The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-01-16
Annsehula aEnrds.
THE LUCKY LOAF.


poor man and his son, little boy, sat by
the way5ide one evening The father took
out loaf of bread which he had bought in
she town, and broke it and gave half to his
boy.
mot SO, father" said the boy; " l shall
not eat until after you, You have been
working hard all day for small wages to sup
port me, and you must be very hungry |
shall wait till you are done"
"You speak kindly, my son." replied the
pleased father; "yOur love to me does me
more good than my food; and those eyes of
yours remind me of your dear mother who
has left US, and who told you to love me as
she used to do; and indeed, my boy, you
have been great strength and comfort to
me; but now that have eaten the first
morsel to please you, it is your turn to eat. "
Thank you, father but break this piece
in two, and take you little more, for you
see the loaf is not large and you require
more than l do"
Il shall divide the loaf for you, my boy
bat eat it l shall not l have abundance;
and let US thank God for His great goodness
in giving us food, and in giving US what is
better still-cheerful and contented hearts.
He who gave US the living bread from heaven
to nOurish our immortal souls, how shall He
not give US all other food that is necessary
to support our mortal bodies ?"
The father and son thanked God, and then
began to cut the loaf in pieces to begin their
frugal meal. But as they cut one portion
of the loaf there fell out several large pieces
of gold of great value. The little boy gave
shout of joy, and was springiug forward to
grasp the unexpected treasure, when he was
pulled back by his father.
my sou, nay son '' he cried, "dO not
touch that money; it is not ours"
"Bat whose is it, father, if it is not ours 2"
81 know not as yet to whom it belongs
but probably it was put there by the baker
through some mistake. We must inquire.
Run"
but, father" interrupted the boy, you
are poor and needy, and you have bought the
loaf, and the baker may tell a lie, and"
II will not listen to you, my boy. l
bought the leaf, but I did not buy the gold
in it. Ifthe baker sold it to me in ignorance,
I shall not be so dishonest as to take sdvan-
tsge of him; remember Hin who told US to
do to others as We would have others do to
US. The baker may possibly cheat US. l
am poor indeed, but that is no sin. If we
share the poverty of Jesus, Gods own Son,
0. let US share also H. goodness and His
trust in God. We may never be rich, but
We may always be honest. We may die of
starvation, but Gods will be done, should we
die in doing it. Yes, my boy, trust God and
walk in his ways and you shall never be put
to shame. Now run to the baker and bring
him here and 1 shall watch the gold until
he comes"
So che boy ran for the baker.
Brother workman" said the old man,
{. YOU have made some error and almost lost
your money!" and then he showed the baker
the gold, and told him how it had been found.
lis it .hine?" asked the father; "lf it is,
take it away"
my father, baker, il very poor, and"
''Sileuce, my child; put me not to shame
by thy complaints l am glad we have
saved this man from losing his money"
The baker had been gazing alternately
upon the honest father and the eager boy,
and upon the gold which lay glittering upon
the turf.
Thou art indeed an honest fellov," said
the baker, land my neighbOr David, the
Aaxdresser, told but the truth when he said
thou vert the honestest man in our town.
Now l shall tell thee about the gold:-A
stranger came TO my shop few days ago,
and gave me that loaf, aud told me to sell it
cheaply, or give it. away, to the honestest
poor man whom knew In the city. l told
David to send thee as a customer thig morn
ing as thou vOuldst not have the Loaf fer
nothing, l sold it to thee, as thou kn9west,
for the last pence N thy purse; and the loaf
with all It's treasure--and certainly it is not
small--is thine, and God grant thee bless
ing with it.
The poor father bent his head to the
ground, while the tears fell from his eyes
His boy ran and put his hands about his neck
and said:
II shall always, ike you, my father, trust
God and do what is right; for 1 am sure it
will never put as to shame"
THE gospel of Christ does not make men
melancholy, but fills them with JOY if it be
received as it should be; for it Is glad It'd