Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-28

he tried to think what he ought to do;
whether he should go directly to Mr..
Bisbee and tell him or to the fathers of
the boys, but finally decided to wait and
ask mother.
! He was sure she would know just what
would be best to do
There had been, although they knew
it not, a silent spectator to this scene
Screened from observation by the close
growing evergreens stood Mr.. Weston,
the new minister, and he had seen and
heard all distinctly After Diminishing
the congregation he came up to little
Sammy, and taking him by the hand, his
ragged shoes Notwithstanding, began to
talk to him in very friendly manner
He asked him his name, where he
! lived, and in fact before they separated
he learned much of the child's simple
history, and when, in very kindly tone,
he babe good-by" he said: ASK
your mother if you can come to see me
tomorrow evening. l have something
that l wish to say to you," and again
bidding him "good-by" he left him
standing alone, wondering what the new
minister could possibly want to say to
him.
The next evening Sammy was prompt
ly at the house of his new friend, who re-
ceived him kindly, and after few mo-
ments spent in pleasant conversation he
asked; would you not like to earn
some money to help your mother?"
ooh, | would like to so much; but
what can do?" and the child's face was
radiant with animation and delight, for
he felt that the new minister was about
to help him solve that difficult problem
that he had puzzled over so long and so
earnestly.
He had often got a little odd job to do,
but it did not last long; and then he was
such LITTLE boy that men did not want to
pay much for his services.
"Well, will tell you what you can
do. Mr.. Bisbee's errand boy has gone
away to school, and he wants to get
good trusty boy to fill his place over
heard your conversation yesterday with
those wicked boys about the ragged shoes
and the pocket-book, and thought that a
little boy who could resist evil when the
temptation was so great was really a no
bic little man, and as I had heard Mr..
Bisbee say only the evening before that
he wanted a small boy to do errands I
thought 1 could safely recommend you
for honesty; and | have seen him to-day
and informed him of the matter of the
pocket-book, and also secured the situa-
ton for you. You are to get four dollars
o week to begin with. Now what do you
think of that, my little man?"
Sammy could hardly realize that he
was not dreaming. Four dollars week,
and all his own! Selling the hand of his
kind friend, just as he did his mothers
when he was overjOyed, he stammered
out, not formal expression of thanks,
but his overfowing, unbounded delight,
with true boyish frankness and impetu-
osity.
And so the matter was settled, that is,
of course, subject to mothers approval,
and Sammy ran home with light feet to
tell the good news.
AS he anticipated, she most heartily
approved, and thanked God for making
her boy good and truthful, and also for
sending them such good, kind friend
That night Sammy's dreams were all
mingled in blissful confusion of bright
colored dresses, hoods and shawls, which,
l am happy to add, did not end in
visions, but really took tangible shapes,
and Want, meager and grim, was slowly
but steadily beaten from their door.
After Sammy had become little used
to his new duties Mr.. Weston very kind
ly offered to spend an hour each evening
to help him in his studies, in which he
took much interest, and consequently
made rapid advancement.
With the increase of experience came
an increase of wages, and he was, before
many months, able to supply the needs
of the whole family; and he often said
to his mother that it was all because he
went to the Sabbath school that day in
his ragged shoes. "-He0rh and Home.