Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-08-15

lin cap She wore when she was well, the
yellow neckerchicl and patched cotton
gown, looked ut MI like the splendid
white lace veil, and silk mantle, and
flounccd wooden dress ol the other; but
though her eyes were not SO full OF happy
love, but OF sorrow, and her mouth had
tremble in it more like tears than smiles.
| looked mt her aS earnestly rs | had
done at the lady, and listened, when she
spoke. with NIL my ears.
"But. Bob," she said, gently and sadly,
"thc bracelet isn't yonrs TO SELL
but mother, replied. al didn't steal
il. There it lay on the ground, and the
lady was gone, and | couldn't find her
now il | was 10 seek all London vcr,and
we want-you wan!--so many things |
ana sure the lady would not mind Us hav.
ing 1t, if she knew
Perhaps so, Bob; but she doesn't
know, and il isn't yours"
"What must do, then, mother?'
Give it her back
But don't know where she lives"
You must find out"
WAS goiug To ask, "llow can | ?" when
she stopped me shoit by saying
You tell me gcntlcm IN left the lady
nj the crossing; probably he was going
to his business You must go back. and
look out this afternoon u. every pasScr by
till YOU see him--hc may come that way
homc-and then YOU may ask him where
The young lady lives. that YOU may re-
tuln her bracelet"
How clear and easy the way OF duty
seemed to bc whcn my mother showed
it wonder did no, see it before. l5n,
YOU see, Ben. | hadn't wished TO see. |
WAS very much disappointed that might
not keep the bracelet for myself. but of
course | couldn't disobcy mother. low
ed her SO well that | couldn't think OF
that. lor she has been dear good mother
to me.
TO make u long story short, did see
the gentleman again that night. lie
looked very much surprised when asked
il hc could tell where The young lady
lived who had white lace veil. 50 | told
him why asked and he called me good
honest lad.
81 am the ladyS husband" he said
"but YOU will like 10 give her the brace
lei yourself, SO come along with me and
you shall see her"
went with him, but when she thanked
me and put gold sovereign into my
hand. aud praised my honesty, | put the
ten shilling piece back upon the table,
and told her was not honest and did not
deserve larthing
Not honcSt?" she said, in surprise.
Il think you must be honest, my poor
boy. You might have sold my bracelet
lor ever SO much money, and should
never have known it.
Its my mother that's honest, ma'am,"
| said, 81 thought OF selling it, hnt she
wouldn't let me-"
And who is Your mothcr?"
Ann Slater, maam.'
Where does she live ?"'
told her, and the gentleman. turning
TO the lady. said, 1--WE must 20 and see
her, Amy
The next day they came, and made
their way to our poor little attic, when
was at my crossing. and ut night, when |
got home, mother was sitting up in bed
with little color in her checks, and
brighter eyes than she'd had in many n
day, and she called me 10 her, and said {:
Nov, Bob. didn't tell YOU God
would find II way IL help you, II
you'd be honest and patient, and trust
Him He's opened way now. The
gentleman is going to put you i'll his OF
fee and have You taught to read and
write. and the young lady has sent me .
doctor, and when I'm well enough. we're
10 leave this attic and go TO better lodg.
ings. Isn't God good TO us?''
81 could say very little in reply, though
my heart was full, for knew | hadn't
deserved to lie rewarded. But deter
mined TO do my duty for the future in ev-
cry possible way and | can say now,
Ben, that | have tried in every way 20
keep my promise.
We wen, to better lodgings, and |
went to the situation, and in n year or
two got on we'll enough to support
mother and myself in comfort. And now
I'm going to Australia with money in my
pocket, and good situation waiting me
till get there. and my poor old mother,
asleep in her berth below, going with
me to the new land, because she and |
would not be parted in this life. Isn't
that much better than if I'd sold the
bracelet TO old Isaacs for six shillings or
so. and !aken my first step in crime ?"
"All very well for YOU" said Ben
"But suppose you had got nothing by re-
turning the bracelet, and had been left
at your street crossing to this day, what
should you say thcnP | once found a
bank note for twenty-five dollars. and
took il TO the owner, and got nothing but
thanks. Now, | might have kept the
the money and been twenty dollars
richer. They say 'Hones;y's the best
policy but if they mean by that you al
ways get rich by being honest, they're