The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-12-20

was 50 rapid that in less than four
months he read fuenty. II world
have done you good too see bin
pouring over some favorite volume
his fue intelligent lace mirroring
every emotion Of his soul. IL seen
cd Us thongh no could never drink
deep enough at the fountcin OF
knowledge thus unexpectedly OPEN
cd before him aud he was never so
happy as when my father gave him
permission to spend an hour or two
in the library. Tho Bible however
was his favorite study. In one year
he committed to memory nearly the
whole Of tho Old Testament and
wonld often gather around him the
poor children Of tho neighborhood,
and repeat to them soma OF the
touchiny stories contained in it's sa-
cred pages. He learned to write. in
tho long mornings in summer, be-
fore his father was mp; AMI snrpris-
ed us one day with neat little let
ter, in which, in his simple way he
told us how anxious he was to do
something for his cwu and farther's
support. (He had long since ceased
to beg, but was nov entirely de-
pendent on the ladies' of our school
At his request small basket was
illed up for hin with such little
articles as were most likely TO find a
ready sale. A few tract and two
or three copies of tho New resta-
mont were added to his little stock,
and on the first day of ) ptember.
not quite three years after we fret
became acquainted with him, onr
youthful peddler set ont on his daily
round. with hopeful heart.
Oh how bright and beautiful
everything seemed to him that
morning With what honest pride
ho walked along the streats, think
ing of all that the products Of his
little basket would enable him to do
for his darling sister' and his poor
papa, who could not care for him
self Of course, every body would
hny his goods. They were 50 nice
DID any one ever sew with better
cotton or use brighter noodles And
the scissors, how pretty they l1oso |
in their cunning lii 10 cases. Be-
fore long he would surely be able
to return to the kinl Ia lios 0lLthe
money they had sp mt for him an|
1t last, when no should get to be Il
nan. perhaps he would grow rich
ma become Il gro,t merchant, an |
then he was sure there wonll be no
m ,ro poor little children begging in
the streets, for ho would take care
CT them all,
But Paul did not find il as easy
as he expected to dispose OF tie
contents Of his little basket There
were 50 meny, people selling euch
articles that he did not oftan ii
customers. Still his honest face
aud pleasant manner did much for
him, aud during two or three years
he earnod enough for daily use
just at this time | was obliged
to leave the city for month or two
and ! heard nothing from Paul dur
!ng nay absence, The day after my
return, however, he came, his face
beaming with delight and looking
50 perfectly happy that | kne"
something very fortunate must have
happened, What could it be
"Oh ! cried Paul, dancing around
lhe room, and clapping his hands
with delight, II am so glad that you
have come. 1t is so nice and pret.
ty that am sure she will be very
happy now Sha is coming al
three o'clock but want you to SOC
it first, 30, please, Madomoiselle, do
put on your bonnet and come with
me. Oh am SO glad am SC
glad Please come, Mademoiselle
Please come. come
The child stopped, fairly ont oI
breath, and l tried to fui out what
was so very nice and who was t.
come ut three O'Clock { but it was
Of no use, and nothing would do bu,
for me to follow the delighted boy.
We soon reached the miserable
tenement lie called his home. aud
opening the door, panl held me back
on the threshold, bidding mo look
before / entered, One glance OK
planned all The rough brick foor
had been newly painted and waxsd
and now shone like a mirror. A
clean white spread covere the be l..
fresh muslin curtains hnn, in the
windows, aud the humble abode hal
an air Of neatness and conf rt to
which it had long been n stranger.
Paul enjoyed my surprise Then
leading the way, he said, smiling
Nov this is n It all And | have
kept the best for the last See (!
lie opened the door of a little side
room, which had hitherto been filled
with rubbish. A neat little cottage
bed, with snowy counterpsne, Il
small painted bnreau. ana few
shelves, with half u dozen good
hooks, had transformed it colnplete-
ly and by tho open window, had
concealed by the curtain, stood Il
little work table, with a few fresh
tlowcrs IN small vase.
"rhis is sisters room. said Paul
his eyes glisteniny vi n pleasure
''and nov she may como and spend
Saturdays aud Sundays with me,