Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-10-25

| the poor widow, for wb ON an appeal had com
to him so Unexpectedly.
Frank is an unusually bright boy" saiC
| Mr.. Hickman. HE has an aptness for business
is prompt and faithful. 1 can afford to maxi
his salary liberal. III pay him six dollars now
and if he goes on improving as fast as he hal
1 done so far, it will not be long before car
make it better for him.
Mr. Hickman arose, and going to the count
fng-room door, called the lad. who came IL i'm,
medately.
| "How do you like our business, Frank" ask
cd Mr.. Hickman in a kind way.
Every well, SIR" replied the boy promptly.
And you would like to remain?"
"Yes, sir, if give satisfaction"
"You have done very well, so far" replied
Mr. Hickman" so well that have eOBclu-
ded TO put you on wages now, instead oi
waiting until the six months of trial have ex
pired."
The boy started and q quick flush of pleasure
and surprise went over his face.
Il did not expect it, sir" he said, gratefully
You are SO very good"
~ our mother is not well, hear" said Mr.
Hickman.
Franks eyes glistened as he answered, "No
sir; she's been sick for good while; and I'm
so glad to be put on wages for now l can help
her"
"Will you give all your wages to your moth
er?"
ooh yes, indeed, sir, every cent, if it was ten
dollars a week"
Il see you are a good boy, Frank" said Mr.,
HICKMAN, bis heart still aoftening; "your wa
ges shall be six dollars"
The boy struck his hands together with sud
den joy exclaiming:
"Oh, mother will be so glad--so glad!''
As he went back into the store, Mr.. Hick-
man sat quietly in his chair, feeling happier
than hs had for long tiHe,
When the sun went down and Frank came
in to shut the windows of the counting room,
Mr.. Hickman handed him a sealed envelope
saying:
"Take this to your mother. 1t contains
thirty-six do ars, as your wages, at three dol
lars week, for twelve weeks, the time you
have been in my store. Tell llyoqr mother that
you have been good, industrious boy, and
have earned the money"
Frank took tie little package in silence; his
feelings were so much overcome by this aili-
tional good fortune, that he could not speak
his thanks. But his eyes told what was in his
heart, and Mr.. Hickman understood them.
There are many ways to catch sunbeams. if
we would only set trip ps for them. Nay, there
is no occasion TO go 10 that trouble. The air
is full of suubeams, and we have only to open
the doors and windows Of our hearts, and they
will enter in countless ngltitudes. But the
DOORS and windows Of most peoples hearts are
shut and barred as was the heart of Mr. IIjck-
man. How are they to be opened? just as
the doors and windows of his heart were open
ed-by kindness to Qthe1s.
When Mr. Hickman took his way hom, ward
his step was lighter and his feelings M re buoy
ant than they had been for long time. Though
conscious OF this, aud Of the sense of pleasure
that was new to tim. his thought dil not go
directly to the cause. Not that he had for
gotten Frank and his sick mother, or the glad
face that looked into his wien he told the boy
OF his generous decision in his favor; all this
Was present to HIM. though he had not yet con-
nected the kind act and the pleasant feelings in
his consciousness as cause and effect.
! There was no sound Of pattcring feet on the
slaiFs as Mr.. Hickman came in. Time was
when his first step IN the passage awoke the
( echoes with laughing voices and the rain of ca
! ger footballs But that time had passed long
/ ago. lie came home SO often in a cold, repel-
liant mood, that his children had ceased to be
glad at his return, and no longer bounded to
meet him. Sitting on the staips we've q Ettle
boy and girl, of the ages of fiYe and six yenrs.
As he advanced along the passage. they neith-
!
fixed on his face. Mr.. Hickman stood still
when he came to where they were sitting, and
looked at them with a new feeling Of tender
ness in bis heart. lie held out his hand tO
each, and each laid hand in his, hut with an
air of doubt as to whether this condescensiOu
on the part of their father was to be accepted
as a token of love. A moment be stood hold
ing their hands, then STOPPING, he drew an arm
around each and lifted them to his breast.
"Hasn't Eddie kiss for papa?" said Mr.
Hickman, with so much warmth in his voicC
that the little girl now understood that all was
earnest.
'Yes, hundred kisses!" answered Eddie
aipging her arms AROUND her la,her'g nock, ant
kissing hia over and over again in chilqisl
fopdness.
At the head of tie first landing opened tht
sitting room. Into this Mr.. Hickman camt
with his two children in his arms, both of then
hugging and kissing him in q wild, hapP,
way. ,-.=..
Bless me, what's the meaning Of all this2
exclaimed Mrs. Hickman, rising AMI coming
fOrwardi her face glow with sudden pIeasur,
at sight and sound so new, yet all welcome il
her heart.
The little rogues are hugging and kissing
the very breath away from me-" said Mr.
Hickman, laughing and struggling with tn,
children.
Mr. Hickman sat dowa with child on eacl
:. knee, and Mrs. Hickman came and stood b.
him. with hand resting on his shoulder
"Oh, you must kiss him too said Eddie
looking at hen zasther.
, Mrs. Hickman did not wait for second in
} vitation.
5 The old pleasant face of her husband wa
again before her, and her heart was leipin;
with the old loving impulses, She bent dow
: and laid warm kiss on his lips, which he el
r as sweet glow through all his being
+, That was an evening long to be remembere
in the household of Mr.. Hickman lie ha
caught sunbeam and brought it home wit
2 him, and light and YaEmth were all aroun
them. AIT were happy; and Mr.. Hickman tn
t happiest of them all; for he had the consciou:
r ness in his heart Of having made another an
q humber home than this happy also.
: The Cotton State conspirators have sudder
Iv- disoOvared that coftnn with which fbp