The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-14

N1S number of passing men
SgE one winter night by the
light of the street lamps.
Some of the men shook their heads;
others passed on without noticing
the appeal. Finally two men who
were walking together stopped.
"Why don't you ask me to give
you a quarter?" one of the men
questioned the boy.
because I'm a-goin' to give it
back to you," was the prompt ans
wer. 81 amt a-beggin'.
The man laughed not altogether
pleasantly
Look here, little man, l lend
money on good security. What Sc
curity can you give mes"
"S'curitys" repeated the boy help
lessly. Then two eager eyes bright
ened as the meaning of the word was
suggested, and he added: None
only my word and willin'ness to
work"
The man laughed great haw,
haw.
"Good! You've earned your mon
ey, little Ready Wits" he said, as he
tossed a quarter to the boy, and
started up the street with his friend.
"Please, sir, you amt told me your
name yet, nor where you live," pur-
sued the boy.
mot done with you YETI" said the
man sharply as he stopped again.
Are you getting up directory in
the interest of beggars, boy?"
"No sir" replied the little fellow
seriously; SITS in the interest of you
Both men laughed.
"Well, my name is John Throck-
ton, and l live at No. Is Fairview
avenue" said the giver of the quar-
ter.
Mr. John Throckton's house was
large and handsome, and full of fine
furniture and works of art. He was
very rich, but by no means generous
with his money. He had given in
this instance merely out of caprice.
The boys manner of asking had
amused him. Seldom did he give 80
much as a quarter for charity. Mean
while, little Bernard Wells invested
the borrowed quarter in a loaf of
bread, little piece of meat, and
little paper of tea, and carried the
provisions home. His home was
single-room in poor tenement
house. His father was dead, and his
mother made living sewing on
shirts. This week, however; she had
been too i'll to work, and her money
was all spent.
"Oh, Bernard, where did you get
these things7" Mrs. Wells asked
when her son came in.
Bernard told his story.
I'VE must return the money as
soon as possible" said the mother.
But Mrs. Wells was not able to go
back to her work. Bernard earned
little money now selling newspapers,
but this was needed to buy food and
coal. Finally, Mrs. Wells died, and
brother of Bernard's father, a poor,
Woodworking man, came forward,
and offered the little boy a home.
Bernard worked for his uncle, who.
kept little store. But the boy was
not given any money. Once Bernard
asked for quarter that he might pay
Mr.. Throckton, and was laughed az
by his uncle.
"John Throckton has too much
money already" the man said. 'He's
one of the richest men in town, and
one of the meanest. l guess l don't
want him to get any of my quarters"
A year passed. Bernard did not
forget his obligation to Mr.. Throck-
ton. Many were the plans he made
for redeemiDg his pledged word.
One day, when he was passing
along crowded street, it was his
good fortune to find pair of eye
glasses that lady had accidentally
dropped, and the lady rewarded him
with quarter.
r Bernard set out Immediately for
No. Is Fairview Avenue. "How
pleased mother will bel l hope she
knowsl" he thought to himself as he