Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-04-09
FIFTY CENTS IN ADVANCE.
VOLUME 25, NO. 20.

employment ol higher grade than this,
should say'"
81 should have liked something different.
Of course, sir. I tried. and tried very earn
c.tly. too, for several weeks. u get place
in an oficc. or store, or something Of tho
kind but there werc too many applicants
already"
"All tho PLACES filed, ch' Well. even
In that case. good Recommendation may
do wonders. Had you no wealthy friend 70
help YOUR
None. sir. am a stranger in this city"
This answer called two or three frvsh
question. from the old gentleman. which
drew FROM Harry the history Of his family
fortunes and misiortunes: 70 this account
his auditor listened with the deepest aiton-
ton. There were very few with whom tho
lad would have been 80 frank. bat there was
something In the countenance OF bis ques-
toner. - much VI kindlincss, Of interest
and sympathy In that and in his manner Of
questioning. that IIarry's confidence wa.
At once gained. The old gentleman heard
him 10 the end, aud then seemed 10 fall into
thought. Soon. however. he reused himself
from his reyerie.
Yours is a very interesting history, my
lad" he said. '' You have truly fallen in
10 sad circumstances the eKcrtions you
have made To cItrieate yourself are truly
creiitablc. But there are no, many who
in your place. would be willing TO push
those c1er,ions 81 far; scarce one who would
not consider himself degraded by doing what
you are doingnow. They would ba ashamed
to do it. How is /. with your"
81 DO no, feel myself degraded, sir, was
Harry, quit, respectful, yc, dignided re-
ply. IL am not ashamed Of an honorable
employment. do not like it, IL Is true
this wood.awing; bat 1t Is an honest occu-
patton at least. aud a. fsr those who would
snccr at it, their opinion would not trouble
me, for should not Tor one momen, think
il wo.th caring for."
Harry. continuing his task. did not $50
the expression Of pleasure that the declaa-
ton OF thesi independent sentiments caused
70 ligh, up In the coun,enancc OF bis hearer.
But the old gentleman made no observation.
concerning them. However, after mo-
nenIs silence he said
$50, my hoy, you would like something
different from this to do9 some occupation
more congenial 10 your tistcs2 think
may do something fur ypu," sud the Old
gentleman, watching Harry narrowly as h,
made this proposition. "if ypu will put
un your J,cke,. and throw aside tless tools,
and - with me T. ny ohce.'
B Harry had lJokrd -uidcnly up. with an
eager face. aud half suspended his u'S 1t
th..e delightful words.
"You are very good indeed.' he a,ii.
smiling brightly. Here, however. hi. glance
turned, as hc bethought himself at that
moment, 10 the work upon which he ws
engaged. Tho smlo ha!f.fiiei from his
face, lost in a thoushtful and slightly anI-
ious look. =" Bat, SIR" he continued,
+" much as should like to, | cannot 90,
just nov, anywhere. have engaged TO
saw this wood. and ! must not leave /, un-
I'll it il finished. You see. however, it's
more than half done, already. | should DO
very glad to sec you this afternoon, or in
the evening IL you please"
"You consider yourself bound, then, to
finish what You have engaged 10 dot"
querlcd the old gentleman, without answer
ing this last remark directly.
30, yes, sir" answered Harry, In sub
iuei, yet somewhat surprised and anxious
tone. " certainly do"
The gentleman slightly smiled, 4 smile Of
secret satisfaction At the result Of his clever
test Of lIarry's principles.
Well, we'll. my lad" he said, cheerful
ly. ego on with your work finish il tup
we'll aud thea go home. And instead Of
your coming To seo me, | will come and see
you tins evening at eight O'Clock. Let me
write down your address, IL You please"
And he took pocke,.book aud pencil from
his pockrt.
Harry told him the stree, and the number;
the old gentleman noted both, put up tho
book aud pencil, aud then gave his card to
Harry. "And now,'' he said, with smile.
.' le, US shake hands, my young friend.
People do .hase hands over bargain, don'I
tbey9 And ours is almost that"
A cordial smile Frightened Harry. face.
too; and they shook hands like old friends
and parted.
The boy would almost have thought ita
dream, when the gentleman was gone, but
for tho card ,ha, lay in his hand. and which
he now examined for the frat time. Il bore
the addres. Of one Of the mos, eminent mer-
chants in the city. lie finished his work.
received dollar and half, and with .
light and joyful heart, though with weary
limbs, wen, home. Ills mother, who had
been somewhat troubled at his long absence,
welcomed him gladly, while, with quick
glance, reading the good news in his face.
she inquired, with sanguine hopes, concern.
ing his success. Her joy was no less than
lis us he told her.
"It is excellent, Harry" she said. 'rnil.
ing. "well. we will pay what ypa have
received to Mrs. Gray. Then YOU shall
have some supper; YOU need il adly, my