The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-10-26

she has no hopo but IN INN. Lct me reo:
shall make Il three dollars week? That
will help them considerably. But, dear me!
three dollars week will hardly ray for
Franks eating. must do something better
than that. Sly four dollars
Mr.. Hickman dropped his head little,
and ait turning over the matter in his mind.
lle had once been in feeble health; and he
remembered how hard Il was for him TO get
along-how many privations and hardships
his mother had 10 endure and yet their in
come was nearly double the amount he
thought Of giving Frank. Mr.. Hickman
had always loved lis mother, and this men,
ory of her softened his feelings still more 10.
ward the poor widow, for whom an appeal
had come to him 20 unexpectedly.
Frank is an unusually bright boy, said
ness Is prompt and faithful. and can af.
ford TO make his salary libcnl-lor boy IL
shall bc liberal. III pay him six dollars
now, and if he goes on improving as last a.
hc has done 80 far, II will not be long before
can do better for him.
Mr.. Hickman arose and going TO the door.
called tho lad, who camc In Immediately.
.lIow do you like our business, FrankF
asked Mr.. Hickman, in kind way.
Very well, Sir replied tho boy prompt
ly.
And would you like TO remain =
Yes, Sir; IL give satisfaction
you have done well 30 far. replied Mr..
Hickman; so we'll that have concluded to
put you on wages now, instead OF waiting
until tho six months OF trial have expired.
The boy started, and quick flush Of sur.
prise and pleasure went over his face.
u did not expect II, Sir, he said gateiui-
ly. you are very good
Your mother Is not well, hear, said MIR.
Hickman.
Frnk's eyes glistcneda as no answered. mo,
Sir, she's bcen sick for good while,and I'm
20 glad to DO put on wages, for now ! can
help her.
win you give all your wagcs to your
mothcr?
.Oh, yes indeed, Sir; every cent, II It was
ton dollars week.
Il SEQ YOU arc good boy, Frank, said Mr..
Hickman, his heart still soitening, 'and your
wages shall be six dollars"
Tho boy struck his hands together with
sudden JOY eIclaiming,
'Oh, mother will DO 30 glad"
As no went back TO the store, Mr.. Hlck-
man sat quietly In his chair, feeling happier
than hc had been for long time. When
tho sun went down, and Frank came in TO
shut tho windows Of the counting room, Mr..
Hickman handed him scaled envelope, say.
ing,
1akc this to your mother. II contains
thirty-six dollars, as wages, ut three dollars
n week for twelve weeks. the time you have
been in my store. Tell your mother you
have been good industrious boy, and have
earned the money
Frank took the little package in silence:
his feelings wcro 10 much overcome by this
additional good fortune, that hc could not
speak his thanks. But his eyes told what
was in his heart, and Mr.. Hickman UNDER
stood them.
There are many ways 10 catch sunbeams,
il We would only set traps for them. Nay,
there is no occasion TO 60 10 that trouble
Tho air is full of suDboams, and we hays
only to open tho doors and windows Of our
hearts, and they will enter in countless null
titudes. But the doors and windows Of
most peoples hearts arc shut and barred as
was the heart Of Mr.. Hickman. How arc
they to DO opcncd2 Just rs the doors and
windows Of his heart were opcncd-by kind.
ness 10 Others.
When Mr.. Hickman took his way homo.
ward. hls step was lighter and his feelings
more buoyant than they had been for long
time. Though conscious Of this, and Of tho
sense Of pleasure that was new TO him, his
thought did not 90 directly to the canse.--
Not that no had forgotten Frank and his sick
mother, or the glad face that looked into his
when he told the boy Of his generous decision
in his favor; all this was prcrcnt 10 him,
though he had not yet connected tho kind act
and the pleasant feelings In his consciousness
rs cause and effect.
There were no sounds OF pattering feet on
tho stairs as Mr.. Hickman came In. limo
was when his frt step In the passage awoke
tho echoes with laughing voices and the rain
Of eager footballs. But that time had passed
long ago. The father camc homo % often In
cold, repcllant mood, that his children bad
ceased to DO glad at his return, and no longer
bounded to meet him. Sitting ON tho stairs
worc littlc boy and girl, of tho ages Of fvo
and six years. As he advanced along the
passage they neither stirred, nor spoke, nor
smiled, though their eyes were 6Ici on his
face. Mr.. Hickman stood still when he
came near to where they wero sitting, and
looked at them with q now feeling Of tender
ness in his heart. Ile held out hand to
each. and each laid hand In his, but with
an air Of doubt rs TO whether this condscen.
sion on tho part Of their father was TO DO nc.
ccpted as token of love. A moment ho
stood holding their hands, then STOPPING, ho
drew an arm around each and lifted them 10
his breast.
Hasn't Edic kiss for papa p said Mr.
Hickman, with so much warmth In his yoieo
that the littlo girl now understood that all
was In earnest.
Yes, hundred kisscs,' answered Edie,
finging her arms around her fathers neck,
and kissing him over aniovcr again, In child.
ish fondness.
At tho head Of the frst landing opened the
sitting.room. Into this Mr.. Hickman camo
with the two children In his arms both VI
them hugging and kissing him In wild.
happy way.
exclaimed Mrs. Hickman, rising and coming
forward, her face a-glow with sudden pleas-
urc at a sight 50 new, yet all welcome to her
heart.
These little rogucs are hugging and kis,-
ing the very breath away from me. said Mr..
Hickman. laughing and struggling with the
children.
lie asked mo for one kiss cried Edic, and
I'm going n give him hundred
Mr., Hickman at down with child on
each knee, and Mrs. Hickman came and
stood by him with q hand resting on his
shoulder.
'Oh, you must kiss him too said Edie,
looking up at her mother.
Mrs. Hickman did not wait for second
The old pleasant face Of her husband was
again rs before, and her heart wus leaping
with the oldloving impulso. Shcbcnt down
and laid a warm kiss on his lips. which no
felt as q sweet glow through alfhis beip,