Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1860-10-05
MISC ELLA n Y.
AS YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY.
nv T. ARTHUR.

interesting news. when lad came to the
door and said
&" Do you wan, a boy, sir?"
Without lifting his eyes from the paper,
Mr. Frazer answered mo to tho appli.
cant, and in rather rough way.
Before the lad reached the street, con.
science had compelled the merchant TO listen
t. a rcbnking sentence.
You might have spoken kindly TO the
poor boy. a, least. said conscience. This
/. an opportunity"
Mr.. Frazier let the paper fall from before
his eyes, and turncl TO look at the lad. lle
was small-not twelve years old, TO appear
aucc-poorly a,,lrcd. but clean. The rucr.
chant tapped again', one u the Windows in
the counting room, and tho boy glanced
hack Owe: his shoulder \ .igA from the
merchant caused him to return.
Z" What did you 'ay. jus, now7"
DO You wan'ta boy. sir3" The lad
repeated the words be had spoken, he,ita,-
iu.ly few moments before.
Mr. Frazier looked At him with a sudden.
" aws keneJ interest. lie had fair. girl.
in face. dark brown eyes and hair. and
though slender and delicate in appearance.
stood erect. and with a manline.' Of a.pec,
,ha, showed him TO b. already conscious Of
duty in the world. But there did no, seem
to be much Of tha, s,uir in him that is need.
FL for the battle Of lie.
Tax, a chair. " aid Mr.. Frazier. an in.
voluntary rcsro, Tor the lad getting poses
zion of hi. mind.
Tho boy at down. with hi, large, clear
eye, Fixed on the merchant, face.
How old are your"
~ was twelve, sir, las, month, 4" replied
the boy.
"wha, splendid eye. e" said tho mcr-
chant t, himself. And have seen them
bsforc. Soft, dark aud lusirous as a wo-
mans"
Away hack in the past the thought. Of
Mr Frazier went. borne On tho hight from
,ba.e beautiful eyes and tor some moments
hr f1-s5s the Prc.cn, in the past. But
when be came back into the present. again,
be- had a softer heart toward. the stranger
lad.
You should so to school for a year or
two longer" be 'ald.
Il must. help my mother" replied the
lai.
"I' your mother very poor2"
"Yc.. .ir and shc's sick"
The lad. voice shook little, and his 'ofs
woman'- eve. grew brighter IN the tears
that hll,d them.
Mr.. Frazier had already forgotten the
point of in,srcs, in the ncw' after which he
was .sArchins, when the boy interrupted
him.
~ don't want lal mysclf." said Mr.
Frazer, a" bu, may be | might speak good
word Tor you, aud that would help, you
know. think You would make an honest,
usslu, lad. but You are not strong"
"Oh. ycs. sir, I'm strong Aud the
boy stood up IN brave spirit.
The merchant looked at him with stead
ily Increasing interest.
Whit q. YOUR name 80 be asked.
"Cr,rl,, Le,uarI. sir"
There MAS an in.,an, change in the mcr,
chant, manner. and he turned hi. face -
far aNnv that the bow could no, see il. cx
pre. sion. For some time he at .till and
,ile,t-., long that the boy wondered.
.,.r,,. .,b., Ii,;r.g" n, Fr,,.e,
=, ,,.,,~,,,. n,, h,, AIN Won, nj.
h,cnway. III, ,oico was low and no. very
ey IN.
"No. sir. llc died four years ago"
"whcrc ?" The voice was quicker and
frmer.
"In London"
Z" How long since you came TO America? =
q" Two years
Have you been in this city ever 'incc?'
"No, sir. We came here with my uncle
a year ago. but he died month after our
a rival"
"Wbnt was your uncle's namc?"
"M MIR. Iloyle. sir"
There came another long silence. il
which the lad could not ,se the merchant
|, ,countenanec. But when he did look a
han there was such a new and kind exrres
zion in bis eye'w which seemed almost to dc
'onr hi' face that he isl' an assurance il
his heart thac Mr.. Frazer was good man
UF go 4. l-s. a 4