St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-03-25

y
spect for me left, wish you to tc
me-"
The youth struggled with his enc
tons awhile and finally he answcre
in spasmodic, broken tonc,-
81 will tell you, sir but, o, yo
must not think l have broken fait
with you. could not help it! Blu
henceforth may redeem all. l cal
stay beneath your roof no more.
cannot remain where"
The young man broke down here
and turned away to hide his emotions
"Olivcr Hudson" spoke the mer
chant, almost sternly, IL thought 20,
knew me better. Your present cours,
indicates but little confidence in on
who has thus far been to you tru,
friend. Do you remember a CONVEX
sation you held with Albert Ryder
some three months before l took yor
into my family?"
Oliver started, for the memory Of
that meeting with his quandam com
panion flashed upon him at once.
Yes, sir" he replied. II remem
Der it WELL"
"And l overheard every word you
uttered on that OCCASION" resumed
the merchant earnestly. al knew
that one who held the principles YOU
then advocated who held in sucl
deep reverence the memory and les
sons of a mother and who was de
tcrmined to live up to them, must be
pure minded, honorable and virtuous
youth. For three months thereafter
watched you narrowly, and engaged
one in whom l could confide to watch
you evenings. The result was, that
found you all | hoped. And then came
a deeper and more important plan. !
had child whose future welfare was
my utmost anxious study. She must
have companionship; and early COM
panionship does much towards sha-
ping human destiny. She would soon
find associates in the opposite sex.
looked around, among her acquaintan
ces, / could not find the youth whom
l could fully trust. There may have
been many but l did not put conf
dcnce in the influences which surroun-
ded them. l brought you here, Oil
yer, and when l found how firm you
were in truth, how stern in duty, and
how mild and gentle in disposition, !
hoped that you might live on to man.
hood, and that, at the proper time, /
might place my child in your keeping
that she might be yours to love and
honor-yours to guard and protect
yours forever I! She loves you, Oliver
she has loved you a long time. She
would be very unhappy if you were to
go away; and should you stay away,
one Of the brightest hopes of my life
would be wrested from me What
say you now?"
The youth caught his employer by
the hand, but he could only say
"God bless you !"
And that was enough.
From that hour the old Joy came
back to divers face, and he was
happy as man can be. He held Emf
~ to his bosom and told his love and
when she smiled the happy answer,
they wept together for pure Joy.
And yet time passed on. Oliver
Hudson became the partner Of Elisha
Rushton in business, and when he had
seen the full bloom Of manhood he led
Emily to the altar, and became the
husband of eae Of tho fairost and no
blest daughters of the city. His aged
mother was present at the nuptials,
and as she gazcd upon her boy she felt
that in the pride and joy of tho pres
cnt moment sho was more than repaid
for all her care and anxiety in the
past.
Oliver had looked for his old friend,
Albert Ryder, but he could not find
him. He had left Mr.. Buxton's store
and they knew not where he had gone.
Time rolled on, and Oliver became
a father. One day as he was coming
up from ship. the cargo of which be-
longed to him, he saw poor, bloated,
ragged outcast lying under some
boards on the pier. He stopped and
sazed into that face. Could it be
possible? Yes. 1t was Albert Ry-
der.
Oliver spoke to him, but he was
senseless. Then he went back to the
ship, and called up two of the men,
and had them carry the senselcss form
to the nearest place of refuge. Here
he engaged a nurse and provided for
all the poor mans wants, and left a
note for Albert, in which he stated
that if he would try to help himself be
should be saved.
At the end of month, Albert Ry-
der took place in divers store. He
was thin, pale and weak and his
frame trcmbled F; and but for the stern
kindness, and mild promptness of his
true friend, he would have fallen back.
But he conquered the enemy at last.
lie became man once more, though
not the happy joyous man he might
have been. His youth was gone, and
all its memories were sad and bitter.
He was man indeed, but, alas there
were traces of the wreck which could
not be efraccd. Away in the quiet
church-yard Of his native village there
was a grave DER which the tall grass
Of twelvemonth waved. His moth.
er's Wondering form lay there Her
gray hairs had been brought down in
sorrow to the narrow house of clay, |
and the prodigal son knew that he was
guilty /!
On had it not been for that, he
night have been happier. But he
sought the balm Of contritc heart, and
lsked God to forgive him. He per-
ormed his duties well, as a faithful
Jerk and salesman. lie regarded his
companion in youth
is savior now--with feelings of the
ecpest reverence and love. He en-
lated divers virtues, and strove to
epay him for all his kindness but
'livers happiness he could not reach.
hat was based upon the true found
lion x.,tic1, ho hol ,,o~.Iooxol A.