South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-10-28

HAS~'OuS RShutSS uttS4k Oe consumer
before | could add even one to their
number.
had always managed to clothe NV
feet decently, as matter both of pride
and of business, for knew that bare
footed boy is at a great disadvantage.
especially when making application
for steady place. A business man
is not apt to employ . boy with even
the appearance of an idle vagabond.
If another, more respectable-looking.
offers his services. This knew. and
accordingly kept myself as neatly
clothed as possible.
My boots had given out, and, if
worn as they we're much longer, would
be beyond repair. Then could not
replace them for less than two dollars
and half. For dollar, however.
the shoemaker engaged to fix them,
and make them .better than new,'
which I knew they really would be.
at least as TAR as durability was con-
cerned.
They were finished, and had seen
and admired the Workmanship but
the time that would probably elapse
before | could redeem them almost
made me regret having parted with
| them.
/ emerged, one morning, from my
sandy bedroom, and while [ helped
the ice-cream woman prepare for her
days business, young lady came
down from the hotel, carrying q book,
in order to have an early morning
read on the bluff.
She began to converse with nv
friend, and | moved off to some dis.
lance but, be- their frequent glances
in my direction, knew they we're
talking OF me.
Presently the lady walked to a
seat, and beckoned me to a place on
tho bench beside her. l obeyed hel
sign very willingly.
4 am told she began, that you are
steady, earnest boy. without friends,
and that you are trying your best to
make good man OF Yourself Now
| am writing u story about Just such
boy, aud II you will tell me some of
your experiences it will help me very
much.
She then went on to question me
about different periods OF my life. es-
pecally the time | had spent in New
FORK. She seemed quite pleased
with what | told her, and, at the close
OF the conversation, offered me a two.
dollar bill, saying,
lop must not accept it as a gift of
charity, but as your just dues; for YOU
have gwen me the moneys worth Of
useful ideas and information.
but - began, in great confusion.
"But what 2" she said, smiling.
Don't you know it is MT polite for
you to keep me holding anything in
my hand 80 long, waiting for you to
relieve me of ~
took the money. but was in doubt
whether to keep it or not. | had
never been reduced to dependence
upon charity, and ] knew that this
was an Offering of pure benevolence,
though my benetactress had disguised
the fact SO cleverly.
Are you sure that what / have
told YOU will be worth that much TO
YOU = | inquired at last.
fes,' she replied. perhaps more.
SHALL put great deal OF it in the
story, and thep shall sell the story
Tor many times the sum. And per-
haps some day you will find your
own adventures in print"
i decided TO take the two dollars i'm
the spirit of "a business transaction
while ut the same time / felt un-
diminished gratitude toward the giver.
for her kindness still remained the
same though she had received the
value OF the money, since she might.
withou { imposition. have received the
same value for q few cents, or for
nothing.
] did not like 20 ask her name. but
found % out afterward, and treasur-
eel u up IN my memory, ready for
some future occasion. when / would
be able 10 return her Kindness j
I determined, 40 the same time. 10 en-
deavor more strenuously than ever 10
become a good man, that I might
some day Jet Ter know her generosity
had not been misplaced.
paid for my boots, and resumed
nay journey westward After many
delays and misadycnturcs I reached
Chicago, and succeeded in finding
my old employer. IIc appeared quite
glad TO see me. ani, though my for
iner place was filled by another ap.
prentice. he gave mo situation in
his shop for bis business was improv-
ing, and A. ! had proved steady dur
INK nay engagement in New York. he
felt justified ia employing me again.
even ia advance Of bis need OF any
help.
His shop was enlarged from time
70 time, until. iu the course of years.
q