Year: 1867

,;tv of London q lad about fourteen years of age.
He was dressed in dark frock, that hid his un-
der apparel, and which appeared to have been
made for person evidently taller than the wear
or His boots were covered with dust from the
bioh road He had on an old hat with black
band, which contrasted strangely with the color
of his head. A small bundle, fastened to the
end of stick, and thrown over his shoulder,
was the whole of his equipment As he ap-
preached the Mansion House, he paused to look at
the building, and seated himself on the steps Of
one of the doors. He was about to rest awhile,
but the coming in and going out of half-a-dozcn
persons before he had time to finish untying his
bundle, made him leave that spot for the next
open space, where the doors were in part closed.


Having taken from the bundle large quantity
OF bread and cheese, which he seemed to eat with
rayenous appetite, he amused himself by look
ing at the building before him with all the eager
curiosity of one unaccustomed to see similar OBJ
jects.


The appearance of the youth soon attacted my
curiosity, and gently opening the door, stood
behind him without his being the least conscious
of my presence. He now began to rumage his
pockets, and after deal of trouble brought out
roll of paper which he opened. After salts
flying himself that large copper coin was safe
he carefully put it back again, saying to himself
in low voice, g Mother, | will remember your
last words A penny saved is twopence earn
ed.' 1t shall go hard with me before part with
you, old friend"


Pleased with this remark, gently touched the
lad on his shoulder. He started and was about
to move away, when said -


Ny good lad, you seem tired, and likewise
a stranger in the CITY,"


ssYes sir" he answered, putting his hand to
his hat. He was again about to move forward


% You need not hurry away, my boy" OBJ
served. =" Indeed, if you are a stranger, and
willing to work, can perhaps help to find what
you require"


The boy stood mute with astonishment; and
coloring to such extent as to show all the
freckles of his sunburnt face, stammered out


q Yes, sir"


ness of manner | could assume" whether you
are anxious to find work, for l am in want of
youth TO assist my coachman."


The poor boy twisted his bundle about and
after having duly placed his hand to his head
managed to utter awkward kind of an an
swer, that he would be very thankful.


mentioned not word about what had over
heard with regard to the penny, but inviting him
into the house, sent for the coachman, to " hose
care intrusted the new conner.


Nearly month had passed after this meeting
and conversation occurred when I resolved to
make inquiries of the coachman in regard to the
conduct of the lad.


"A better boy never came into the house, sir !;
and for wasting anything, bless me, sir,





really believe he would consider it q sin if be
did not give the crumbs of bread to the poor
birds every morning"


q! am glad to hear so good an account" re-
Piled


I" And as for his good nature, sir, there is not
a servant among us that doesn't speak we'll of
Joseph. He reads to US while we sup, and he
writes all our letters for us. Oh, sir, he has got
more learning than all of us put together; and
what's more, he doesn't mind work, and never
talks about our secrets after he writes our
letters


Determined to see Joseph myself, requested
the coachman to send him to the paror.


'' understand, Joseph, that you read and
wrte.''


q Yes, sir thanks to my poor, dear mother"
- You have lately lost your mother, then"'


90 \ month that very day when you were kind
enough to take me into your house, an unpro-
tected orphan" answered Joseph.


'' Where did you go to school?


" Sir, my mother has been widow ever since
l can remember. She was the daughter of a vii
lage school-master, and having to maintain me
and herself with her needle, she took the oppor
tunity of her leisure moments to teach me, not
only to read and write, but to cast up accounts"
1" And did she give You that penny which was
in the paper that saw you unroll so carefully at
the door?'


Joseph stood amazed, but at length replied
with emotion, and tear started from his eye:


't Yes sir, it was the very last penny she gave
me-"


''Well, Joseph, so satisfied am l with your
conduct that not only do pay you months
wages willingly for the time that you have been
here, but must beg of you to fulfill the duties
of collecting clerk to our firm, which has be-
vacant by the death of very old and
faithful assistant


Joseph thanked me in the most unassuming
manner, and asked to take care Of his
money since | promised to provide him win
suitable clothing for his new occupation.


1t will not be necessary to relate how, step py
step, this poor lad proceeded to win the conh-
dence of myself and partner The accounts
were ALWAYS correct to penny and when ms
salary became DUE he drew out of my hands no
more than he absolutely wanted, even to penny.
At length he had saved enough to be deposited In
the bank


1t so happened that one of our chief customers
who had carried a successful business requlr-
ed an active partner The person was of cccen-
trio habits and considerably advanced in years.
Scrupulously JUST he looked to every penny and
invariably discharged his workmen if they were
not equally scrupulous in their dealings with
him.


Aware of this pecularity of temper, there was
no person could recommend but Joseph and
after overcoming the repugnance of my partner,
who unwilling to be deprived of so valuable an
assistant, Joseph was duly received into the firm
of Richard Fairbrothers Il Co. Prosperity at
tended Joseph in his new undertaking, and never
suffering penny's difference to appear in his
transactions. he so completely the conf
dence of his senior partner, that he left to him
the whole of his business. as he expressed it in
his will, "even to the very last penny."-Wa-
ceriy Magazine.


ss you psa tie rery best CABINET PHOTOGRAPHS, you
,a,a crU on BRADLEY RUL0FS0N, 429 Montgomery