The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-06-28
An Unexpected Friend.


= Wv H'''s VI e'pi ~
ct must be, my child /" said the
poor widow, wiping away the tears
which slowly trickled down her wasted
checks. There is no other resource.
l am too sick to work, and you cannot
surely see me and your little brother
starve. Try and beg few shillings,
and by the time that is gone ] may be
better. Go, Harry, my dear-I grieve
to send You on such an errand, but it
must be done
The boy, noble looking little fell
low of ten years, started up, and
throwing his arms fondly around his
mothers neck, left the house without
word He did not hear the groan of
anguish that was uttered by his parent,
as the door closed behind him; and it
was we'll that he did not, for his little
heart was ready to break without it.
1t was by-street in Philadelphia, and
as he walked the street to and fro on
the side walk, he looked first at one
person and then at another, as they
passed him; and the longer he waited
the faster his courage dwindled away,
and the more diflicultit was to muster
courage to beg. The tears were run
ming fast down his cheeks, but no one
noticed them, or if they did, nobody
seemed to care; for although clean,
Harry looked poor and miserable, and
it is common for the poor and misera-
bic to cry.
Everybody seemed in hurry, and
the poor boy seemed quite in despair,
when at last he spied a gentleman who
seemed to be very leisurely taking a
morning walk. He was dressed in
black, wore three-cornered hat, and
had face that was mild and benig-
nant rs an angels Somehow when
Harry looked at him he felt all his
fears vanish at once, and instantly APP
preached him. His tears had been
flowing so long that his eyes were
quite red and swollen, and his voice
trembled, but that was with weakness,
for he had not eaten for twenty-four
hours. As Harry, with low, falter-
ing voice, begged for little charity
the gentleman stopped, and his kind
hear. melted with compassion as he
looked upon the fair countenance Of
the poor young boy, and saw the deel
flush that spread over his face, and
listened to the modest, humble tones
that accompanied his petition.
"You do not look like boy that has
been accustomed to beg his bread,
said he, kindly laying his hand on the
BOYS shoulder what has driven you
to this step?'
Indeed, " answered Harry, his tears
beginning to flow afresh, indeed
was not born in this condition. Blu
the misfortunes of my father, and the
sickness of my mother, have driven m'
to the necessity now,
"Who is your father? ?" inquired the
gentleman, with still more interest.
INV father was II rich merchant O
this city, but he became bondsman iol
a friend. who soon after failed, and he
was entirely ruined. lie could no
live after this loss, and IN one month
he died of grief, and his death wa
more terrible than any trouble. M,
mother has, until now, managed L
support herself and my little brother
by her labor, and l have earned wha
4 | could by shoveling snow AMI othe
work that | could find to do. bu
MONT before last mother was takel
very sick, and she has since become s.
much worse'-here the tears poure.
faster than eyer-"l do fear she Wi
die cannot think of any way in tn
world to help her. | have not ha'
any work to do for several weeks
have not had the courage 10 go 10 al,
of nv mothers old acquaintance. ar'