The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-30

inflamed to fever heat by the inadverten
descent Of heavy nailed boot heel on hi
favorite corn. At all times he considered
orange.boys q nuisance, but just now hi
slender quota Of patience was entirely ex
hausted. He aimed muttered oath and
furious blow at the fair.haired boy, and rush
cd past to catch retreating omnibus. Ja'
mie sprang aside Just in time to escape the
brutal blow. but It descended full upon his
stock in trade, scattering the apples and or
anges far and wide! He was standing close
to the pier, and most Of the fruit fell intc
the water, where it went bobbing up and
down with the tide, in most tantalizing
manner. A few apples rolled under tho feel
Of the crowd, but it was impossible to secure
them again.
Jamie's first sensation was that Of indig.
nant wrath; the blood rushed in angry tor.
rents to his cheek and brow, and he shook
his small fist impotently in the direction
which the fat man had taken. But In an In.
slant feeling Of forlorn wrelchedness came
over him-no tempting bit Of cake-no pur-
pie grapes for poor Kuty-perhnps not even
supper, for he knew that his mothers wa
ges must 20 towards the rent Of the room.
They depended entirely on his exertions for
their evening meal, and the sun was.declln-
in the west already.
The reflection was too much for his boy
ish heart, and he was sobbing violently, when
a gentle hand was laid on his shoulder. lie
started up, and before him stood pleasant
gentleman, who had watched the whole tran.
sacticn.
There, my boy hc said, laying a silver
dollar in the boys hand, that will set you
up again. No thanks; the money was IN.
tended for u piece of extravaganza, and l
choose TO use It thus. But remember this
my boy when you are pushed down in the
race, don't stop TO rub your bruises. but pick
yourself up and start again!
jamie thought the smile with which this
was said, the pleasantest and kindest express
sion that ever frightened human face
but ere he could stammer out his thanks,
the gentleman was gone. =,
The boy started for home with light and
joyous heart, stopping to purchase the cher
ished morsels of fruit and cake on his way.
The gentleman walked leisurely up Broad
way. Seeing in bookstore the title OF
newly published work that he had much de-
sired to read, his footsteps inyountarily turn
ed in that direction, but in an instant he
went on, buttoning up his pockets. and mur-
muring to himself with smile, Cant al
ford It one luxury in day ought to be
enoughv There was vast difference be-
tween the man and the child, in their ca
pacities for enjoyment, but both were happy
that night.
The supper was a Joyful ceremony in the
garret room that evening. The grapes
pleased Kate's delicate taste to a charm, and
the story of the dollar was listened to with
interest.
Il wish could see the kind gentleman,
said the child earnestly i would give him
nv beautiful rose, il he liked flowers
She looked strangely beautiful that night,
her head resting on her brothers shoulder,
while jamie fed her with the juicy berries,
one by one as bird might feed its young.
'Why, how bright the coler in her cheek
is,' said jamie; 4 believe you have been
stealing the red shadows from your favorite
rose. Mother, am sure Katy will get WE'LL
The next morning, while yet the golden
spear Of sunrise was in rest among the pur-
pie hills, Katy died. =,
The moss of twenty years had gathered
upon Katy's head-stone-the violets Of TWEEN.
ty years had blossomed over her grave, and
It was a glorious autumn day, whose light
streamed along the busy thoroughfare, and
shone on the magnificent marble erection
devoted to the extensive operations OF the
celebrated Bank Of X.
A splendid carriage cushioned with vel
vet, and glittering with the sunshine, was
drawn opposite the door, waiting to take
the great banker to the palatial home'
The spirited horse, foaming, prancing,
could hardly be curbed, and the driver look
ed wonderingly towards the door, and mar.
veled why his usually Punctual master did
not come.
Mr.. Arnet stood in little office opening
from the main bank, where the long rows OF
clerks were bending over their desks. lie
had been looking over little pocket-book,
which he always carried about him, Tor some
note or bill; and, as he turned its pages,
bit Of folded paper dropped out.
The banker opened 1t, and although TWEEN
" wears had deadened the first edge Of his
sorrow, the tears rushed TO his eyes as they
fill on the contents. A pencil sketch, rude
and unfinished, of a meek.browed child-a
lock of soft brown hair, and that perfumed
dust of crimson rose-these were dearer TO
the banker than his vaults of yellow gold.
As he looked at them, tremulous voice
without arrested his ear.
Il would be glad il you would buy, gen.
,lemen, for my need is very great. | have
q sickly daughter at home, who must be
fed.'
'Be off about your business was the
sharp rejoinder Il won't let you in. Don't
you see you are not wanted here.'
The voice seemed to strike responsive
chord in the rich mans heart; surely he
had heard its mild tones before. He par
tially opened the door, and cried out sternly (:
mir. Waters, show the gentleman In, If
you please.
The abashed clerk obeyed, not without
surprise, aud the bowed old man, with his
heavy basket Of strawberries, came humbly
into The private room of the great banker.
.Will YOU take chair!' politely inquired
Mr.. Arnet, moving forward a luxurious
Jauieuii.
The old man took of his hat APOLOGIZE.
cally. :,
Sir, I fear I intruje on your valuable
time. If you wonld buy some Of my fruit
necessity, you know, Is strong, and my pow
erty is extreme. was not always in such
position"
Mr.. Arnet watched the proud turn o
that grey head, with singular smile ther
sitting down to his desk, he wrote of Q
check and handed II across the table.
.One thousand dollarsr faltered the ole
man, as he read, turning red and white IL
q breath. He held II toward the banker.
'Sy, | hoped you were too mech Of q
gentleman to make sport Of age and dis
-. \. ,ho.o .n,th,n, 30 ;,.t ,hn,,t 10