The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1872-07-27

had two arms instead of one, he would
get him into the shoeblsck brigade. j oe
coiored, but quickly recovering himself,
answered: please, sir, 8 willing mind
s-equal to another arm" ,.s,.,~r..,.s - +
The gentleman smiled, shook his head
and trotted off. Poor Toe put up his
hand to the remains of his arm it had
been amputated just above the elbow in
consequence of an accident; II only
wish l had to do all could do with one
arm, he murmured. He wandered up
and down the streets the air was grow
ing colder and colder; he vas very
hungry, but he passed the temptations
OF bakers and cooks shops, tightening
his fingers more closely on the little
coin.
II may get something for mother l
have another penny" murlnured the
boy He cntered bakers shop and
asked Tor penny loaf, lay ing down his
three -pence,-Snch fat, july baker,
rolling and laughing behind counter
piled with cakes and dainties, looked in
mis- pale, pinched face, blush fran cold
"Only a penny loaf New Years night,
my little man? Well, there it s.''
Joe took it up as the baker took up
the coin he fixed his eyes on the boy,
and said, steruly, "You are young to
follow so bad n trade this is bad
muuey"
Bad money" repeated Joe. 90, sir,
had it from kind gentleman for hold.
Ing his horse"
"Havc you no other money ?"
Another penny"
And why did you not pay for the
loaf with that Z"
Please, sir, | wanted change !; l
wanted to buy something ulorc for my
mother" and his large blue eyes filled
With tears.
,..,. y must keesi; that thEee nence. .Nhc
. shame for ageutleman to do such a
/ thing as to give bad money to u child
like that ~
Please, sir, know he didn't intend
it; he spoke kind to me ;;ghc didn't
know it was bad, F"
The jolly baker looked atteutively at
the little boy .-
Sec here, my lad, if you knew the
coin was bad, the sin will be heavy on
you; but | bcliev> you did not you
wanted food for your mother, aud you
would not let blame fall on the absent
two right things God help yyou,
child - he added, pityingly "you look
half starved Give. me back that loaf
aud here is a bigger one and, missis +.
hand over one ofthose ounces oftea and
half pounds of sugar we made-up for our
ppor customers and there's three penny
pieces for you, little one only always
look to your silver before you pass it in
futurew
Joe could not speak for quite a miu
ute he walked to the shop door, and
then turned back.
off you please, lou do not think l
knew that ~oney was bad :"
NO"
Thank you, sir, Pll-never forget it
never, sir" and giving vent TO one
large sob, he left the shop
There was fcasting in the widows ut
tic that night; to be sure, Joe was
obliged to make candle screen with
his hat, or the poor thin little candle
wodld have been blown out by the wind
that whlstied through the chattering
window /; but there was BLUSH cup of
] hnf wa,~- .-:.h H;.s;..... ,..,..
milk, and a tiny little fire; and there
was much thankfulness for what would
have seemed to many very small mercy
aud there was earnest prayer, and, hud-
diud under their scanty clothing, tho
mother and child slept soundly, and
woke in the morning co the conscious
ness that as the snow, having found its
way through the panes Of the attic win
dow, WAS heaped on the 1oor. and the
ncighboring roofs and chimneys were
like mountains OF dazzling white"
thore must have been a."heayy fall
during the night.
Were showed up, Joe" said the poor
widow 'aud the end will soon come !;
this cold will kill me-
"Not bit of it, mother" said little
Joe, cheerily, while moulding snow
ball out of the snow OH the floor.
l shall 20 out ASA suowyboy, while
you remain there, just aaI wrap you up,
y n - ~