Eastern times., 1855-09-13
Gge storp GelItr,
THE CRIME OF DELAY.

should ever know the reason of my sollcitude
concerning him, or why his death has affected
me so deeply. But he is dead now, and lest
you should misconstrue my interest in him to
my prejudice, will tell you frankly all that
know OF him, so far as it affects myself.
was not always, you are aware, dear Jim,
the man you have recently known me. once
had position and influence, and when you first
knew me, had never done any act TO bring a
blush of shame to the cheek of friend or rela-
tive.
But of this, enough. 1t sufficeth that one
year ago, or thereabouts, as went TO my Of
fee on a beautiful morning in March, no
uced boy walking down the street, Just ahead
of me, looking pale, emaciated, and yet beau
tiful, There was peculiar-an exceedingly
anxious look, that had never seen before
There was the face of boy with the anxiety
of man. 1t struck NE as peculiar at the first
glance, and | stopped to look at him. | per-
ceived that it was with difficulty he could re-
strain himself from sobbing aloud. When he
saw me 6e repressed his emotion, and spoke
up with an obvious effort OF unconcern.
Please, sir, are you not the editor of the
-!'
/ am said l, my fine fellow, and what
can do for youl'
Mothers sick, sir, and we are very poor,
and want to get place to work
What can you do 2 said l.
90, will try to do anything he replied !;
but don't know what can do, for always
went to school before came to California; |
will Try to do anything
The boy interested me, and though am a
calous man, whom buifeting with the world
has hardened premaurely, could not allow
him 10 leave me, till had given him word
of comfort
My fine fellow said l, scan you come 10
my office at seven O'Clock this evening!
Il wiTl,' he answered. will do anything
TO earn some money for my poor sick mother. ;
took five dollar piece from my pocket,
and put ii into his hand. Had a right to DO
it had often said ought to pay my honest
debts before thought of charity. Had l a
right to do it1 Yes
The boy looked at the money; then he
looked at me, and then burst into tears.
Dear Jim, believe me, had great mind
to cry, too. Said he, did act like little
beggarl' As he spoke the word 'beggar,' he
burst out again, and the tears gushed forth
afresh.
No, my lad said |. 'but take that to your
mother, and this evening l will have place
for you, SO that you can earn the money, and
when you have enough of it, perhaps you can
pay me back
He held the coin towards me, and said -
Take the money! am not beggar, and as
my father, who is dead, and my mother, who
is dying, told me TO starve sooner than beg-l
shall not take it,
He was so earnest, that to have refused,
would have offended him more, and so re-
questing him to call on me at seven o'clock in
the evening, told him to go home 10 his
mother, aud tell her he had found friend who
would get him situation.
He tripped away with lighter heart. l
went my way. thinking how could and would
befriend him. 1t was only the day before.
that friend had told me he wanted boy Of
about his years, and if he was faithful and
trustworthy would pay him a liberal salary.
resolved in my own mind, would 90 and
see him Immediately after breakfast. But,
The highty purpose never IS o'ertook,
Unless the deed 90 with it.
At the breakfast table | got engaged in an an
CRY, political discussion. The Senatorial
election was on the taps, and we had got news
that morning, that reverend Senator, be-
longing to our side, had sold out and gone over
TO the enemy. l went down town after break
fast to learn the facts of the matter. l talked
with one and another, till the case of the poor
boy was quite driven out of my head. Before
/ returned, the dispatches began to arrive
from the capital, and what with talking to in
terested friends, and writing for the next
mornings paper, quite forgot the pale-faced
boy and his dying mother.
At seven o'clock he came Nv heart smote
me when | saw him, for / had neglected and
forgotten my promises. But told him.
God forgive me,-not so much for the decep-
ton as the neglect,-that could not see the
man who l thought would employ him, but
if he would come the next day at two clock,
lwould get him the situation, and pay him the
first months salary in advance. Detected, he
turned upon his heel and left the office. The
next morning went to my friends store; he
was out for few minutes. While l was
standing in his door, an acquaintance with a
fine horse and buggy came along and asked
me to ride with him to the Mission. al
once consented, thinking to call as | came in.
Went to the Mission, from there TO the race
course. Time flew swiftly, and before | was
aware of it, two o'clock had passed, and
came home to find that the boy had been to
see me and had gone away. did moi. sup
pose would see him again that night, anc
would put off the matter-so important to hin
till the next morning. But he came again
in the evening, and l had to tell him that
had been away. The next day, at twelve
however, should see him in his new place.