The Carrollton sun. (City of Carrollton, Parish of Jefferson, La.) 185?-1???, 1860-12-26

Yet almost as he sad this, would MS
thoughts go back to some incident of
the day, which mere selfishness gave
power to disturb his feelings, and he
would go off again into brooding state
of mind, ,out of which he had not resolu-
ton enough to lift himself, Often it
happened that his children sought, in
the outgushing gladness of their hearts.
to break the spell that was on him
always he repulsed them---sometime
coldly, sometimes fretfully, and some
times in sudden anger-so that, at last,
they rarely came near or spoke to him,
as he sat through his silent evenings.
Wrong, all wrong" Mr.. Hickman
often said to himself, as the shadow
fell darker on his home. But know
ledge of the evil did not bring know
ledge of the cure, or rather, that self
conquest which must precede u cure.
He must let the sunshine come into his
own heart, ere he could pour forth its
rays on other hearts. He must come
Eout of the dense forest and gloomy val
leys and dusky caverns into tho clear
sunshine but how was he to come out 2
Who was to lead him forth
One day as Mr.. Hickman sat in his
kcounting room conversing with gen
tleman, a lad came in from the store to
ask some questions about business.
Mr.. Hickman repliedin curt way, and
the lad went out.
"What is that boys name!" asked
tho gentleman.
rank Edwards" was replied.
thought so. He's fine boy.
How long has he been with you7"
About threen3onths.
Does he give satisfaction -
II am pleased to hear it. His moth
|or Ewes in our neighborhood, and my
wife has taken considerable interest in
sher.--She is very poor, and in feeble
health. She maintains herself by sew
ing but that kind of exhausting toll is
wasting her life rapidly. Frank is her
only child, and the only one to-whom
sshe can look for any help. ] am glad
ssous ike him.
Nothing moro was said ON the sub
aiect but it did not pass from thef mind
Sf Mr.. Hickman. He had taken the
lad few months before on trial, and ii
was understood that if he gave salts
faction, he was to be put on wages af-
ter six months.
"The boy is faithful, Intelligent and
active.'' said Mr.. Hickman, speaking
to himself 'If it is so with his mother,
he must be put on wages now"
The conclusion in the mind of Mr..
Hickman was attended with sense of
pleasure. His heart had opened just
little, and two or three sunbeams,
with their light and warmth, had gone
down into it.
"What shall ] pay him for his ser
vices?" said Mr.. Hickman to himself,
still dwelling on the subject.
There arc plenty of lads to be OBJ
tanned at couple of dollars a week, for
the first one or two years; or even for
nothing, in consideration of the opPor-
tunity for learning q good business,
in good house. But Franks case is
peculiar, and must be considered. by
itself. There is question Of humani-
ty involved. Ills mother is poor and
sick, and she has no hope but i'll him.
Let me see : shall make it three dol
lars week That will help them
considerably. But, dear me ! three
dollars will hardly pay for Franks eat
ing. must do something better than
that. Say four dollars
Mr.. Hickman dropped his head II lit
tie, and sat turning the matter over in
his mind. He had once been poor