Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-25
N!ISCELL I.

The Crime of Delay.

Yor ask. dear jim, why took 50 much
interest in that boy will tell you, but
mark me, YOU must never allude to the sub
iect again. | had thought, that for my own
credit, no one should ever know the reason
Of my solicitude 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 itafects myself.
was not always, you are aware, dear
jim. the man you have recently known me.
once had position and influ ,nce, and when
YOU first knew me, had never done any act to
laing blush Of shame to the cheek OF friend
oi relative.
But of this, enough. 1t sufIiceth, that one
wear ago, or thereabouts, as | went to my
Office on beautiful morning in March, |
ahead of me, looking emaciated and yet
beautiful. There was a rcculiar-an exceed
inglv anxious look, that had never seen
before There was the face of a boy with
the 81 xiety Ufa man. 1t struck Inc as pccu-
liar at the first glance, and | stopped to look
at him. | perceived that it was with dill
Guilty he could restrain himself from sobbing
aloud. When he saw me, he repressed his
emotion and spoke up with an obvious effort
Of unconcern.
Please, Sir, arc you not the editor of
the -
4 am. said I, my fine fellow, and what
can do for you =
Mothers sick, sir, and we are very poor,
and want to get place to work
What can you do, said |,
%, will try to do anything ! he replied,
II but don t know what can do, for always
went to school before | came to California
will try to do anything
The bov had interested me. and though
am a callous man, whom butfeting with the
world has hardened prematurely. could NOT
allow him to leave me, till | had given hin
a work Of comfort.
NV fine fellow said I, can you come tC
my Office at seven O. oclock this evening =
| Il will he answered. will do anything
10 earn some money for my sick mother,
took five dollar piece from my pocket
and put it into his hand. Had right tt
/ doit, had often said ought to pay IN,
/ honest debts, before thought OF charity -
/ Had | II right to do it Yes.
The boy looked ut the money then h
/ looked at me, and then-burst into tears.
Dear jim, believe me, | had u great minC
I to cry, too. Said he. Did act like u littl
bcgglr |, As he spoke the word beggar'
! he burst out again, and the tears gushe'
/ forth afresh.
no my lad said /, but take thot t
YOUR mother, and this evening will hay
a place for YOU, So that you can earn tn
/ money. and when you have enough Of it, per
| haps YOU can pay Inc back.
/ lie held the coin towards me and said
Take the money! am not a beggar, an
as NV father, who is dead, and my mother
who Is dying, told me to starye sooner tha
bcg-l shall not take it.
lie was so earnest, that to have refused
would have offended him the more, and
requesting him to call on me at seven cloc
in the evening, told him to 60 home TO m
mother, and tell her that he had found
friend who would get him situation
lie tripped away with lighter heart.
went my way, thinking how | could ar
would Iefriend him. 1t was only the da
before, that friend had told me he wantt
a hoy of about his years. and if he was tait
ful and trustworthy, would pay him liher
salary. resolved in my own mind, wou
10 and see him Immediately after brea
fast. But,
The Eighty purpose never is o'ertook.
Unless the deed go with it
At the breakfast table got engaged in
angry, political discussion. The SENATOR
election was on the taps, and we had K
news that morning, that reverend Senate
belonging to our side, had sold out and go
over to the enemy. | went down town aft
breakfast to learn the facts of the matter.
| talked with one and another, till the ca
of the poor boy was quite driven out OF
head Before | returned, the dispatch
> began to arrive from the Capital, and wi
with talking to interested friends, and VT
ing for tho next mornings paper, | qu
forgot this pale-faced boy and his dyi
mother.
At seven o'clock lie came. My hei
?, smote me when | saw him, for had n
lected and forgotten my promises, Blu
told hin, ,-God forgive me,-not 50 mt
for the deception as the neglect tina
could not see the man whom thought wo
employ him, but il he would come the n
day at two O'Clock | would get him
situation, and pay him for the fret mont
r. salary in advance Detected, he turned "a
hi, heel and left the office The next mt
nd lug went to my friend store; he was
os' for a few minutes. While ] was standing
his door, an acquaintance with fine h,
and buggy, came along, and asked me to !
with him to the Mission. | at onco {
sented, thinking to call as | came in.
went to the Mission. from there to the r;
course Time few swiftly and before
IT aware oft, two o'clock had passed, al
of cane home to find that the boy had bee
ith sec ne and had gone away, did not {
red Dos. | would see him again that night,
ny would nut off the matter-so importan
III him-till the next morning. But he C
again in the evening, and had to tell
that | had been away. The next day,
twelve, however, should see him in
new place.
1t was nearly twelve the next day, wh
bethought myself of my promise. l ha'
, ed down to see my friend, and found Il
was too late the vacancy had been
about an hour before. Conscience smi
returned to my office, and met the
Cts anxious look as | entered the door. |
him had lust been to see about the p
ised situation, and it was taken. \
T. thought could get him place soon
thanEed me, but hls heart was bursting
-- saw that an anxiety, terrible for one So yo
was wearing his life away.
At. The next day found him place,
the engaged it for him. sat in my office
ing, wheu the door softly opened, an
~ eujcred lie was pale, but calmer
,boir had heiore seen him,
,IYi Ir,5 We'll, my lne fellow said !, i
. un. got YOU a place at last. You are to
twenty-five dollars week, and you
l.on have whole months salary in advar
" you like.
'o' lie came towards me and handed me
Of paper. 1t was a notice for the newsl
and announced the death Of has mother
have had many severe crosses, my
:. JIM have felt that all was lost, an
- my life was not worth a rush hay
. my londest hopes crushed by one fell
mum and have felt to cry out ia an agony
,ht in I.I ~ '1s' m s''SS lu' a,t,in,, m