Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-07-20
VI is IIa v .
a STORY FOR THE LITTLE FOLsK.

Grandfather Picture.

hAtAiAAAaAANt = AtthAts
There once stood beside tLe high eat,
which leads into the city oi Dauzig. a smal
shop, where childrcn's toys were sold. II
was kept by an old lady who supported Der
family by selling toys. Size aii NOT have ,
great many Cf them, for she tii not Aav'
money enough to buy them Sac had few
picture books, some little W. lg- horses and
wagons that had lately been >.ut her from
Nuremberg, and some ht,.s bows and arrows
that she had bought from @ peasant.
This had been the old laIy's home from
childhood Her bedroom and kitchen were
back Of the shop, and every part Of the PIE
miscs was az familiar to her as we can pos
sibly imagine She was married when eIgh-
teen years Of age; but only few years
afterwards her husband died Ever since
then she bad foen compelled to support her
self by ceiling toys. AZ the time Of which /
am now speaking. she seldom had "a custom
er. Children who wanted TOYS went To
larger and finer stores 70 uay them. Some
times she had not enough money t. buy
loaf Of bread, and had 10 wait in great
anxiety until she could sell some little toy.
One day ~ aged man stood ly her shop
door and asked her 20 tell him where he
could find a certain street in the city. She
told him as nearly as she could. lie then
said
Il have NOT been in Dauzi- tor i1rty years,
thought was born here. How changed is
every thing remember this very little
shop where you are now, and ! can call to
mind the beautiful young lady whom | saw
here standing in the door when left Danzig
so long ago. Her face is distinct in memory
now
The old toy woman smiled and replied
Good man, that girl could have been on
one else than myself. for ] have lived in this
house for fifty years
s'Indeed, " replied the stranger, Il had
for a moment forgotten that people can
change as well as places. No wonder YOU
look old now | look old myself and 80 has
everybody changed in such q long space Of
time. Can you tell me about Peter Braun
who formerly lived in Long street? Is he
living or is Ee dead ?'
She replied II was not acquainted with
him, though | have heard great deal about
him. He died in the hospital
''ln the hospital - replied the aged
stranger, 'what a wonderful occurrence Is
that / know he never expected such a
thing. lie was the son OF Bernard Braun,
who was always regarded rs q very wealthy
man."
THAT may be all very true, replied the
woman who sold toys, "but he died very
suddenly, though he had been sick several
weeks, and had been taken 10 the hospital
because he had not money enough to provide
himself with the necessarIes Of life. His IA
ther died very much in debt, and Peter paid
all his debts. lie could haze kept enough
money to have placed himself in c0mtorta-
Portable circumstances. but he would not
DO 1t. for would it be deirauding his father S
creditors out Of their real dues. Peter Braun,
the son who died ,nas left son named John,
who is now a sailor on a vessel that goes to
the East lndies.'
As the aged stranger heard these wOrisn
B0ud seemed to pass ever his face. lie was
about to depart in haste, but turned round
rapidly and said Tell me where Peter
chraun is buried"
- In the Potter's Field, back Of St. Mary's
curch. " replied the woman.
The stranger seemed 10 have expected this
answer, and his eyes began 10 wander round
the walls of the shop. lie beheld an old
and faded oil painting which was nailed
over the door that led into the back part
of the house. lie went up closer to where
the picture was, and SAID b" W hat will yoL
take for that old picture -
oh said she IN reply, ' suppose it
is worth a couple OF pennies. To come to
the truth, she said. g | think 1t il actually
worth nothing. But If you viii give me
couple Of pennies you may have it.
She then got little broom and brushed
the dust of.
Now" said she. THAT ls q picture of a
man that looks pious and iri ndly If you
are not willing to give ne Two pennies then
will take one
The stranger laid down on her counter
Spanish silver dollar. and took the picture
down himself.
"Ah good man." she said, | can not
give you change for this great large piece of
money, for this is the first thing | have sold
fer three days"
GOOD woman he replied, Il don't
want any change This picture Is treas
ure to me and though l have given you
the last dollar have in the world, don't
feel dissatisfied with my bargain; for this
picture is the likeness Of my grandfather.
1t IS treasure for which | thank you.
lie hsstened off without saving or hearing
any more. The toy woman was more fright
ened than rejoleed, for she could not under
STAND that the man who seemed in good cir
eumstanees was really SO poor that he had
but one dollar to give for an old faded pic
ture. She feared that he would come back
and take away the silver dollar that be had
gwen her.
By and by he did come back again. His
face was flushed as if be had been drink
ing wine. He struck his fists powerfully
upon her counter; and the toy woman
thought that he would break ali her little
toys. and take away the dollar. But he vas
not angry. though he seemed to be so. lie
then said to her these words :.
GOOD woman, do me the kindness to
throw all your toys to the school children to-