TOUCHING INCIDENT

A young man of eighteen or twenty, a student in a University, went one day to take a walk with a professor who was commonly called the “students’ friend,” such was his kindness to the young men whom it was his office to instruct. While they were now walking together, and the professor was seeking to lead the conversation to grave subjects, they saw a pair of old shoes lying in their path, which they supposed must belong to a poor man who was at work in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his work. The young student turned to the professor, saying, “Let us play the man a trick. We will hide his shoes and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and watch to see his perplexity when he cannot find them.” “My dear friend,” answered the professor, “we must never amuse ourselves at the expense of others, especially of the poor;
but you are rich, and you may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man. Put a dollar in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves behind the bushes.” The student did
so, and then placed himself with the professor behind the bushes close by, through which they could easily watch the labourer, and see what wonder or joy he might express. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes. While he put on his coat, he slipped one foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard he stooped down and found the dollar. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the dollar, turned it round, and looked again and again. Then he looked round him on all sides to see who might have put it there; but could see no one. Then he put the money in his pocket and proceeded to put on his other shoe; but how great was his amazement when he found the other dollar! His feelings overcame him. He fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven, and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving to God, in which he spoke of his sick and helpless wife, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty from some unknown hand would save from perishing. The young man stood deeply affected, and tears filled his eyes. “Now,” said the professor, “are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?” “O, dearest Sir,” answered the youth, “you have taught me a lesson I hope never to forget. I feel now the truth of the words which I never before understood: It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”