The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-23

small stationer 10 small country town, with
salary barely sufficient to keep him 10
clothes. was little, spare, sharp-faced man.
| who seemed 10 have worn himself away with
continual fretfulness and vexation. He was
Perpetually fretiing, perperuaIly finding faul,
with something or other. perpetualy think
ing that something was going wrong. Tho
he did cease TO go iuto a passion with and 10
strike Stephen. yet the poor lad was an OBJ
ject always near on which to vent his i'll hu-
NOR.
Many, many times was Stephen on the
point oflosing heart and temper; but he was
able to control himself by thinking of his
mother. And, as he said, there was always
comfort in those Saturday nights and blessed
Sundays, and his testament readings TO his
mother would always strengthen his often
wavering faith in her prophecies Of good in
the end, would cheer his spirit, and nerve
him with fresh resolution for the coming week.
And what was II that the widow hoped would
result from this painful bondage? She did
not know-she only had faith in her doctrine
that industry would one day be rewarded
HOl1 the reward was 10 come in her sons
case, she could not see. II seemed likely
indeed, from all circumstances. that the doc
trine in this case would prove false But still
she had faith 1t was now nearly four years
since the conversation detailed between the
mother and son. They we're together again
on the Saturday evening. Stephen had now
grown into tall, manly youth, with a kind
and thoughtful expression of countenance.
Mary looked much older, thinner, paler, and
more anxious. Both were at this moment
looking very downcast.
Il do not see that any thing can be hoped
from him. said Stephen with sigh. 4 have
now served him faithfully for FIVE years.
have borne patiently all bis i'll humor have
never neen absent moment from my post.
and during all thai Time, notwithstanding this,
he has never so much as thanked me, he has
never given me single kind word or even
kind look. He mus. know thai, my apprentice
ship will be out on Tuesday, yet he never
says word to me about IT, and suppose
must 90 without word
You must speak, said Mary-you cannon
go without saying somcrhing--and tell him
exactly how you are situated he cannot re-
fuse to do something 10 help you
1T is easy enough TO talk of speaking to
him. mother, but not so easy to do it.
have eften before thought Of speaking to
him, and begging little more salary. But
now | seemed 10 feel that he would refuse
me, and | felt too proud to ask favor that
most likely would be refused. But it shall
he done now, mother | will not be burden
to you if can helpit. I'D soonerdo anything
than that. He ought to do something for
me, and there's no one else that | know 81
who can. | ioiH speak to him on Monday
Monday was come-alI day Stephen had
been screwing up his courage for the task he
had TO do, of course, i; could not be done
when he and his master were in the shop to-
gether. forthey were liable att any moment
to be interrupted. AT dinner time they sep
arated, for they took the meal alternately.
that the post in the shop might never be de-
serted. But now the days work was over
every thing was put away, and the master
and apprentice had retired into the little b C,
paror to take their tea. AS usual, they
were alone, for the stntioDer wac a single
his temper) and the meal was usually taken
in silence. Stephens master had poured
out for him his first, cup of tea, handed il
TO him without looking at him and began to
swallow his own portion. Stephen allowed
his cup TO remain untouched before him he
glanced timidly towards his master, drew
deep breath, colored slightly and then be-
gan
'Ifyou please. sir, wish 10 speak with
you
His master looked up with sudden jirk
ofthc head, and fixed hls keen grey eyes on
poor Stephens face. He did not seem at all
surprised. and said sharply. land he had
very sharp voice.
We'll, sir, speak on.
Stephen was determined not TO be dis
couraged, so he began to tell his little tale.
His voice faliered at first, but as he went oil
he became quite eloquent. and spoke with a
holiness thai quite astonished himself. de
forgot his master, and thought only OF his
mother. He told all about her poverty, and
struggles to get living. He DIV cit strongly
hut modestly on his own conduct during his
apprenticeship, and finished by enlreaIins
his master now to help him 10 90 something.
for he had nothing in the world to turn to,
no money, no friends, no influence.
His master heard him to the end. He had
soon Withdrawn his eyes from Stephens agi-
taed (ace,-then partially averted his face.
then left his seat, and advanced TO a side ia
bic, where he began TO rum mage among
some papers with his back 10 Stephen.
Stephen had ceased speaking for some
time before he made any reply. Then, still
without turning round, he spoke, beginning
with sort of grunting speculation, 'Humph !!
30 your mother gets her living by mansling,
does she! and she thought that il she gor
you some schooling, and taught you to be-
have yourself your fortune would be made
Well, you will be free TO Tomorrow you
may go TO her and tell her she is fool for |
her pains. Here srs your indentu es, and |
here's the salary that's due 10 you. Now
you may go to bed
As he spoke the last words. he had taken
The indenIures from his desk and the money
from his purse. Stephen felt ii choking SEN
saiion in his throat as he look from his hands |
The paper and the money; he would even
have uttered the indignation he felt, but,
DeGore he could speak. his master had left the
room. Disappointed and heart sick, and
feeling Inundated that be should have asked
, favor Of such man, the poor lad returned
10 his garrett, and it was almost time to get
up in the morning before he could fall a.