The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-15
TEDDIE'S VICTORY.
)n.hI What is thatp"

TEDDIE'S VICTORY.
"Oh.hl What is that2"
And little Teddie stopped short in his
brisk walk on that chilly November
morning. With one hand he held firmly
in place his poor apology for hat, which
the wind was doing its best to tear from
his head. With the other he picked up a
well-flled purse which lay at his feet.
He tucked his hat under his arm to keep
it safe, and with both hands held tight the
wonderful purse, that seemed ready to
burst with it's wealth. He turned into an
alley to examine it. Such apurse as that
his little hand had never held in it's grasp
before. There before him lay glitter
ing gold piece, while roll of bills was
carefully folded away in another of its
pockets.
"Oh," he said aloud, God must have
dropped the purse from heaven for me,
because Msdge and both prayed to him
so hard that he would send us some
money to buy Goals. 1t is so cold with
out q fire." And the little, thinly clad
figure shivered in the chill air. "Pll run
to Madge with it." And putting the
purse in his pocket, where he could hold
it firmly with his hand. he started as fast
as his feet could carry him for the attic
he called home.
But voice somewhere under Teddie's
jacket kept sounding in his ears as he
ram
"Teddie is it yours9 Teddie are you
doing rightp'
He stopped at last, as the sudden
thought came into his mind
ST wonder if it is all mine? Maybe
somebody lost it." And startled look
on his face took the place of that glad
surprise which had lighted up his bright
eyes.
He walked on a little slower than be-
fore, thinking almost aloud: ooh, If it is
only truly mine, it will buy Madge q
warm shawl. and Sadie an apple, and a
fire to keep warm, and ever so many
things. Maybe Msdge will say may
keep it. can run home quickly, and tell
her all about it."
Suiting the action to the word, he
started on again. But louder and louder
he felt that humping under his jacket as
he went.
"You must always do right, Teddie, no
matter how hard it is. God will see you,
il no one else doss. Stop, Teddie, you
are doing wrong. That purse is not
yours"
He did stop, and said aloud: at is
rightly mine. I found it. And yet per-
haps somebody who has lost it is looking
for it now, and feels awful bad about it.,
would, if 1 had lost it. Maybe, if go
and ask Madge, I would not find the peo-
pie there looking for it when got back. +"
snow, Teddie," spoke the voice under
his jacket, "turn right back, and go and
do right. God will see, and God will
help. You must not keep what does not
belong to you"
"Tll do itr' he exclaimed; and, push
ing his hat back from his face, his bright
curls q. z in the wind, he turned sharply
around, and retrsced his steps.
Presently, he saw policeman and two
ladies coming toward him. One was an
old lady, with face pure and sweet in
it's framework of silver hair, that carried
no terror to the heart Of the timid child.
The other, young, fair girl, who seemed
10 be wild with excitement and grief.
u must have dropped it on this block
for little beyond is where 1 first missed
it, and we made call here" she said, adj
dressing the policeman.
els it purse you have lost, lady?"
said Teddie, 81 found this on the grass,
here, close to the sidewalk" And he
pointed to the place where he had picked
it up.
"Yes, that is it," exclaimed the young
lady, with glad cry.
Look into it and see il it is all right,
mssm," said the policeman with a side
long glance at Teddie, as he spoke.
Everything is just as 1 left it,-my
gold piece that Uncle John gave me, and
all the rest" she replied, "exactly where
1 put it."
"And now, my little man." said the
elder lady, laying her hand kindly on