The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-11-07

terdaY piece or bread. since then
have not eaten morsel."
1t is quite customary for beggars b.
trade to contriye tales like this; and thi
hardens many heart against the claim
of genuine want But this time tn
merchant trusted the boys honest face
He thrust his hand into his pocket, drew
forth piece of money, and said:-
"There is half crown. Go to thi
bakers and with half the money buy
bread for yourself, your mother and you
bothers, but bring back the other hal
to me-"
The boy took the money and ran joy
fully away.
WELL" said the surly bookkeeper
"he will laugh in his sleeve, and neve
come back again"
who knows ?" replied Herr Richter
And, as he spoke, he beheld the DO,
returning, running quickly, with larg
loaf of bread in one hand and som,
money in the other.
"There, good SIR he cried, almos
breathless, "there is the rest of th
money" Then, being very hungry, h
begged at once for knife, to cut off I
piece of bread. The bookkeeper reached
him in silence his pocket-knife.
The lad cut off slice in great haste
and was about 10 bite upon il. But sud
denly he bethougbt himself, laid tn
bread aside, and, folding his hands, re
hearsed silent prayer. Then he fell t.
bis food with hearty appetite.
The merchant was moved by the boy
unaffected piety. He inquired after hi
family and home, and learned from hi
| simple narrative that his father hat
lived in village about four miles from
Daniz,g, where he owned small hous
and farm. But his house had beel
burned to the ground, and much sick
ness in his family had compelled him L
sell his farm, He then hired himsel
out to a rich neighbor; but, before thre
weeks were at an end, he died, broker
down by excessive toll. And now hi
mother, whom sorrow had thrown upol
a bed of sickness, was, with her fou
young children, suffering the bitteres
poverty. He, the eldest, had resolved t
seek for assistance, aud had gone at tirs
from village to village, then had struc
into the highroad, and at last, havin
begged everywhere in vain, had come t
Dan zig.
The merchants heart was touched
He had but one child, and the hoy ar
peared to him as draft at sight. ~hic
Providence had drawn upon him as
test of his gratitude.
Listen, my son |" he began, "hav
you, then, really wish to learn p
"Oh, yes, / have, indeed" cried th
boy. Il have read the Catechism a
ready; and should know a great det
more, but at home had always my Ii
tie brother to carry, for mother was sic
in bed."
Herr Richter suddenly formed his re-
olution. "Well, them" he said, IF yo
are good and honest and industrious,
will take care of you. You shall learr
have meat and drink and clothing, an
in time earn something besides. The
you can support your mother and brotl
ers also."
The boys flashed with joy, but in
moment be cast them to the ground IAN
said sadly, MY mother all the while ht
nothing to eat.'
At this instant, AS if sent by Prov denC
an inhabitant of the boys native villag
entered Herr Richter'T house. This ma
confirmed the lads story. and willingl
consented to carry the mother tidinG
of her son GUttlieb, and food and sma
sum of money from the merchant. A
the same time Herr Richter directed h
bookkeeper to write letter to the pa
tor of the village. commencing the wiC
ow to his care, with an additional SUI
enclosed for the poor family, and prom
Isng further assistance.
As soon AS this was done, nerr Richie
at once furnished the boy with deceI
clothes, and at noon led him to his wifi
whom he accurately informed of lit
Goltlieb's story, and of the plans whic
he had formed for him. The good We
man readily promised her best assistanC
in the latter, and she faithfully kept hC
word.
During the next four years Gottlie
attended the schools Of the great con
mtrcIal city. Then this faithful fOste
father took him into his counting-roon
in order to educate him for bushes
Here as well as there, at the writinI
desk as on the school-bench, the ripeI
ing youth dlstingu he'd himself, n,
only by his natural capacity, but by Il
faithful industry with which he exc
cised il. With all this his heart retaint
its native innocence. or his weekly 9
lowance, he sent the other half regular
to his mother until she died, after ha'
ing survived two Of his brothers. 81
had passed the last years OF her life, n
in wealth, II is true, but, by the aid
the noble Richter, ana Of her faithf
son, in a condition above want.
After the death Of his beloved mothe
there was no dear friend left to Gottli
in the world except his benefactor. o
of love 10 him, he became an actiy
Jealous merchant. He began by appl
ing the superfluity of his allowanC
which he could Ow dispose of at
pleasure, to trade in Hamburg quill
When, by care and prudence, he b
gained about thirty pounds, it happen
thi he found in bis native village CO
d siderable quantity Of hemp and fl
> which was very good, and still to be h
T. at a reasonable price. He asked his Il
= ter-father to advance him fifty pounC
winch the latter did with great reai
ness. And the business prospered
we'll that in the third year of his cleI
|, ship Goltleb had already acquired
sum of one hundred fifty pounds. Wit
out giving up his trade 10 fax, he nj
trafficked in linen goods, and the u
combined made him in couple of yea
about three hundred pounds richer.
This happened during the customa
five years OF cerkship. At the end
this period, Gotllieb continued to ser
] his benefactor five years more with
dustry, skill and fidelity. Then he to
re the place Of the bookkeeper, who di
$. about this time; and three years aft,
ward he was taken by Berr Richter 8
=, partner into his business, with q thi
Dc part of the profits.
- But it was not Gods will that 4
pleasant partnership should be Of 10
duration. An insidious disease cast III
, Richter upoh bed Of sickness, and X
J, him for two years confined to his couI
All that love or gratitude could sugg
re NJ Gottlieb now did to repay his benef'
o. tors kindness. Redoubling his ox
tions, he becam- lie SOU of lie VIII
3. hl1ainess: and If II lac watched |