The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-06-26


and flowers, laid him in dishonored grave.
Walter at the time Of his fathers death
was eleven years old his mother had ever
inculatee in his youthful mind right princi.
pies OF truth, honor and sobriety, and her
teachings had been planted in a genial soil,
where they took deep root, and brought
flowers that never faded. -. ...l. =.
His fathers death was indeliLly impressed
upon his memory; yet lie was his father,
and when he thought OF it, he pited, instead
OF rcproached, the memory of one who had
gone 10 give an account to n righteous Judge
Of the talents entrusted to his charge.
After the estate WAS settled, Mrs. Clark
found that they were nearly penni esq, and
that their united exertions would be required
to keep them from actual want. Waiter
Immediately left the sch DOL, where he was
bright ornament, and sought employment
whereby he might assist his mother, whose
delicate health forbade much exertion.
He was not long in securing place rs
errand boy in large store, ut a small sala.
ry. Here he commenced to earn his own
livelihood at the age Of twelve His employ
er was not long in detecting his sterling
qualities, that rendered him in short time
almost invaluable in the store; he was more
than usually industrious and honest in every
sense Of the word. If his mother had cause
| to lament his fathers failings, she had cause
to thank God that her son had inherited his
goodness without his bad qualities. and that
he would become au honorable, useful mem
| Der of society,"
Walter, although deprived Of his school.
| nevertheless kept up his studies every spare
moment he had; and at the age of sixteen
WAS equal, if not ahead, of many whose
whole Time had been devoted to study.
About this time he was called upon to
part with his mother, the guardian angel Of
his infancy and youth. 1t was hard trial
for the poor orphan boy. There is none
like mother; mo voice like mothers; no
heart like mothers. None but those who
have been called upon to sustain such loss
can appreciate Walters feelings when he
stood over the cold, rigid form Of clay, and
knew henc.forth he was motherlcss, hence.
forth he must tread the path of life alone
through all its devious wiudings, its ups and
downs, its highways and byeways there
would be no kind voice with gentle admoni
| tions to warn him when dangers press round;
no hand to lead lin out of the crooked
ways back to the straight and narrow path.
lle gazed long and earnestly, kissed the
marble brow, and clasped the pulscleSs hand,
yet he could not fully realize she was gore
! forever and ever. He waited for the still,
cold lips to speak 10 him AS Of yore, but in
vain. The icy messenger, death, had ac.
complished its mission, and borne one more
spirit to the right hand Of Him who hat,
said, Come unto me all ye that labor and
are heavy laden, and will give you rest
With heavy heart, Walter turned from
his mothers new made grave, through the
narrow palngs that enclosed the city of 81
lcnce, into The broad road Of life, where the
hurrying to and fro Of pedestrians, the rumb
ling Of vehicles, the distant cline of bells
the fall of the hammer, and the grating
sound Of hand organs, accompanied by shril
voices, were each trying to Guido one an.
other. All failed 10 arrest his attention
lie hurried to his lonely home, where in
solitude and silence he passed the first even
ing and night after his mothers burial.
The next morning, having girded on his
armor and wrapped his great sorrow deeT
in his heart from the prying gaze of the
multi tudc, he once more entered upon his
duties at the store, where he had become cs.
sential, and was regarded With more than
ordinary interest bp the proprietors.
Among the many that Waiter had met
in the course Of business, was one Mr.. Stan.
ford, an elderly gentleman, and bachelor,
who, having in frequent business transactions
become thoroughly acquainted with his char.
acter, formed deep attachment for him.
and after his mothers death offered 10 adopt
| him as his own son and make him co-heir
with Leo Coyle his nephew, he being the
nearest relative he knew of, and the only son
Of favorite sister.
When the proposition was made to Wal.
ter, he hardly knew what to say, and asked
| short time to consider the matter. He ai
once asked the advice of his employer, who
urged him to accept the proposition, which,
he did, and was soon installed in his new
home, surrounded by all the advantages
that unlimited wealth could bring, and was
as happy a. could be after such loss as he
had been called upon to bear.
l. Leo Coyle was two years Walters senior
he had been with his uncle from early in
fancy, and no pains nor expense had been
spared to educate him in the best manner
K. N well rs he could take education, rs his
uncle soon found his capacity WAS very liin
/, ted, and consoled himself that If he did moi
make brilliant msn, he would. at least, b
an honest, upright one. In this he wa,