Honesty the best Policy.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VII, Issue 316, 1 December 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

Honesty the best Policy.

The story of a_ Cincinnati newsboy who found a pocket-book containing lOOdols., and returned it to the owner with contents intact, reached Philadelphia in good season, and was productive of a considerable sensation among the street-arabs. One small boy was so affected by it that lie straightway determined to see that Cincinnati boy, and go him seventeen or eighteen better. Be took another small boy into his confidence, and Ithe test of probity of character was carried into effect. Boy No. 2 dropped a well-padded pocket-book, which boy No. 1, following |dose behind, picked up. Then, with a look on his face that would bave done honor to Benjamin Franklin, the bnest little fellow walked up to an old gentleman who was passing by, extended the pscket-book, and, with trembling voice, exc'iiimed, •'Take it, sir, it is yours; you dnpped it just now. My mother and seven litle brothers are starving, but I cannot keep it,sir, for it don't belong to me." The old geitleman looked at the boy, then pulled ou l > his spectacles and adjusted them for a better sight. He could not sufficiently admirithe wan visage of the little street wandere, illuminated as it was with a glow of goociiess and honesty. Htpatted the boy on the head and pulling out a§ve-dollar bill from his pocket handed it to am, saying, " Boy, you will grow to be a gret man. Take this money for your family, and always remember that ' honesy is the best policy.' " Then the old gentleran skurred into the nearest lager beer saloon ad opened his pocket-book, when he began tklance around and call heaven and earth tovitness that if ever he encountered that boy .gain he would flay him alive. And he confined to orate until a policeman was called to tfrest him as a lunatic, and the only excuse he'could offer for his conduct was that a sma boy had robbed him of five dollars by cving' him a pocket-book stuffed with old pa}»r.