Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/97

Rh good Uncle Phil. But with all Aikin's diligence, and all his wife's efficiency, their inevitable expenses exhausted their income, save that a small sum was husbanded each year as a provision in case of sudden calamity. We confess that our friends remained poor, in the common acceptation of the word; but whether those were really so who had few desires ungratified—who were enjoying the essential blessings of life—who were giving their children, in the home school, the very best education, and whose humble habitation was the abode of health and contentment, we leave for those to decide who have felt chat these goods riches cannot buy.

William, the eldest boy, was one morning standing by his father's cart in Pearl-street, when his attention was attracted by a poor man, who, in coming out of the door of a warehouse, staggered, and, catching by the iron railing, sunk down on the step. Half a dozen boys gathered about him, one crying, "He's top-heavy!" Another, "Try it again, old fellow!"—"Drunken rascal!" muttered a gentleman, passing along.

"I am not drunk," faintly replied the old man.

"What is the matter, sir?" asked William, drawing near, as the other boys, perceiving their mistake, slunk away.

"I am starved, child!"

William looked round for his father—he was in the warehouse—and the boy ran into an oyster-cellar, and expending his only shilling, returned with a bit of bread and a saucer of hot oysters, which the poor man devoured as if he were indeed starving. Then lifting his grateful eye to William,