The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-05-22
WAS IT LUCk7

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WAS IT LUCk7
A Little Story in Answer to = Leading
Question.
The curtains we're drawn to keep
out the wintry blasts, and the bright
freight aided the shaded gas-light in
revealing all the comfort of that pleas
ant room. The number and variety OF
books in the elegant bookcase, and
the numerous papers on the table, indi.
Gated that the owner was a man o.
culture and familiar with the world
daily doings, while luxurious chairs and
lounges proved that he was not un-
mindful Of physical comfort. Indeed,
as we look at the owner of this beauti-
full establishment, as he is seated in an
easy-chair, reading a paper, we feel
that he is every inch a man, and
worthy of u entire respect. The
merry group by the fire, who are WIS.,
itors for the holidays, evidently share
our opinion. Suddenly one of the
boys turning to his uncle, said:
Uncle Harry, do you believe in
luckP"
"Well boys" said he, ''that is rather
a leading question. l will tell you a
little story, and you can call it what
you please:
"Whcn I was about ten years old,
my father died, after a lingering ILL
ness. He had been unfortunate in
some business ventures and his sickness
had entirely exhausted our funds. I
left school, and felt that, AZ / was the
Oldest, I 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 a
p~ittance for, from the shops. I tried
to get a place in some store, but could
not succeed. My efforts in that line
and my many rebuffs would astonish
you.
II concluded would sell papers, but
at first it was very hard work. l did
not mind the fatigue. I sold evening
papers, but I could not call my papers
out loud and clear, and then some other
boys would get ahead Of me. l was
better dressed than the other 'newsies;'
and SO they looked upon me as an in
terloper, and tried to run me out Of the
trade. But l thought Of my mother at
work at home, and determined / would
succeed. 81 I+ ~ 4
Zone evening l jumped on a car,
crying my papers in my best style. I
sold several, and was just leaving the
car, when a 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 what
he supposed was a three-cent piece, but
l saw it was a gold piece.
Il jumped off the car in a hurry, and
o went home. l felt a little uncer-
tain as to how mother would view the
matter, but I never had any secrets
from her, SO I told her all about it, ad-
ding that l considered it a rare piece of
luck, for we did need the money more
than you children a imagine.
"But mother argued that morally l
had no right to any more than the
price of the paper, unless it was given
me; that it was a mistake. But l in
sisted that any man so careless ought
to lose his money, and hat it was in
tended to relieve our own necessities
But mother said: MY son, He in whom
l have put all my trust has never de-
serted me yet, and I can not SO dis
trust Him now. I would rather starve
have my boy become dishonest
81 believe there comes to every one
some supreme crisis in life, when good
and evil strive for his soul, and that
was the crisis in mine"
Mr.. Morton had forgotten his eager
listeners, but vas recalled by the ques-
ton:
but what did you do?"
wei your grandmother finally got
ne to promise that if I saw the man
,gain | would return the money. No
ear of my not knowing him; his face
was before me all the time. Next
'vening ! began my work as usual. l
lad been through several cars, and al
most hoped l could not find my gener-
'us (p) patron. But at last l came
ace to face with him. l spoke quick
y, for fear my courage would fail.
"'You bought a paper Of me last
vening, sirs' I exclaimed.
Well said he, i suppose / did.
bought one from some boy. What's
Didn't ! pay your
" told him what was the matter,
nd his astonishment was great; he
,oked at me as II | was q curiosity,
sked my name and where i lived.
'thers heard the conversation, and my
apers were soon all sold at double
heir price-the gentleman laughingly /
,lling me that they knew what they j
ERE about ! fairly flew home that
ight, and I never felt 50 proud and
Apply as when | poured that money
ito my mothers lap, and heard her l