The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-02-21
ECHOES,

anu HedIluRJ ne ueATQ NOV, lOT HIS NaS
with his ledger and tangled business affairs.
| Mr.. Harlow did business i'll Boston, and re
sided in one of the adjoining suburban towns
He had recently purchased pretty little place
and his family rejoiced in the exchange from 6
narrow city street, to the lovely garden sur
rounding their new home.
| At the foot of the garden was little woody
dell, which had purposely been left in its natur
al state. A brook leaped musicallly down It'll
rocky bed, and then, taking sudden turn
wound placidly through green meadow. Here
the five children of MIR Harlow were playing,
and their shouts ofglee rung out upon the even
ing air.
Papa, papa" cried sturdy little Harry, ap
pearing at the top of the bank, "come and heal
our echo Ellen says it is the sweetest echt
she ever heard we have called to it again and
again, and it answers back just what we say
Mr. Harlow followed his son mechanically,
but when he stood in the midst of the laughing
troop of children, he came out of the troubled
reverie.
ooh father we have found an echo ' they
cried, together. "Hark-it shall call father >
said Susan. "Father!" and the echo answered
Father ~
Isn't it pleasant ?" said Ellen, the eldest q
thoughtful girl of twelve years. off we stand
in this spot. the echo speaks just once, clearly
and distinctly; but little to the right Or left,
it is repeatsd two or three times"
81 always like to hear an echo said the faith
err, with smile.
"Hallo old echo" shouted Harry, jumping
up and down, and the response made him shout
and laugh again:
"Wherc do you live ?' called Nelson.
"Sweet echo sweet echo ~ cried Susan, and
the woodland sprte grew quite wild in answer
ing to their merry calls.
''WLat IS it, papa?' asked Eddie, the three
year old pet, as he chung tmidy to his father S
side "who is it that speaks 2"
ut is the nymph of the stream, or the god
dess of these woods said Nelson with a pa
troniZing air. He had been reading mythology.
Don't you be afraid, Eddie" said Ellen,
kindly taking her little brother hand sit is
only the sound of our own words comirg back
to u.s."
1.-THE dew is falling let us go into the house,
said the father, and he turned from the place,
followed by his children. Ellen walked by his
side. Father the echo reminds me of some
thing l read the other day. 1t was piece about
moral echoes-it said that if We spoke kind
ly, almost always we should hear the echoain a
kind reply; and everything we do or say ava
kens echoesin our own hearts, and the hearts of
those about US"
Very true. dear Ellen you are quite amor
alst"
In the society of his family, the shadows were
charmed from Mr.. Harlow's brow but when he
lay upon his pillow, busy, troubled thoughts
banished sleep. He had been speculating
some what, aside from his regular business, and
was consequently harrassed with too much care.
As tie day dawned, he sark into ftful Slun-
Der which gave no refreshment to his wearied
miHd and body.
A cheerful group gathered around the break
fast-iable- five smiling, happy children, and
their gentle mother. But the fathers brow was
shaded and he had no reply for the pleasant
praLtle of-hs children. SO they subsidized into 81
lence, chilled by his stern aspect. 1t might and
should have been an hour bright and beautiful
with domestic sunshine; and when Mr., Harlow
babe his family good bye'for the day, ami felt
thai his wife's eye followed him with sad en-
quiIing glance, his conscience smote him, for
he had clouded the sweet atmosphere of home.
On his way to the depot, an importunate
neigbbor seized him by the arm, and held him
an impatient captive, while he detailed long
account of affairs. which he cared nothing about.
He reached the depot just as the tt ain was pass
ing out of sight Fretfu and vexed at this un-
necessary delay he strobe the platform frown-
ingly, until the next train appeared. Had the
ride been longer, he might have settled down
before discrimination into a more quiet stale of
mind; but as it was, he grew more impatient
with each passing moment, and when he Rrriv-
ed at his place OF business, almost an hour be
hind the usual time, he was in a high state Of
excitement.
A little trial awaited Mr.. Harlow, which did
not improve his temper Andrew Chase, lad
offifteen, approached him with timid, down
cast air.
'See there, Mr. Harlow he said, pointing
with a trembling hand to a large mirror, which
was one of row lining one side of the store-a
long crack disfgured its polished surface.
Who did that ?" exclaimed Mr.. Harlow.
81 did it sir; was busting i'll meant to
be very careful, but the brush slipped il My
hand. and the handle struck the glass"
You are profitable assistant must say
fifty dollars at one crash!'
II am very sorry sir, said Andrew, with a
quivering lip.
"Well, being sorry won't mend it," replied
Mr.. Harlow, frefuliy, as he passed on TO his
counting ROOM
Andrew was deeply grieved at the accidsnt
and Mr. Harlow manner wounded him soTeiy.
The merchant looked back through the glass
door of his counting room, and saw the boys
troubled, fearful face. "Pocr fellow" he
thought, che feels worse about it than do;
might have spoken more kindly, Tor Andrew is
good boy"
Everything seemed to 90 hard that day. Mr.
Harlow worried himself and all about HIM. -
The oil Of good humor would have had a won
derful effect upon the machinery Of business
but he did not think Of that. Yet Mr. Harlow
was not, by anysmeans, 4 cross and surly man
usually, he was most bland and cheerful, but
too much care unstrung his nerves. and weak
ened his self control.
Late in the afternoon, he received n message
froni business firm in New York, and he wa:
more hurried and troubled than before.
Here, Andrew Chase" he called, in a per
emptory tone, this packet must go to New
York the mail has closed, but it can go by ex
press Hurry, you have just five minutes tt
take it to the depot. 1t is Of great Importance
don't fail to get it expressed .
! ''Ies, sir" said Andrew IN run every
step of the way u and eager to do his master
any favor. that he might, in some measure
atone for his carlessness in the morning, he
darteddown the street.
Half ar hour elapsed, and Andrew returned
with slow and reluctant steps, the packet Still
| in his hand.
what how is this Proclaimed Mr.. Harlow
in angry disappointment. ''Were you toe
late ~
eyes, sir, II
''But you had full five minutes time, and you
could have walked, and got there soon enough
! 1t is too bad Here it is, Saturday night. Too
bad--too bsd!'
II am very sorry,sir; l started on a full run
but stopped, for there was child in the street
and horse"
Never mind, don't tell me all the why's ant
wherefores You know it was of the creates
importance that you should stop for nothing q
all. You had no business to stop, or to turn
right or left. If can't trust you in such mat
ters, can trust you in nothing. Go to tn
head clerk and get your wages, and hencefortl
win dispense with your services"
"Air. Harlow, do hear what l have to say
I saw the child was in great danger--in mo
ment more"
sob pshaw!" interrupted Mr.. Harlow, witt
an impatient wave of the hand, ''children ar
in the streets all the time it Is u poor excus
for delay in such mater. Go, Andrew Chase
your carelessness has done me damage enough
for one cay"
The boy stood for moment, hesitating
ushed and angry; once his lips parted, a
If he would again attempt his defence; ther
with a proud, halftriumphant light in his eye
he turned away,