Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-02-20

tue hliud OF AlT- f1lckIn IN. alu 81. eNenlt
after evening, he came home. bringing WI
E him shadow instead of sunlight .. VIII;
a dissertation of home was this Hnm
where the hearts sunlight should ev,
dwell. and heart warmth prevade all Il
sweet atmosphere. Nothing of extern;
good was denied by Mr. Hickman to h
family. They had ali # happine
that money could buy Yet how far fror
happiness we're his wife and children
They were dropping for sunshine-the SUI
shine of smiles, of pleasant words; OF Joy
Gus laughter. But these came not frol
Mr.. Hickman He sat among them gril
and gloomy. for the most part. like som
sOmbre heather divinity = halEdreadcC
half-pro itiated
Mr.. Hickman was not 50 stolid but tha
he saw in this the existence of wong =
He lovld his wife aud 'chil.ircu. desire
thier good. aud WAS ready to make an
sacrifce for them that he knew how t
make Even as he sat m 'ndiiy In his h ,ae
conscious that his presence rested Ike
uish mare N the sFirits If his wife al.
chiliaen he Souli Say t himself:
Ills Is not right. should bring hom
pleasant words and cheerful smiles"
I Yet almost rs he said tlis. would Ii.
thought % back to some incident Of thC
day. t. whish acre selfishuess gave power
to disturb his feelings and he would 90 of
again into brooding state of mind, out OF
which he had not resolution enough to lift
himself Often it happened that his chill.
dren sought in the outgushing gladncss
of their hearts. to break the spell that was
upon him, but always he repulsed them
sometimes tretfully. and sometimes in an
ger, so that. at last. they rarely came near
or spoke to him, as he sat through his
silent evenings.
Wrong, all wrong" Mr. Hickman often
said to himself, as the shadow fell darker
on his hume But knowledge of the evil
did not bring knowledge of the cure, or,
rather, that selfconquest whiel must pre-
cede a cure. He must come out of the
dense forests and gloomy valleys and dusLy
caverns. into the clear sunshine; but how
was he to come out? Who was to lead
him forth ?
One day, as Mr.. Hickman sat in his
connting-room convers.ng with gentle.
man, lad came in from the store TO ask
some questions about business. Mr.. Hick-
man replied in curt way, and the lad
went out
What is that boy name?" asked the
gentleman.
Frank Edwards" was replied.
81 thought 50. He's fine boy How
long has he been with yuu?''
About three m"lths"
''D,-es lie give you slts- fast IN?
les" .---...
- aur pleased to hear u III, m,tieI
ives Ia our uci ia OlrhO,d and nv Mi.e has
token considerable interest IA her. She IS
very poor. and in feeble health She main-
taius herself by sewing; but that kind of
exhausting toll is wasting her lie rapidly.
Frank is her only child. and the only one
to whom She can look to for any hclI,
am glad you ike him."
Nothing mure WAS said on the subject.
but it did not pass from the mind Of Mr.
Hickman He had taken the lad few
months before Oh trial, and it was under
stood that if he gave satisfaction. he was
to be put on wages after six mouths
The boy is faithful. Intelligent. and ac-
tive said Mr. HE man to himself. If
it is so with his mother lie must be put
nn @agcs now.
lhis conclusion in tie mind Of Mr. Hick-
man was attended with i sense OF pleas
urc. His heart had opencd Just little,
and two or three sunteams, wish their
lig It and warmth. had gone down into it -
w hat shall pay bin for his services?
sand sir. Hickman To himscl sJill dwelling
N the subject
There are plenty Of LADS 10 he obtained
1t couEI,ol a Dol as a week, for the first
'ue W two years. cr even f3r nothing in
'onslaerauon OF tha oiPortuUity for iearu-
ng gocd business III gosd IoUsc. But
rank 5 case Is peculiar. and must be con-
lideIed by itself. There is question of
humanity involved. His mother is poor
nd sick, and she has no hope but in i'm
Let me sec; shall make it three dollars
y0ek? That will help them considerably.
But, dear me. three dollars a Hetk will {
ardly pay for Franks eating. / must do 5
omething more than that Say four dol S
lrs."
Mr. Hickman dropped his head little,
nd sat turning the matter over in his
lind- He had once been poor boy. with !
mother in feeble health; and he remem.
cred how hard it was for him to get
long, how many privations and hardships /
is mother had to endure, and yet their !
lcome was nearly double the amount he I
ad thought Of giving Fra k. Mr.. Hic.- =
AN had always loved his mother. and
lis memory of her softc ed his feelings !,
i'll more toward the POOR widow, for :
hom an appeal had come to him So un- !
lpectedly. II
Frank is an unusually bright boy." d d
nd Mr.. Hickman. He has an aptness for :. y
uslness; is prompt and faithful | can \
ford to make his salary liberal I'll pay II
i'm six dollars now, and if he goes on L
approving as fast as he has done 50 far;
will not be long before l can make it
tier for him. p
Mr.. Hic. man arose, and going to the n:
unting-rOOm door. called the lad who al
me in Immediately. "
How DO You ike our business. Frauk..'' al
ked Ma HE man IN kind way. ii
Very well, sir. replied the boy as
omptly. G.
Aud you would like to rcnain?' ed
- les, sir, If | give satisfaction" th
=" ! ou have done very well, SO far" re- fC
led Mr.. Hickman; SO well that have
included to put you on wages now, in
cad of waiting until the six months of III
ial have expired A.
The boy started, and a quick flush of
easure and surprise went over his face. T,
Il did not expect it, sir, he said, CRATE
!