The national leader., 1889-02-23
The Little Newsboy, or. Honesty is the
Best Policy.

Best Policy.
| 1t was in the month of February
| when my story begins, and nearly dark
in the great city Of New York. The
wind was blowing perfect hurricane;
snow few in every direction; and "Jack
Frost" appeared anxious to bite peo-
ples' ears and noses whenever he could
g4t chance.
Pedestrians hurried to and fro; and
those who had overcoats wrapped
themselves more closely and were eager
to reach home and shelter from the
binding storm. Some were cheered
with the thought of the many smiling
faces that would greet them on arliv-
ing at their destination, and the de-
lightful evening spent with ones family
around cheerful freside; while others
were thinking of the many hungry
mouths to feed and gloomy. cherries
basement which they called home.
Willie, the little newsboy, plodded
on, with his bundle of papers hanging
on his arm, and his hands and feet
nearly frozen with the cold. Nobody
cared for paper tonight, and every
one seemed in a hurry. Where, oh,
where were the few pennies to come
from that would buy dear mother some
supperl He had not even a cent, and
he was so HUNGRYl one little roll being
all the food he had tasted this day.
Do you wonder that he was dis
| couraged?
| Buy Iaper?'' shouted the hoarse little
fellow, but the people all passed on,
not even cheering his FAINT heart with
the first sign of u smile.
what shall [ do? What shall |
do?" he thought, his eyes fast filling
with tears. II would almost dare steal
| if it wasn't wicked; but mothers so
| 'ticular about it, and always saying,
'Honesi IS the Best Policy 1 sup
pose 'tl', but | guess she'd be pretty
glad OF Il little supper tonight, even if
| did steal it; and that man has left his
stand, and could just hop In and take
a cake and he'd never know 1t
mother'd think l had sold papers and
| bought it."
AS he was thus reasoning with him
self tiny voice seemed to say: evil
| lie, Willie Osbornel would YOU steal,
WANlI JOuA AAOVAAOA Id ~ RAOuu VI ACA
| honest son? Trust your Heavenly
Father, and all things will come rIght!"
A flush Of shame slowly crept over
his face as he began to realize how near
he had been to yielding to great temp
| tatiOn.
mo; l WON'T steal, mother had
rather go without her supper, after all,
guess, than to have me bad boy like
Jem JONES'"
He had just made this good resolu.
tion, when an elderly gentleman pass
ed by, and out of his great coat pocket
FL tiny bundle, right at Willie's feet.
Quick as flash he picked it up. and
started after the owner.
mister, o, Mister, here is some
thing you have lost!''
The gentleman looked around, stop
ped, and exclaimed. "WelI, well, my
little lad, who would have thought this
of your most boys would have kept it,
even though it was Of little value.
How did it happen that YOU returned
itI"
''Please, sir, mother says Honesty is
the Best Policy"
''To be sure! To be surel You have
a good mother, my lad. and now tell
me your name"
"Wlllie Osborne, SIR"
$50 you peddle papers, do you; and
how many have you sold tonight, L
wonder?"
The tears rushed to his eyes as he re-
piled
''Not one."
''Not one! Well, really, that is bad
luck, and don't you generally succeed
any better other times?"
''OhI sometimes 1 sell quite few,
but lots of nights 1 don't sell any,"
"You should follow some other busi-
ness, something that is more paying.
But, tell me, have you any little broth
ers or sisters2'
Mother and me is all there is, sir. -
The old gentleman smiled, patted
our newsboy on the head and said:
''Well, l am going to help you, be-
cause you are an HONEST lad. Come
to Wharton's big clothing store to-mor-
row, and | will give you a place as an
errand boy. You will receive dollar
week, and after while. should you
still prove trusty, will increase your
wages. Now, here is some money to
buy your supper with, and never for
get, my boy, that blessed motto: Hon
esty is the Best Policy"
Before Willie found breath to thank
him he was gone. and our little hero
went home that night with a very light
heart.
Years afterward, when Willie grew
to be man he often told his children
how he first entered the road of sue
ceSS-through honesty.
A Squirrel Hunting Cat.