Chapter 1: A Handsome but Poor Young Man
Hughie Erskine was a very kind and handsome young man. He had soft brown hair, clear eyes, and a friendly smile. Everyone liked him. Men liked him, and women liked him too.
But Hughie had one big problem — he was poor.
He did not have a good job. He tried many things. First, he worked in the Stock Exchange, but he did not understand business. Then he tried selling tea, but he became bored. After that, he tried selling wine, but he was not successful.
In the end, Hughie had no real job. He lived on a small amount of money from his aunt. It was not enough for a comfortable life.
Even though he was poor, Hughie was happy most of the time. He loved life, and he had a good heart.
Hughie was also in love.
The girl he loved was Laura Merton. She was beautiful and kind. Laura loved Hughie very much too.
But there was a problem.
Laura’s father, Colonel Merton, did not agree with their marriage.
One day, he said to Hughie:
“Come back when you have ten thousand pounds. Then you can marry my daughter.”
Ten thousand pounds was a very big amount of money. Hughie did not know how to get it.
Still, he did not lose hope.
Chapter 2: The Old Beggar in the Studio
One morning, Hughie went to visit his friend Alan Trevor. Alan was a painter.
Alan’s studio was full of colors, brushes, and paintings. He was working on a new painting that day.
When Hughie entered the room, he saw something surprising.
An old beggar was standing on a small platform.
The man looked very poor. His clothes were old and torn. His face was thin and full of lines. He looked tired and sad.
Hughie felt sorry for him.
“What a wonderful model!” Hughie said quietly.
“Yes!” Alan answered. “He is perfect for my painting.”
Hughie watched the old man. He looked very weak and unhappy.
After some time, Alan left the room for a few minutes.
The old man sat down to rest. He looked even more tired now.
Hughie checked his pockets. He did not have much money — only one gold coin and a few small coins.
He thought:
“This poor man needs money more than I do.”
So Hughie walked up to the old beggar and quietly gave him the gold coin.
The old man looked surprised.
“Thank you, sir,” he said softly.
Hughie smiled and left the studio.
Chapter 3: A Big Surprise
Later that evening, Hughie met Alan again.
Alan was laughing.
“You are a very generous man,” Alan said.
Hughie did not understand.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
Alan smiled and said:
“That old beggar… is not really a beggar.”
Hughie looked confused.
“He is Baron Hausberg — one of the richest men in Europe!”
Hughie was shocked.
“What?!” he cried. “I gave him a gold coin!”
Alan laughed loudly.
“Yes! You gave money to a millionaire!”
Hughie felt embarrassed.
“I made a big mistake,” he said.
But Alan shook his head.
“No,” he said. “The Baron liked you very much. He asked many questions about you.”
Hughie felt a little better, but still worried.
“What will he think about me?” he asked.
Alan smiled.
“He thinks you are kind.”
Chapter 4: A Wonderful Gift
The next morning, Hughie was having breakfast. A servant came with a card. A visitor wanted to see him.
Soon, an older man entered the room. He was polite and serious.
“I come from Baron Hausberg,” he said.
Hughie felt nervous.
“I am very sorry,” Hughie said quickly. “Please tell the Baron I did not know who he was.”
The man smiled.
“The Baron asked me to give you this,” he said.
He gave Hughie a letter. Hughie opened it slowly.
Inside, there was a message:
“A wedding gift to Hughie and Laura, from an old beggar.”
There was also a cheque. It was for ten thousand pounds. Hughie could not believe his eyes.
Now he could marry Laura.
Hughie and Laura got married soon after. It was a beautiful wedding. Alan Trevor was there, smiling and happy.
Baron Hausberg also came. He spoke kindly and wished them a happy life. Everyone was joyful.
Hughie learned an important lesson:
Kindness always brings good results.
Sometimes, when you give something small, you receive something very big.
