South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-08-23
All About q Brick.

a we'll known citizen of New York
relates an incident somewhat in this
wise: "One bright morning in the month
OF November. somo years ago. was pre-.
pairing TO 90 down town. when the ser.
want informed me that n man was wait
ing q. the front door TO see me.
Toll him I'll be down i'm moment"
said l.
On going TO the door a man Of tall
stature and robust appearance. calling
me by name requested assistance. say.
ing that he had a large family, "a wife
in delicate health, and no means 10 pro-
cure food for them.
"You appear to be strong and heal.
thy. why don't you work." asked I.
simply sir, for the reason that can
not procure work"
Not having any work to give him. I
thought I would test tue sincerity of
his intentions.
If give you work, what pay do you
wantf"
Anything. sir, you choose to give mo
SO long as can obtain means for my
suffering family
'Vciy WE'LL said l. II will give yon
twenty-five cents an hour if you will
carry brick on your arm around the
block FOR FIVE hours without stopping"
Thank you, sir; l will do it,
| After hunting awhile | found q brick.
placed il on the mans arm. started him
on his walk, aud then went down town
TO my business.
Not having the least faith in the mans
promise, thought but little more of il.
| yet rs knew l should be back within
five hours, determined to see IL he per.
formed his work. My business kept mo
away rather later than | expected so
had to forego my usual walk home, and
took Fortl-avenue car to be back with.
/ in the five hours.
As l approached the corner OF the
street where l reside found q great
crowd of persons gathered. two fire en-
gines, hose-cart. and hook and lad.
der truck. Upon inquiring where the
fire was, was informed that it was a
false alarm. and that what brought the
people together and occasioned the agi.
tation was the spectacle of tall man
carrying brick on his arm around the
block for nearly five hours. The neigh.
bors were looking ut him from the win
dows and doors as lie passed along !;
some thought he wan crazy, but when
| spoken TO his answer was:
! Don't stop me; it's all right
As he interferod with no one, he was
allowed to walk on undisturbed,
Where is The man?' asked.
| There you can sec him at the other
end Of the block, walking with his head
down. was the answer.
He was just about turning the corner
and | waited till he had performed the
circuit, then taking him by the arm,
marched him to my house. followed by O
lot OF boys. In the meantime the iiremen
engines aud hose cart ratified Off The
manvas thoroughly tired out when took
him into my hall and seated him on a
chair. and my servant went for little
wine and something TO eat. paid hin
a dollar and a half. He informed me
that, while making one OF his turns. a
lady came out Of house and inquired
| why he was carrying that brick, and Or
giving her the reason he received dol
lar. The object soon became known
for as he passed The houses small sums
we're given him by different persons, and
he was well satisfied with his days work
But said he, what shall do to-mor
row?'
Why replied, go early in the
morning 10 the houses from which yor
received the money and ask for work
and no doubt you will find some onc
who will put you in the way Of getting
IL then report TO me-
The following afternoon he informed
noe that lac had been sent to German
who kept pork establishment in Third
avenue and who wanted q clerk 10 keep
bis books. lie was to get Eve dollars
week If his work proved satisfactory
and bis duties began on the following
day. Before leaving me he asked 70
the brick which had brought him suct
good luck. and I gave il TO him. With
IN the year ascertained that the maj
had been transferred TO larger estab-
lishment Of the same kind with a salary
Of one thousand dollars.
Three or four years after this I wa
riding ia street car. when n well-dress
Ell man aecosted me with o smile ane
asked me if knew him. Seeing me hes
tate. be said
DO you recollect the man who one,
carried the brict2'
lie tben informed me that be wa
doing prosperous business On HE owr
account bad laid up money and expeote,
10 bnild himself house no town.
What became OF the bricli2' inquired
That brick. sir. has always occupie,
place on our mantle.piece. and WI
value 10 - the most precious Of our lit.
! tic possession which made our fortune.
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PAYTNG FOR STOLEN RrDE.-Or
{ NE 9Th inst a coIorcd man Of N,,rnf,o,