket-knife.
The lad cut off slice in great haste,
and was about TO take bite Of it, but
suddenly he bethought himself, laid
the bread aside, folding his arms, re-
hearsod silent prayer; then he fell
to his meal with a hearty appetite
The merchant was moved by the boys
unaffected pietyt lie inquired after
his family and home, and learned from
his simple narrative that his father
had lived in small village about 4
miles distant from Dantzic, whore he
owned n small house and farm; but
his house had been burnt to the
ground, and much sickness in his fam
lily had compelled him to sell the
farm.
He had then hired himself out 60 a
rich neighbor; but before three weeks
were at an end he,Jied, broken down
by grief and excessive toll. And now
his mother, whom isorrow bad thrown
upon a bed of sickness, was with her
four children suffering the bitterest
poverty He, the oldest, had resolved
to seek assistance, and had gone from
house to house. then he had come to
Dantzic. The merchants heart was
touched. He had but one child, and
the boy appeared to him as a draft at
sight which Providence had drawn
upon him as test of his gratitude.
Listen, my son." he began, "have
you really wish TO learn?"
ooh, yes, / have indeed. / have
read the catechism already, and j
should know good deal more, but at
home I had to carry my little broth
ers while mother was sick"
Herr Richter's plan was immediate
ly. formed Fa 60
Well, then," he said, "if you are
honest, will take care of you, you
shall learn, have meat, and drink, and
clothing, and in time earn something
besides. Then you can support your
mother and brothers also"
The boys eyes flashed with JOY, but
in moment he cast them down and
said: "My mother all the while has
nothing to eat"
At This instant, as if sent by Provi-
dence, an inhabitont Of the boys ma
tive village entered the store and con-
firmed the lads story.
He willingly consented to carry the
mother tidings of her son Gottleib,
and food and small sum of money
from tho merchant. AT the same time
Herr Richter directed his bookkeepei
to write a letter TO The pastor of thl
village, commanding the widow to his
care, with an additional sum enclosed
to the poor family, and promising fur
/ ther assistance.
As soon as this was done, Herr
Richter furnished the boy with decen
clothes, and at noon led him to his
wife, whom he accurately informed O
little Gottleib's story, and of the plans
which ho had formed for him. Tn,
good woman readily promised hel
best assistance, in the latter, and sh,
faithfully kept her word. ~
During the next four wears Gottleil