Richland beacon., 1881-07-16
ALL 1WROUGH 4 POCKET
BOOK.

ion, upon the rug before the fire, with q
very disconsolate look upon the young
faces the dancing flames lit up. 1t is II
stormy night, and they are, therefore,
disappointed Of a promised treat to
which, for week back they have been
looking forward.
Suddenly the door "Opens and gives
entrance TO tall. brisk figure.
"Boys, are you here? Poor fellows
it's too bad you are doomed to disap-
pointment; but what say you to story?
Would it compensate in the least degree
for the great animal shOw?'
Yes, they think ii will; and, with
slight but decided change in both posi-
ton and expression, they wait expect
antly, confident Of being interested, for
they are no strangers to their brother
in-laws graphic stories. AID he begins:
at was O very cold day, and, ns little
Dick stood on the corner shivering in
the keen blast which pierced relentlcssly
through his thin, ragged garments, he
said, half aloud: 'Oh, dear this world
isn't much of place. Iwonder if it's
warmer where mother is /! wish ] was
there!
Poor boy A month ago death had
robbed him of his only friend by taking
away his mother, and since then he had
lived as thousands do everywhere -
picking up what odd jobs he could in
the daytime, and sleeping at night in
any nook that offered him shelter. Bnt
work was not always to be found, and
for the past two days his pockets had
not held even penny with which to
buy bread, and the boy was almost fam
ished. He walked on slowly, the tears
running down his pinched face, when
suddenly n great thrill ran all through
his frame, for the moment bringing
a warmth it had but rarely known.
Could it be, or did his eyes deceive him?
There, right before him on the pave
ment. was pockct-book
with Q hasty glance backward the
lad. with trembling fingers, lifted and
opened his prize, and saw what seemed
like incalculable ricnes to his unaccus-
toned eyes-a roll of crisp bank-notes.
"'Now l can get something to cat =
"But something white attracted his
notice: a card, and pencilcd upon it q
name and address.
"Dick could read little, and he
easily picked out the written characters
which proclaimed to whom the lost
pocketbook belonged.
"For moment the boy hesitated. 1t
was his. He had found it. Had he not
right 10 IT.
"But even as he thought conscience
rose. and With loud voice cried:
".No! As long as you know the own
cr's name IL Il not yours
"Just before she died his mother ha'
said to him:
".Dick, my poor boy. l doubt no
but that you may come to wear torn
so,lcd coat, but there is no need that
should cover soiled soul. BE true an
honest, no matter what happens, an
God VIII care for YOU
"a choking sob rose in the boy
thrt 1t as he slowly turned.
".I will take it TO the house that
on the card he said softly; but, oh
how hungry ami"
"He thfust the pocket-book into tn
breast 4 His jacket, but not before
had been seen.
".Sec here. Dickey. old fellow. she
out! You've got find, and you mus
90 shares. Here, hand over that pool
et-boOk.'
"Dick looked up resolutely into tt
hovish faces of his accosters. The
were bigger boys than he. but he vi
no coward
".You can't have it. he said, for
isn't mine; and I'm taking it where
belongs.