02 September 1843 A Benevolent Incident - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

02 September 1843 A Benevolent Incident

The following circumstance, which lately occurred at Appleby, ought to be generally known: A boy, in the service of MRS. HERD, of the King's Head Inn, being employed on the morning after the assizes in cleaning the boots of a gentleman staying at the inn, found, in one of them, a sovereign, which, with praiseworthy integrity, he immediately carried back to the gentleman to whom the boots belonged. This gentleman, who proved to be SIR THOMAS WILDE, struck with this proof of the lad's honesty, received from him the sovereign, and entered into conversation with him. He commended him for returning the money, observing, that although he might, perhaps, have kept it, and for once, have escaped detection, yet, that dishonesty was sure, in the long run, to lead to misery and disgrace. More good counsel he added, to the same purpose, and dismissed the boy; who retired not, perhaps, without some slight feeling of disappointment that his integrity had met with no other reward than good advice. SIR THOMAS however speedily followed him, for the purpose of making inquiries concerning him from MRS. HERD. From her he learned that the boy was fatherless, that he had lived at the King's Head from early childhood - that his mother was extremely poor, and that he had a sister suffering under severe and protracted illness. Upon this SIR THOMAS WILDE immediately sent his servant to the boy's mother with two sovereigns, for the use of her sick daughter,and with a message importing, that her son's honesty had been the means of his becoming acquainted with the circumstances of her family. He also added a promise of further assistance when he should again visit Appleby. To the boy himself he sent half-a-crown. "pocket-money," and another half-crown, which he advised him to "put into a savings bank."
This done, SIR THOMAS WILDE immediately left Appleby; and it was not till after his departure that the members of this poor family were made acquainted with the name of their benefactor.