The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-09-12

LUX 1uEucI, iuSSeus lltIiS tViio" VI
twelve years. with no father and mother
in the world, and no home to call his
own, was standing at the corner of one
of the most crowded thoroughfares in
the city Of New York He never had
seen his father, and his first recollection
of his mother was of a pale, sad woman,
who was always sewing, and who would
often, GO out at dusk, to return home
with . heavy heart and light purse. And
many a time their supper was only pint
Of milk and pennyworth of bread for
the two so that Dick was quite used to
going to bed very hungry. s
Sometimes he would make few pen
nies for himself by running on errands.
and then his mother would say Z: ''Who
knows, Dickie, but that some day you
may make fortune for Us, for the lord
mayor of London was once only poor
lad like you But he heard the great
bells Ginning, calling him to hope and
work, telling him be should live to rule
the great city. and sure enough 1t came
true,
But Dicks poor mother grew wearied
of her sewing She was taken very i'll,
and one dav they buried her out Of
sight and Dick found himself all alone
in the great world. One good woman, a
friend of bis mothers, sheltered him for
while; but she was sent for over the
seas, and then Dick had to sleep where
he could, and was thankful Tor any OF
the leavings from some KIND bakers
cart, or for supper rom any good wo
man who would take pity, seeing his
.pinched face aud sorry appearance
But one thing always cheered hir, no
matter how lonely he felt Whenever
he heard the great bells Ginning he re
membered his mothers words about the
lord mayor. of London, sho was once a
poor boy like himself.
l..ow it happened just as he was stand
ing at the corner Of the street, feeling
very forlora and buugry,tae bells began
to strike up q joyful tune; and Dicks
heart bcgan to beat, too, as he thought,
and spoke aloud 10 himself: II onl,
want q chance to do something, and
will do it with all my might" 9a7{ =.
Now Dick had got the right idea. 1t
is catching the chance and being on the
look out for it that makes success 10 life !;
and the. slqggsrd is the one to let the
golden opportunities pass without seiz
ing them, complaining all the time that
sshe has no good luck :" Dick was q
plucky little fellow; be began to whistle
lively tune, keeping time with the bells.
Just then he saw pass an elderly look
ing gentleman, who pulled out hastily
from his pocket large white handker-
chief, aud with it rolled out, right at
Dicks feet, q stout pocket. book The
old gentleman went on, not noticing his
loss Dick 8 heart began to throb as he
picked up the pocket-book "What
could he not do. With all the money! ~
He turned it over and oyer, held it tight
ly in his hands as ii creading to part
with it. But it must be done, however
hard might be the effort: iS .
He ran after the old gentleman as fast
as he could, fearing the temptation to
keep 1t would be too much for him. and
held It out at arms length, saying:
aThis belong to you, sir; I saw il fail
from your handkerchief"
The old gentleman lifted his spectacles
a little, held bis head back, taking as MI
mute a survey OF the boy as if measuring
him for new suit of clothes which. un-
happily, poor Dick had never won in
his life, saying: H.You are an honest
lad. Where do you liver" But as Dick
had no home in particular and failing to
reply, the old gentleman forgot his affec.
tionate Inquiry, and opening his pocket
book, gave the boy a dollar, with the
patronizing words: s'You are an honest
lad" Never mind, Dickie You9ought
to have had ten; but this one is to be
your golden egg, and precious as lift
was Aiaddin's lamp itself.
Wien Dickie was left standing alone
again at the corner Of the street, he took
off his poor apology for a cap and began
to wave 1t triumphantly. The psssers
by did not notice him much, all too in
tent upon their own business snow"
thought Dick, "here is, first, chance
for dinner -" So he went and bought ten
cents worth of good hot soup and some
bread, and soon found himself feeling
very comfortable and happy, strolling
down by the busy wharf. aias
q Presently q large sign caught his eye {:
Bound for Havana, brig Pilgrim. Sails
this day p. n "a O'Clock. All hands on
board at 8 O'clock" $50 a4 lisiae
Dick thought: "Now I have got nine
" cents, can GO anywhere. guess l
will try this" So boarding the ship
from the wharf, he soon found the cap
tain, rough, ,good-iiatured looking man,
who called out when he saw Dick: I:
"Clear the deckl No boys allowed
here!'' ao055
q This was rather damper But plucky
Dick, remembering the ninety cents in
his pocket and that "money goes great
way," thought it might, perhaps go as
far as Havana.