Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-06-08
Sylonths' Column.
WAS 1T LUCK?

out the wintry blasts, and the bright fire.
light aided the shaded gaslight in re-
vealing all the comforts of that pleasant
room. The number and variety of books
in the elegant bookcases, and the numer-
Gus papers on the table, Indicated that
the owner was man of culture and ia
milliar with the worlds daily doings;
while the luxurious chairs and loung-
es proved that he was not unmind-
full of physical comfort. Indeed, as we
look at the owner of this beautiful estab-
lishment, as he is seated in his easy chair
reading his paper we feel that he is every
inch man, and worthy of our entire re-
spect. The merry group by the fire, who
are visitors for the holidays, evidently
share our opinion. Suddenly one of the
boys turned to his uncle with the query:
''Uncle Harry, do you believe in luck?"
sWell, boys" said he s'that is rather
leading question. l will tell you q little
story, and you can call it what you
please.
father died, after a lingering Illness. He
had been unfortunate in some business
ventures, and his sickness had entirely
exhausted our funds. | left school, and
felt that as was the oldest, must help
mother to support the family.
Poor mother, it grieved me greatly to
see her patiently stitching away on the
coarse work she received such pittance
for from the shops. 1 tried to get place
in store but could not succeed. My
efforts in that line, and my many rebufs
would astonish you.
l concluded to sell papers, but at first
it was very hard work. I did not mind
the fatigue, 1 only sold evening papers,
but 1 could not call my papers out loud
and clear, and then some other boy would
get ahead Of me. Then, too, was better
dressed than most of the other ''newsies"
and so they looked upon me as an inter
lOper, and tried to run me out of the
trade. But thought of my mother at
work at home, and determined l would
succeed
One evening jumped on Il car, crying
in my best style. l sold several and was
just leaving the car, when Il gentleman
who was buSily talking with his neighbor
while both occupied uncertain standing
room, called me: Here, boy, a Chronicle
l gave him one, and he put his hand in
his pocket and drew out and gave me
what he supposed was a three cent-piece,
but | saw it was gold piece.
l jumped off the car in hurry, and
soon went home. felt little uncertain
as to how mother would view the matter,
but never had any secrets from her, so
l told her all about it, adding that | con-
sidered it rare piece of luck; for we
did need money more than you children
can imagine.
But mother argued that morally had
no right to any more than the price of
the paper, unless it was given to me; ;
that it was a mistake; and | insisted that
any man so careless ought to lose his
money, and that it was intended to re-
lieve our own necessities.
But mother said, My son, He on whom
l have put my trust has never deserted
me yet, and / cannot so distrust him now
1 would rather starve than have my boy
become dishonest
l believe there comes to every one
in,
and evil strive for his soul, and that
night was the battle fought for mine
MI. Morton had forgotten his eager lis
teners, but was recalled by the question ::
''But what did you do?'
'Well, your grandmother finally
brought me TO promise that i'll saw the
man again, would return the money. No
fear Of my not knowing him; his face
was before me all the time. Next even
ing l began my work as usual. l had
been through several cars, and almost
hoped that could not find my generous
patron. But at last l come face to face
with him. 1 spoke quickly, for fear my
courage would fail
You bought paper from me last
evening, SIR
WELL said ne, suppose 1 did;
bought one from some boy. What's
wrong, didn't 1 pay your
1 told him what was the matter, and
his astonishment was great; he looked al
me as if l was curiosity, asked my
name and where l lived. Others hearC
the conversation, and my papers were
soon all sold at double their price-tht
gentlemen laughingly telling me they
knew what they were about. 1 fairi,
flew home that night, and never felt 81
proud and happy as when l poured N.
money into my mothers lap. and hear(
her say:
THANK God, my boy, who has kept yo'
honest
The next day mother had a call from
the gentleman, and the result was tina
my career as newsboy ceased, and m,
mercantile life began; very low down t.
be sure, but worked away. 1 attende,
night school, too, and by degrees I rose
till, as you know, am Il partner in TIL
house. Now you may judge whether
believe in luck, or in the Divinity tina
shapes our ends, rough hew them as W
will. Christian at Work.