Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-07-15
We, mother >?

1Aoui0 VIC ACSp At--hu6I6 NOuI0 our
honor be? The next time you met Mr..
Thompson, you'd fear to look him in the
face. You could not look at him with
the happy consciousness of your own in
nocence. There would be taint upon
your character-a sting in your SOUL
Oh, would you keep it, Abel?'
No, my mother, I would not. No,
no-I'll carry it back this very night
You might wait until morning, for
you must get me some wood now
The purse was laid away in u place of
safety, and on the following morning
Abel started off bright and early, and
walked with light and buoyant step,
for he was satisfied with the work be
was doing.
Mr.. Thompson lived in a fine large
mansion on the top of a gentle eminence,
at short distance from the road. and
was surrounded by park Of noble trees.
Abel took his way up the neatly gravel
ed walk, and met the owner upon the
broad piazza.
DO you wish to see me, sir?' asked
the host. He was a kind, generous
looking man; stout and corpulent, with
a face full of health and good nature.
Yes, SIR answered Abel promptly.
at the same time ascending the piazza
I found purse last evening, and on
opening it we found your name upon it.
And who is aCe ?
Ny mother and me, sir
Then you did not think you needed
the money!
! Sir? returned the youth, with en-
quiring gaze.
Seeing that you bring the money tC
me, I suppose you had no use for it.
Use for it, sir?' repeated Abel, at {
loss how to understand the man.
/ 'Oh! God knows we had use for It
but not so much as we have for our hon
or and truth.
Were you afraid to keepit" pursued
Mr.. Thompson, in the same peculia
tone.
Afraid what do you mean? Do
love my mother because I'm AFRAID t,
hate her? brought your money bacl
because it was yours, and not mine
Thus speaking, Abel handed the gentle
man the purse and turned away. MI
/ Thompson did not say word, and tn
youth kept on, feeling glad that he ha
done right; yet at the same time almos
= ready to cry at the reception he had me
with.
When he reached home he sank int
a chair, and leaned his head upon hi
hand.
Why, what's the matter, Abel?' ash
5 ed his mother, in alarm.
But before he could answer, they wer
both startled by hearing a horse trot U
? to the door. 1t was Mr.. Thompson
= He dismounted, and as the door We
] open, he entered without ceremony. Il
l bid the widow a cheerful good mornin
F and then took seat.
d I've come on business, and l may ;
r well proceed at once. Then turning
+ Abel, he asked:
Are you engaged at present.
n No, SIR replied the youth eagerl
n for the man spoke very kindly.
is Wouldn't you like something to do
ofI sOh, yes, sir. I spent all the d'
e yesterday in looking after work. N
ID mother is not well, and I must ca,
something
as 'Can you write?'
Yes, sir
Pretty well?'
Yes, sir. My mother has taught L
st more than l should have learned
le school,
You can cypher, them
Sc yes, sir. 1 have been pretty tht
If oughly as far as cube root.
Can you drive two horses 2
+ Yes, sir. I drove the stage FRI
here to G1antborough good many tin
q? last winter
Then 1 think you are just the m
on I want in a few days. I snail ha
th some sauce to send to the city, and
p yet I have engaged no one to take char
of that department, the last two year
al have lost considerable by dishonest nj
The man who carries my produce
ng marker, has considerable money to c
he lect; sometimes it viii average a h'
ice dred dollars a day for week at til
III When buy up fruit and berries to ST
to the city, the receipts are consideral
it, How should you ike the place ?
Nc sJ nouId he with nv mother at Mol