The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1858-12-02

BLESSING OF A GOOD DEED.


IN lrrepresslOle pleasure.
Mr. Everett was a stock and money
broker, and had just made an "opera-
tion," by which a clear gain of two
thousand dollars was secured. He was
alone in his Office, or so much alone
as not so feel restrained by the pres
ence of another. And yet a pair Of
dark, sad eyes were fixed intenty up
on his self-satisfed countenance, with
an expression, had he observed it,
that would, at least, have excited a
moments wonder The owner Of this
pair Of eyes was a slender, rather
poorly dressed lad, in his thirteenth
year, whom Mr. Everett had engaged, a
short time previously, to attend in
his Office and run upon errands. He
was the son of a widowed mother, now
in greatly reduced circumstances
His father had been an early friend
of Mr. Everett 1t was this fact
which led to the boys introduction
into the brokers' Office.
"Two thousand dollarsl" The bro
ker had uttered aloud his satisfaction;
but now commUned with himself ST.
lently. "Two thousand dollarsl A
nice little sum, that. for a single days
work. 1 wonder what Mr.. jenkins
will say tomorrow morning, when he
hears of such an advance in these secu-
ritiesl"
From some cause this mental refer
ence to Mr. jenkins did not increase
our friends state Of exhicration Most
probably, there was something in the
transaction, by which he had gained so
handsome a sum of money that, in calm
er moments, would not bear too close a
scrutiny-something that Mr. Everett
would hardly like to have blazoncd
forth to the world. BE this as it
may, a more sober mood. in time, sue
ceeded, and although the broker was
richer by two thousand dollars than
when he arose in the morning.
he was certainly no happier
An hour afterwards, business friend
came into the Office of Mr. Everett and
said:
"Have You heard about Cnssen?'
"No; what Of him?'
"He's said to be off for California,
with twenty thousand dollars in his
pockets more than justly belong to
him"
"Whatl'
"Too true, I believe. His name is in
the list of passengers who left New
York in the steamer yesterday"
"Tho scoundrol" exclaimed Mr. Ev.
erett, who, by this time, was considera-
bly, excited.
"Ho owes you, does ho2' said the
friend.
81 lent him three hundred dollars on
| ly day before yesterday.
"a clear swindle"
eyes, it is. O, if [ could only gel
my hands on him!"
Mr.. Everett's countenance, as he
said this, did not wear a very amiable
expression.
'Don't get excited about it, said the
other. 81 think he has let you off quite
reasonably. Was that sum all he asked
to borrow"
eyes"
81 know two, at least, who are poorer
by couple of thousands by his absence.
But Mr.. Everett was excited. For
half an hour after the individual left
who had communicated this piece of un,
pleasant news, the broker walked the
floor of his Office with compressed lips
lowering brow, and most unhappy
feelings The two thousand dollars
gain in no way balanced in his mind
the three hundred dollars lost The
pleasure created by the one had not
penetrated deep enough to escape OBJ
liberation by the other.
OF all this the boy with the dark sad
eyes had taken quick cognizance AnC
he comprehended ell. Scarcely a mo.
ment had his glance been removed from
the cOuntenance or form Of Mr. Ever
EFT, while the latter walked, with uneasy
steps, the floor Of his Office.
As the afternoon waned. the brokers
mind grew ealmer. The first excite
ment, produced by the loss, passeC
away; but it left sense of depression
and disappointment that completely
shadowed his feelings,
Intent as had been the lads observa
ton of his employer during all thi
time, it is a little remarkable that Mr.
Everett had not once been conscious Of
the fact that the boys eyes were steadi
| ly upon him. In fact, he had been, al
was usually the case, too much absorbed
in things concerning himself, to notice
what was peculiar to another, unless tn,
popularity were one readily used to hi
own advantage.
"John," said Mr.. Everett, turning
suddenly to the boy, and encounterinl
his large, earnest eyes, "take this not,
around to Mr.. Legrand,"
"John sprang to do his bidding, re
ceived the note, and was OF with uuu
sual Heetness. But the door whicl
closed upon his form did not shut ou
the expression Of his sober face and hu
mid glance from the vision of Mr. Ev
erett. In fact, from some cause tear
had sprung to the eyes of the musinl
boy, at the very moment he was calle,
upon to render a service, and, quioke
than usual though his motions were, b
had failed to conceal them,
A new train Of thought now enteret
the brokers mind. This child Of hi
? old friend had been taken into his ofic
from a kind Of charitable feeling
Though Of very low vitality. He pai