The union Democrat., 1871-10-21
valnc Of a Penny.


of age. He was dressed in a Ozark smock
frock that hid all his under apparel, and
would have seemed to have been made for a
person much taller than the wearer. His
boots were smothered with dust from the
highway. He had on an old bat with black
band, which contrasted strangely with the
color of the covering of his head. A small
bundle fastened to the end of stick, and
thrown over his shoulder, was the whole of
his equipment. As he approached the Man
| siou House he paused to look at the building,
and seating himself on the steps of one of the
doors, he was about to rest while; but the
coming in and going out Of a half q dozen
persons before he had time to unite his bun
die made him leave the spot for the next
open space, where the doors were in part
closed.
Having taken from his bundle q large
quantity of bread and cheese, which he SEEM
ed to eat with ravenous appetite. he anus
ed himself by looking at the bundle before
him with all the eager curiosity of one unae,
customed to similar objects.
The appearance of the youth soon attracted
my curiosity, and gently opening the door, |
! stood behind him without his being in the
least conscious of my presence. He now be-
gan rummaging his pockets, and after great
deal of trouble, brought out n roll of paper,
which he carefully opened. After satisfying
himself that a large copper coin was safe, he
carefully put it back again, saying to him.
self. in low voice "Mother, | will remem-
Der your last words-'a penny saved, is two
pence earned 1t shall go hard with me be-
fore part with you, old friend"
Pleased with this remark, gently touched
the lad on the shoulder. He started, and
vas about to move away. when l SAID
"My good lad, you seem tired, and also q
stranger in this city"
Eyes, sir" he answered, putting his hand
to his hat. He was again about to move
away.
"You need not hurry away, my boy"
observed. "Indeed, if you are stranger,
and willing to work, can perhaps help you
to find what you require"
The boy stood mute with establishment,
and coloring to such an extent as to show all
the freckles of sunburnt face stammered
out
Yes, sir ~
81 wish to know" added, with all the
kindness of manner | could assume, "wheth-
er you are anxious to find work, for | am in
want of youth to assist my coachman."
The poor lad twisted and twirled his bun
die about. and after having duly placed his
hands to his head, managed to utter an awk-
ward kind of answer that he would be very
thankful
l mentioned not word about what had
heard in regard to the penny, but inviting
him into the house, | sent for the coachman,
to whose care | entrusted the new conner.
Nearly q month had elapsed after this
meeting, and no conversation had occurred
when | resolved to make inquiries Of the
coachman regarding the conduct of the lad
"a better boy never came into the house.
sir, and as for wasting anything, bless me |!
know not where he has been brought up.
but really think he'd consider it q sin if
he did not give the crumbs of bread to the
poor birds every morning."
81 am glad to hear SO good an account"
/ replied.
"And as for his good nature, sir, there is
not servant among us that does not speak
well of Joseph. He reads to us while we sup,
and he writes all our letters for us. Oh, sir,
he has got more learning than all of US put
together and what's more he doesn't mind
work, and never talks about our secrets after
he writes our letters"
Determined to see Joseph myself, request
ed the coachman to send him to the parlor.
81 understand, Joseph, that you can read
and write.
Yes, sir; thanks tony poor dear mother. :"
"You have lately lost your mother, then. !"
"a month that very day you were kind
enough to take me into your house, an un-
protected orphan !" answered Joseph.
"Whcre Gid you 90 to school?'
"Sir, my mother had been widow ever
since can remember. She was daughter
of rho vil1aOa Sohool,poetar ,rI
maintain me and herself with her needle,
she took the opportunity of her leisure mo-
ments to teach ne to read and write, and to
cast mp accounts"
"And she gave you that penny which was
in that paper that saw you unroll SO care
fully at the door ?''
Joseph stood amazed, but at length replied
with emotion. and a tear started from his eve.
Eyes, sir it was the very last penny she
gave me-"
"Well, Joseph so satisfied am | with your
conduct that not only do | pay you months
wages willingly for the time you have been
here. bnt must beg of you to fulfill the dur
ties of collecting clerk to our firm. which sit
uation has been made vacant by the death Of
very old and faithful assistant
Joseph thanked me in the most unassum-
ing manner, and | was asked to take care of
his money. since / had promised to provide
him with suitable clothes for his new occupa-
ton.
1t will be unnecessary to relate how, step
by step, this poor country lad proceeded to
win the confidence of myself and partner !;
the accounts were always correct to penny.
At length he had saved sufficient sum of
money to be deposited in the bank. 1t so
happened that one of our chief customers,
who carried on a successful business, requir
ed an active partner. This person was of
eccentric habits, and considerably advanced
in years. Scrupulously just, be looked to
every penny. and invariably discharged his
worknen if they were not equally scrupulous
in dealing with him.
Aware of this popularity of temper, there
was no person | could recommend but Joseph;
and after overcoming the repugnance of my
partner. who was unwilling to be deprived
of so valuable an assistant. Joseph was duly
received Into the firm of Richard Fairbroth-
ers & Co. Prosperity attended Joseph in
this new undertaking, and never suffering a
penny difference to appear in his transac-
tons. he so completely won the confidence of
his partner that he left him the whole of his
business, as he expressed it in his will, "eyen
to the very last nenny