Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-04-19
| AS YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY

lad came to the door, and said:
DO you want a boy, sir'
Without lifting his eyes from the pa
per, Mr.. Frazier answered No to the
applicant, in rather rough way.
Before the lad reached the street, con-
science had compelled the merchant to
listen 10 rebuking sentence.
You might have spoken kindly to the
poor boy at least said conscience
This is an opportunity
Mr. Frazier let the paper fall from
before his eyes, and turned to look at
the lad. He was small-but clean. The
merchant tapped at one Of the windows
in the counting room, and the boy glanc-
ed back over his shoulder. 4 sign from
the merchant caused him TO return.
What did you say, just now?
Do you want boy? ? The lad re-
peated the words he had spoken, hest
tatingly few moments before.
Mr.. Frazier looked at him with a sud
den awakened interest. He had a fair
girlish face dark brown eyes and hair !;
and, though slender and delicate in ap-
pearance, stood erect, and manliness Of
aspect that showed him to be already
conscious of duty in the world. But
there did not appear to be much of the
stuff in him that is needed for the battle
of life.
Take a chair said Mr.. Frazier, an
involuntary respect for the lad getting
possession of his mind.
The boy sat down with his large, clear
eyes fixed on the merchants face.
How old are you2
1 was twelve, sir, last month"; replied
the boy.
What splendid eyes ? said the mer-
chant to himself And I've seen them
before. Soft, dark, and lustrous as
woman'sw
Away back in the past the thoughts of
Mr.. Frazier went, borne on the light
form of those beautiful eyes; and for some
moments he forgot the present in the
past. But, when he came back into the
present again, he bad a softer heart to-
wards the strange lad.
You ought to go to school for a year
o. two longer be said.
4 must help my mother replied the
lad.
Is your mother very poor?'
Yes, sir, and she's sick"
The lads voice shook a little, and bis
soft woman's eyes grew bright in the
tears that filed them.
Mr.. Frazier had already forgotten the
point Of interest in the news after which
his mind was searching, when the boy
interrupted him.
Il don't want lad myself said Mr..
Frazer, but may be l might speak
good word for you, and that would help, |
you know, l think you would make an !
honest, useful lad. But you are not
strong
oh, yes, sir, I'm stroDgp And the
boy stood up in brave spirit.
The merchant looked at him with a
steady, increasing interest.
What is your name p he asked.
Charles Leonard, sir
There was an instant change in the
merchants manner, aud he turned his
face so far away that the boys eyes
could not see its expression, For long
time he sat still and silent--sO long that
the boy wondered.
Is your father living? Mr.. Frazier
did not look at the boy, but still kept his
face away. His voice was low, and not
very even.
No, sir He died four years ago.
'Where?' ? The voice was quicker
and iirmer.
In London, SIR
How long since you came to Amer
lea ?
Two years.
Have you been in this city ever sinceT
No, sir. We came here with my
uncle year ago. But he died a month
after our arrival
What was your uncles name2'
Mr.. Hoyle, SIR
There came another long silence, in
which the lad was not able to see the
merchants countenance. But when he
did look at him again, there was such a
new and kind expression in his eyes
which seemed almost to devour his face
and he felt assurance in his heart that
Mr.. Frazier was a good man, and would
be a friend to his mother.
Sit there for a little while,' said Mr..
Frazier, and turning TO his desk, he wrote
a brief note, in which, without permit