The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-04-08

boy, punished for 'snooping." He who
was 80 very tall, and who could have oil
the pie and jam he chose to call for.
Then that gentleman spoke agan
"Once upon time the be Is talked TO
some purpose to "A certain boy. Did you
ever read about Young Wilmington Z"
mo, sir" said Harry.
otis a true one, they say, and it goes
like this: Once upon a time there lived in
Lancashire England, poor little orphan
boy named Dick Wilmington, who, anxi-
Gus to earn his living. went to ondon 10
get a place of some kind, and was hired
BY merchant to work in his kitchen,
wash dishes, scour pans and turn the
spit for the cook. In those days they
roasted meat and poultry by hanging it
before great open fire upon a hook fast
ene to the chimney place by cham or
chord, and some one constantly turned II
to keep it from burninr, while the gravy
drippel into the large pan Sc: On The
hearth beneath it. Sometimes the tied
little dog to the spit, AM as he ran
about he turned the meat.
1T was hot work for the little country
lad, used to fresh air and green grass, to
sit in dark London kitchen, turning
great Joints of meat, while the cross cook
scolded him, and the other servants
laughed at him 30, though he was APP
prenticed as all young servants were IN
those days, he made up his mind TO run
away and one morning. before any one
e.se was awake he took his little bundle
on bis shoulder and left his masters house,
rs he thought, forever.
1T was sun lay mornins, and in those
days there was great ringing of bells in
Lon on on he sabbath Just as Dick
got outside of the city they all burst forth
together. Such a sweet sound, it seemed
to him, he had never heard. and he said
10 himself that, as he could not 20 to
church, he woald kneel down where he
was and say his prayers SO he did, and
when he had nishel them he still knelt
to listen And rs he listene the bells
began to talk to him as the clock did to
you ust now, and to me long ago. and
this was what they said;
"Turn again, Wilmington,
| And thou in time shalt be
Lord Mayor of l. ndoa.
Turn again, turn again. Lord Mayor OF
LOndOn.
at was so plain to the boy that it was
as if he heard voice, and at the moment
something rubbed against his folded
/ hands. and behold, it was little white
kitten. 1t looked hungry, and he picked
it u } and fed it with some bread he had
and all the time the bells kept saying
| 'lurn again, Wilmington, Lord Mayor OF
| London
''At last he sail aloud We'll, well,
church bells would not tell lies, and if
am to be LORD May of London | must
not leave London Town
and as they ceased their chime the
bells sang in his ears, sir Richard Whit
tington Lord Ma or of London
Livery WELL, said Dick. III So l
shall make good use OF my power, and all
poor people shall be glad l am Lord
Mayor her he went back to the kitchen
and did all he had to do well. for he said
to himself, If am one day to be Lord
Mayor. must keep good character
IL suppose his con luct pleased the
cook, for he was allowed to keep his
kitten, which grew to be cat and made
his fortune. for one day his master send
ing ont a ship to a far-away country, told
his servants each might send venture,
and Dick Wilmington, whose cat ia
grown to be great, white mouSer, asked
leave to send her. And it so happened
that in the Eastern country to which the
ship went were many mice and rats and
no cats and the king in his palace often
had food stolen from his table. so when
the captain brought Mistress Puss int
the royal presence and told how cats
dealt with mice. and whea His aiesty
saw the things he feared and hated fly
before her, he bought her for a large
price, and sent Dick Wilmington a
present besides. IT was quite fortune
for those days Thus says an old poem
of the time:
"Thus Whttington's wealth began;
Sculion's life he forsook
TO be e merchant good.
An well his credit stool.
'Soon he became sheriff of London,
and afterward was three times lord may or
of the city. lie loaned thousands Of
pounds to his king to maintain his wars
with France and refused to receive it
again lie fed the poor; was kind to
prisoners. who were cruelty used in those
days, always assisted widows and orphans;
built church, q college, and places of
refuge for the helpless. repaired Christ
Church, and did all the good he could,
always saying The Lord babe his bells
call me back to Lonlon, and sent little
cat to make my fortune. AMI all | do
shall be for London's good in His holy
name'"