Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-10-25

towering brow,and most unhappy feel.
ing. The two thousand dollars gain ia
no way balanced the three hundred lost.
The pleasure created by the one, had moi
penetrated deep enough - escape oblit.
Grafton by the other.
Of all this, the boy with the dark sad
eyes had taken quick cognizance. And
he comprehended /, all. Scarcely q
moment had his glance been removed
from the countenance or fom Of Mr..
Everett, while the latter walked, with
uneasy steps, the n oor Of his office.
As the afternoon wancd, the brok er's
mind grew calmcr. The first excitement
produced by the loss, passed away; but
II lief! sense Of depression and disap.
poiniment that completely Swallowed his
feelings.
Intent as had been the lads obscrva.
lion OF his employer during all this time,
it is little remarkable that Mr.. Everett
had not once been consc ous Of The fact
that the boys eyes were steadily upon
him. In fact, he had been, as was usu.
things concerning himself, to notice
what was peculiar TO another, unless the
peculiarly were one readily used 10 his
own advantage.
"John," said Mr.. Everett, turning
suddenly 10 the boy, and encountering
his large, earnest eyes, "tako this note
around 10 Mr.. Legrand."
John sprang TO do his bidding; receiv.
ed the note, and was oil with unusual
lcctncss. But, the door which closed
upon his form, did not shut out the
depression o his sober face and humin
glance from the vision Of Mr.. Everett.
In fact. from some cause, tears had
sprung TO the eyes Of the musing boy, at
the very moment he was called upon TO
render service; and, quicker than usu.
al though his motions were, he had fail.
ed to conceal them.
A new train Of thought new entered
the brokers' mind. This child Of his old
friend had been tnken into his Office from
n kind Of charitable feclng--thoush Of
very low vitality. He paid him cou.
pie Of dollars week, and thought little
more abou him, or his widowed mother.
He had too many important interests OF
his own n, stake, to have his mind turn.
aside for ,rfling matter like this. But,
now, as the image Of that sad face-for ii
was unusually sad at the momen, when
Mr.. Everett looked suddenly towards
the boy-lingered in his mind. growing
every moment more distinct. and more
touchinely beautiful, many consiLera.
lions Of duty and humanity were excited.
He remembered hi. old friend, and the
pleasant hours they had spout together,
in years long since passeI, ere generous
feelings had hardened into ice, or given
place to an ali.pcrvading selfishmess.-
He remembered, TOO, the beautiful girl
! his friend presented 10 their little
would as his bride. The lai hal her
large. da,k, spiritual eyrs-oniy the
! light Of Joy had faded thcfelfam, giving
| place TO strange sadness.
All this was now presen, TO The mini
OF Mr.. Everett, and though he tried,
once or twice, during the boys absence,
to obi er,,c t ese rc, !Iciions, he was
! unable to do so.
CHOW is your mother, John?" kindly
asked The broker, when the laI returned
from his elrand.
Tho question was so unexpected, ,ha,
it conGusei him.
'Shc's we'll thnnk-thank YOU sir
No--not very we'll, cilhcr--IhaEk you,
sir"
And the boys face flushed, and his
eyes su!!use;l.
"Not very we'll, you say?" Mr.. Ever.
cit spoke with Kindness, AMI in tone
OF interest. mot sick, hopes"
ono, sir; no, very sick. but"
"Bui what, John," sail Mr.. Eveiett,
'cncouraainsly.
"Shc's in trouble )" half .tummersl
the boy, while the color dccpened on his
face.
"hh, indeed? I'm sorry for that
What is the trouble, John?"
The tears, which John had been vain.
ly striving TO repress, now gushed over
his face, and with boysh shame for
the weakness, he turned away and stIug.
gle for q time with his over mastering
feelings.
Mr.. Everett was no little moved by
so unexpected an exhibition. He wait.
ed with new born consideration for the
boy, not unmingled with respect. until
a measure of calmness was restored.
"John." he then said, elf your mother
is in trouble,it may be in my power to
relieve her."
20, sir!" exclaimed the lad. eagerly,
coming up to Mr.. Everett, and. in the
fofgetfulness of the moment, laying his
small hand upon that Of his employer.
"ir you will, you can"
Hard indeed would have been the
heart that could have withstood the ap.
pealing eyes lifted by John Levering to
the face Of Mr. Everett. But Mr., Ever.
EFT had not hard heart. Love of self
and the world had encrusted it with in.
difference towards others; but the crust
vas now broken through.
"Speak freely, my good lad," said he,
kindly. "Tell me Of your mother. What
is her trouble?" ,... n
1--WE are very poor, SIR" Tremulous
and mournful was the boys voice. "And
mother isn't we'll. She does all she can;
and my wages help little. But, there
are thre Of US children; and am the old.
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