Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-02-22
THE HELPING HAND,

house in Versailles. Anthony's impor-
tunitics were very annoying, and to rid
himself Of these, rather than with de.
sire to help the beggar, he always be.
slowed triAe in charity.
One day in summer, on reaching the
barrier, he found Anthony, rs usual, ex-
ercis ing his lungs TO the utmost, voci-
ferating loudly, For the love Of heaven
/ besto your aims on poor man, messi-
eurs et mesdames; the smallest triae will
be gratefully received" In the midst Of
his outcries, r middle aged gentleman
stopped and looked at him. The gentle
man had a pleasant face and was hand
somely attired. and the beggar instantly
continued louder than ever his proclama-
sion Of poverty and need Of help.
"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the stranger,
"what are making such Il noise for!
there is no need Of begging u.less you
choose"
"Monsiour is pleased to JEST" replied
Anthony.
"By no means; was never more SER
ious," replied the other. You lead an
idle life, and 1t is wrong"
"But have no other means Of getting
my living, said Anthony.
care you lame?"
ono, monsieur"
care you blind?"
"No, mons ieur."
"Well, you are not deaf, and certain
y not dumb; as any one half mile Off
can testify. Now listen to lesson from
my experience. | was once 5eggar, but
the scales fell from my eyes and in time
abandoned SO disgraceful a business.
left Paris, and went into the provinces,
where ! begged old rags, and soon collect
ed enough to sell AT a good price to pa
per-makcr III Paris. [ continued these
efforts until I was able to buy rags 10 sell
again, and, by diligence and perscvcr-
ance, at length became rich enough
to purchase an ass with two panniers.
Through honest toll, my business con
! tinueG to increase, and see the results, |
| 0Wn two houses on ene Of tbs best streets
! in Paris and have 10, 600 crowns year.
But rememb ber" aud the old gentleman
put in an exclamation point, in the shape
Of an emphatic forehnger on the nose Of
Anthony. "my success came through
honesty. All 1 can add Is "go thou and do
| likewise. Here is crown to begin with
it is moro than had but if you prefer
your present life and | find you hero next
week, shall report you to the police"
With this threat the stranger departed
| leaving the youth and the beggar in
state Of am0zement. Indeed the latter
was 50 bewIderad that ho stood, With the
crown in his hand, his eyes and mouth
wide open, gazing intently at nothing.
| Suddenly he dartcd away, and was never
seen again in the guise Of Il bcggar.
Many years after this the young man
had business in town, and stroling
through the city, heentercd booksellers
shop to purchase book that had called
forth considerable criticism. Three or
four young men were busiIy engaged, |
while stout, weIl-0ppearing man was
giving orders, with the air Of u proprio-
tor.
His face was very familiar to the new
conner, but it was not Until he spoke that
Anthony and the bookseller were idcnti-
cal The recognition was mutual, An
thony graspod the young mans hand and
led him back into well furnished parlor
and then gave him his history, from the
time they parted at the barrier.
lie said he had followed the Strangers
advice, bought rags with the crown, and
was prosperous. lie finally became the
partner Of II paper manufacturer, and
married his daughter, and could now
count his ten thousand year.
"That man was a true bonetactor,"
continued Anthony. "But for HIM my
earthly end might have been like the
beggar Lazarus in the Bible"
Hardly" replied the young man,
smiling, "you wero like the fellow who
fell among thieves. You were stripped
Of common sonso-a goodly raiment to
hold on to, while | was like the Leyite.
| came. and looking at you, bestowing 4
weekly pittOnce to help confirm Incidence,
and then went on, leaving you in the
mud. But that stranger was tho good
Samaritan-he gave helping hand and
and dragged you out Of the mire. -
ChicGgo 4titaHoe.