The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-07-02
JOHN F. MOORE, Editor &c Proprietor
REWIRD or KINDNESS.
By H. =. W.

"Buy paper, SIT I! asKeu prlShI>
looking boy of a gentleman who was
walking musinly along one of the busiest
streets OF an eastern city, on chilly
day in November, some twenty years
since.
"No," replied the gentleman,
"If you only would sir )" mother is
sick and we need money so much" And
tear trinkled down the boys face as he
spoke.
Touched at his evident distress, the
gentleman said
"Well, believe | will take one, But
what is your name? And where does
your mother live ~
"My name is Charles Howard ,cir, and
we live in Longford Court. My father
died about five years ago, aud now there
are only three of us; my mother, little
sister and myself. And since father
died, between mother taking in sewing
and me selling newspapers, we have
managed to get along; but when she
got sick we ran out of money, and it has
gone very hard with US since"
"Ah, indeed! !" said the gentleman.
Then, as if some sudden idea had occur.
red' to him, he abruptly asked : "What
is your age? Have you ever been at
school Z"
II am twelve years old, sir. l went
to school before the death of my father,
and have for some time past been going
to night school near where we live,
until mother took sick, when quit"
"Well, Charlie, came near forget
ting to pay you for your paper here is
your money. Call to- morrow at VIII
liam Meredith e. Co.'s, No. g.
Street, and 1 will see what I can do to
still farther assist you. When you call,
ask for Mr.Meredith."
'"Thank you, sir will come" said
the boy. But the last words were lost
on Mr.. Meredith, as he had rapidly
resumed his walk when he had finished
speaking, thinking as he had done SO {:
"We Just need another errand boy,
and like the looks of this little fell
low very much. gave him gold
piece to try him; in the gathering
twilight he failed to notice the differ
encc between it and an other coin if
he is honest he will return it to me,
and he shall have the position"
Alter parting with Mr.. Meredith,
Charles continued to sell bis papers, and
fortunately had disposed OF them all
soon af:er dark, when he went home, up
three flights of stairs, into two rooms, a
large and a small one, both Of which
were meagerly furnished. A table
with one leaf, a few old chairs, two
old mattresses with scant outside covers
that showed scarcity of blankets, and
few dishes were all that constituted
their contents. Advancing to one of
these beds, Charles said
awake up, dear motherj | have good
news"
"What is it, my son ?" languidly ask
ed Mrs Howard.
He then related his meeting and
conversation with Mr.. Meredith, Of
which the reader is already acquainted
Happening to put his hand into his
pocket to get his money out to count it,
Charles pulled out the coin which Mr.
Meredith had given him it slipped and
struck the floor with o metallic ring
"What is that" said Mrs. Howard.
"a piece of silver, | suppose" said
Charles, evidently thinking it was moth
ing else.
"But it sounded differently from sill
yer, | thought; bring it here and lei
me examine it, Why! it is a five dol
lar gold piece? Where did my son get
it? | hope he has not been stealing.
"Indeed, mother, l did not know
had it until just now" said Charles re
ally as much worried about the matter
as his mother.
, "Can you not think you surel!
ought to know something about it, sale
Mrs. Howard.
After thinking moment, Charles
face frightened up as he said:
Il believe l have it; Mr.. MEREDITH
, must have given it to me through mis-
take. | will ask him in the morning.
" That is right my son. Honesty
e the best policy always; ever follow it
teachings, and you vii never be lc'
t astray."s
Mrs. Howard was Christian woman
Y and ever tried to instill in the minds c
her children those correct principle
h which we're enssential to make them nc
only good children, but which woul
extend throughout their lives, and max
5 them useful and worthy members of SC
y ctety.
n At eight o'clock on the next morning
t Charles made his appearance at NJ
! Meredith's place Of business.
h "Good morning, sir; how arc YOU