The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-11-03

solved, If he lived on sea-weed, he would
pay bis way. by degrees he increased
his stock, and was so punctual and civil,
that the warehouses ne dealt with lei
him have better stock on credit lie
now worked harder than ever. and soon
he managed TO have full pack, and to
drive smart trade.
One morning, he came to pay e., and
to have fresh stock. A young man in
the wholesale shop had just been TO the
bank to fetch. G3O0 Seeing Mike ia
haste to be served, the shOpman laid down
his money on the counter, and forgot il.
! When Mikes parcel was packed, the
notes somehow got rolled up with his
goods Away went Mike at his smartesi
pace with his pack on his back, and never
stopped till he bad gone twenty miles.
Then being at pOpulous village, he began
TO open and look over his stock. Lo and
behold there was the three hundred
pounds. Mike had never seen more than
Two or three one pound notes in his life
time. He rubbed his eyes, and wondered
nightly how in the world the money got
there. lin in luck!" said be, 81 needn't
suffer the hunger, or the toll any more !:
carrying this weary pack for miles and
miles, in all weathers, and sure there's a
power of bad weather. It's mostly hot,
or cold, or wet, that ] am-year in and
year out. / can now go TO America.
There's ship sails tomorrow morning
from Waterford. I'll 60 in her and buy me
farm out yonder, and make myself com>
foriable.'' With these words, which
call the derTs vhisper in his ear, poor
Mike went TO bed He could not sleep
there he lay hot and tossing. Ah, how
different from The sound sweet sleep of
honesty. 1t was a strong teIGptation !;
but Mikes love for honesty, like a good
angel, did battle with the evil one. The
money is not mine" sounded in the depths
of his soul ITO take ii is TO rob. SIme
one, may be, is, even now, in bitter trou
BILE about it. And yet didn't steal it,
| don't know how it came into my pack.
Why should l throw up such luck 2"
Somehow he thonght of the little noun
tain spring, and tsShall be ashamed TO
look myself in the face p SAID he
"never. God helping me, never p
Up he got and away-twenty miles
honest tramp. Foot-sore, yet light of
heart, he entered the store. ''Why, Mike,
what brings you here again, so soon? |
thought you had made all your market
yesterday" said the owner as he looked
at him 'FTrue, sir, but ! am come TO
ask. did you lose some money yesterday"
Yes, the poor young man was suffering
a 4. L Il fhot
day to have been examined about the
matter If he had been proved guilty, he
would certainly have lost his place and
his character Mike opened his pack and
at once restored the money.
Was that all Mikes history! No
the owner of the shop was so pleased,
that he offered, if Mike new any town IN
his walk where shop in hi. trade was
wanted, to put Mike into i, and stock t
on credit for him. There was place
Mike knew of where there was good
opening. With all speed house was
taken, shop opened, and Mike was es-
tabIished. The blessing was on him and
be prospered. He paid for his stock, his
trade increased, he made money--and
what was the best of all, made it hOHrst!y,
There came time when Mike could buy
a farm, not in America, bot in his native
land. In the Encountered Estates Court
there was the very land TO be sold on
which he had worked. as a herd boy, and
where the clear bright we'll was that had
in former days served Mike as looking
glass, and given him as we have seen,
more than one good reflection. Was it
not Joy that when he called it his own,
and looked into its clear depths once more,
instead of being ashamed to see his face,
he could remember without blush, bis
friend the pedlar's words
"An homes. man s the noblest work Of Godl''
Thy purse had better be empty than
filled with other folks money. Knavery
may serve turn, but honesty is the best
in the end.
UNCONSCIOUS HERoISM.-One dark