The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-11-09
NO. 81,

engaged In the erection OF some ol tue
costliest cdifccs with which it is adorned.
Steadily as be had gone up had his old
master, Bellrose, the carpenter, gone down,
until, from being a master builder, he
was reduced to the condition of mere
iobber and box-maker. Nor was this the
worst feature in bis case-he was in debt,
and, hard pressed By his creditors, one OF
whom, more urgent than the rest, had
seized upon the little lumber that was in
his shop, all his tools, except single chest,
and the furniture in his dwelling, which
were all advertised to be sold at sheriff s
sale in about week.
This was the state of things when Bell
rose shut up his shop one evening, and
went home with gloomy brow. He was
pretty well advanced in years, and all bis
children were off Of his hands except one
boy, about thirteen years of age. the
Youngest and the one most loved by both
father and mother All the other boys
had learned or were learning trades
For Edwin, the youngest, they looked
for something better. Him they intended
to educate for one of the professions, and,
as he showed great fondness for learning
their ambition to see him rise in the
world. by means Of liberal education,
was laudabie.
The wife of Bellrosc was not ignorant
Of the position ofaffars. She knew that
all they had was in the hands of the
sheriff, and she also knew that her hus-
band had, thus far, tried in vain to gesr
some friend to aid him in his extremity.
Anxiousy did she look in his face, as be
entered his house on that evening, but
there was no light there. All was still
gloomy.
Can nothing be done, husband p she
said when they were alone, after tea
"Will no one 90 your security, and thus
save our goods"
Il have asked two or three since morn
ing, but no body is willing to risk any
thing for me- As | am known-to be
heavily in debt, l cannot blame people
for being cautious"
won't the man who has sued wait
longer!"
NO. I have seen him, to give me
more time. But he is as hard as iron
/ lie will not bend an inch. All, me. man
is hard and cruel to his fellow
/ As Bellrose said this, the image of
Frederick Marshall came up suddenly be-
/ fore him, and, with the recollection Of his
/ old apprentice, came also the recollection
( of bis own hardness and cruelty towards
him when boy. A flush ofshamo burn
/ ed on MS cheeks.
Don't you think Frederik Marshall
would assist you?" suggested the wife
"He's getting we'll of, it is said"
/ Mo- was the quick, stern answer.
and Bellrose shook his head almost shud-
derincly. II would see all lost rather
than 90 to h51a!'
His wife sighed deeply.
Before either spoke again, there came
knock at the door, and few moments
afterwards we'll dressed man entered,
and bowed respectfully. They knew him
; in an instant. 1t was he of whom they
had Just been speaking. Marshall ad-
vanced towards his OLD master, and ex-
tended his hand with cheerful smile,
and then shook the hand Of Mrs. Bell
rose quite cordially. He had not seen
the latter for ten years.
In spite of the frankness and warmth
of manner with which Marshall treated
them. BalIrosc and his wife felt constrain-
ed and conscience stricken. The post
came up before their minds too yiyidly.
Bellrosc remembered the cruel stripes,
for i,ht causes, that he had too often laid
upon the shrinking boy, and the injustice
with which he had treated him from the
first to the last; the memory OF his wife
| was a!,o prolific Of scenes and incidents
, that she would have given much to have
T blotted out at that moment.
Il was very sorry to learn to-day, for
, the first time, Mr.. Bellrose, that you were
y in some trouble said Marshall. Ii
can aid you in any way, 1t Will give me
e real pleasure to DO So.
! This came so unexpectedly, that Bell
rose was unable to make any reply. He
felt it as keen rebuke, and would have
firmly declined the services so timely
E profered, had not thought Of lis wife
n and son pressed itself into his mind.
\ You have met with good many loss
es, | understand" resumed Marshall
c feeling that he had perhaps, too abruptly
c introduced the subject of his visit
0 "Yes-a good many" replied Beiirose
0 sadly. Il have lost all, and more thar
:. all ever made
> 1T pains me to hear you say so. bu'
we should never despond
h "A youug man need not desPond' but
: when man reaches my age, anu the tide
offortune sets against him, he has a smal
made chance of making headway.
L have hut little hope in the future, Fred
. ciick.'
~ ''Do not say SO, l trust you will have
IS many prosperous gales yet"
+ But Bellrose shook his heal.
v "Who is pressiniug you 50 hard at thl'
If timer
; Marshall asked, after silence OF som'
!. time.
= "Parker," was the brief reply
: "The hardware dealer
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