Morning Star

AN INCIDENT.

About ten months ago, Mr John M. Spear, upon one of his usual visits to the Police Court, one morning, noticed among the prisoners a youth who was poorly clad, and for some cause was weeping. The philanthropist sat down by his side, & the following conversation took place:

"Why are you here, my son?"

"I am accused of selling newspapers, sir, without a license."

"Are you guilty?"

"Yes, sir."

"Have you been arrested before?"

"Yes, twice."

"What for?"

"For selling newspapers."

"Why do you persist in doing it?"

"Because I don't know what else to do to get a living."

"Have you a father?"

"No, sir; my father is dead."

"Is your mother living?"

"My mother is a drunkard; she does not take care of me: I don't know where she is now."

As he uttered these last words, the deep waters of the little fellow's soul burst forth afresh, and he expressed his grief aloud.

"Where do you lodge?" continued the philanthropist.

"Near Union Street, sir; I pay ninepence a night for my lodgings in advance, and I buy two plates of beans in the course of the day, for which I pay as much more.'"

"How do you spend your evenings?"

"I walk about the streets, or go into the auction rooms."

"Why don't you sit down in the house where you lodge, by the fire and read"

"Because the woman who keeps the house is very poor. She has no room for me at the fire."

"Would you be willing to go to the country and work, if a place could be obtained for you?"

"Yes, sir; I would be glad to go and work for my living. I don't want to stay in Boston, but I have nobody to get a place for me. I don't want to go down to the jail again."

The philanthropist now spoke to the judge respecting the prisoner. After some conversation the Judge reduced the fine to one cent and cost, which the philanthropist paid, and then taking the boy by the hand they both left the Court.

Mr Spear took the boy to his own house and supplied him with food and clothing, and then obtained a good place for him in the country. Last week, the day before Thanksgiving, the grateful boy for the first time came into the city to see his benefactor. He has been steadily at work in the place which Mr Spear provided for him, and is still at work there, earning nine dollars a month and his board.

Such is the lesson which charity teaches us. We will not moralize on the evil which would have pursued that boy, but thank the generosity of him whose only wish is to heal the wounds of wo, and who always

Hath a tear for pity, and a hand
Open as day for melting charity,

for his noble service in the cause of humanity

Boston Chronotype