Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-09-11
"And now take this note

He uiu not resume DIS UeWSpd-
per after the lad departed. He had lost all
interest in its contents. For a long time he
sat with his hand shading his face, so that no
one saw its expression. If spoken to on any
matter, he answered briefly, and with none
OF his usual interest in business. The change
In him was so marked that one of his partners
asked him If he was not unwell.
ssI feel little dull, - was evasively answered
Before his usual time Mr.. Frazier left the
store and went home. As he opened the door
of his dwelling, the distressed cries and Sob
bings of child came with an unpleasant shock
upon his ears. He went up stairs with two or
three long strides, and entered the nursery.
from which the cries came.
'What's the matter, darling ~ he said, as
he caught the weeper in his arms, !swhat ails
my little Maggie ?''
go, papa, papa" sobDed the child cling
ing to his neck, and laying her wet cheek
close to his.
'Jane," said Mr.. Frazier, looking at the
nurse, and speaking with some sternness of
manner, "Why is Maggie crying in this man
ner?''
The girl looked excited and pale. "She's
been naughty" was her answer.
"No, papa! | amt been naughty said
the child Indignantly. II didn't want to stay
here all alone, and she pinched and slapped
me so hard o, papa - And the child's
wall rung out again, as she clung to his neck,
sobbng.
s'Has she ever pinched and slapped you be-
fore a'' asked the father.
s.She does most every day" answered the
little girl.
ssWhy havn't you told me f''
s'She said she'd throw me out of the win
dow if told Oh, dear! oh, dear don't let
her do it, papa!' 20
.'It's lie," exclaimed the nurse passion
ately.
"Just look at my poor leg, papa" The
child said this in hushed whisper, with her
lips laid close to her fathers ear.
Mr.. Frazier sat down, and barring the child's
hip, saw that it was covered with blue ard
greenish spots, all above the knee there were
not less than dozen of these disfguring
marks. He examined the other leg and found
il in the same condition. Mr.. Frazier loved
that child with deep tenderness. She was his
all to love. Her mother, between whom and
himself there never had been any sympathy
died about two years before; and since that
time his precious darlng-the apple of his
eye-had been left to the tender mercles of
hired nurses, over whose conduct it was i'm
possible for him to have any right observation.
He had often feared that Maggie was neglect
ed-often troubled himself on her account
but a suspicion of cruelty like this had never
entered his imagination possible. Mr..
Frazier was profoundly disturbed, but even in
his passion he was very calm.
"Jane," he said sternly, 81 wish you to
leave the house Immediately"
"Mr. Frazier
ssSienceH 20 He showed himself stern and
angry, even in his suppressed utterance of the
word, that Jane started, and then left the
room Immediately.
Mr.. Frazier rung the bell, and to the waiter
who answered it, said 'sSee that Jane leaves
the house at once. l have discharged her.
Here is the money that is due. l must not
see her again.
Al lnct n
hugged the child to his heart again, and kissed
her with an eagerness of manner that was un-
usual with him. He was fond, but quiet in
his caresses. Now the sleeping impulses of a
strong heart were all awake and active.
In small back chamber, sat pale, sweet
faced patient looking woman, reading a letter
which had just been left her by the postman.
ssThank God,'' she said, she finished
reading it, and her soft, brown eyes were lifted
upward. ssIt looked very dark - she murmur-
ed, ''but the morning has broken again. At
length, quick step heard the stairs,
and the door was pushed hastily open.
ssCharles, dear ~
The boy entered with au excited counte-
nance. 'sI'm going to have place, mother"
he cried to her, the moment his feet were in
side of the door. The pale woman smiled and
held out her hand to her boy. He came quick
ly to her side.
ssThere is no necessity for your getting
place now, Charles We shall go back to
England s..
"Oh, motherl' The bcy's face was all a.
glow with sunbeamS.
ssHere's letter from a gentleman in New
York, who says he is directed to pay our pas
sage to England, if we return. God is good
my son. Let US be thankful
Charles now drew from his pocket the note
which Mr.. Frazier had given him, and handed
it to his mother.
ssWhat is this ?'' she asked.
ssThe gentleman who promised to get me
place, told me to give it to you.''
The woman broke the seal. There were |
three bank bills, of ten dollars each enclosed, |
and this brief sentence written on the sheet of |
paper: "God sent your son to true friend. |
Let him come tomorrow"
sWho gave you this 2" she aske her face /
growing warm with sudden excitement.
ssA gentleman. But don't know who he |
was l went into great many stores to askif |
they didn't want boy, and at last 1 came to |
the one where the gentleman was who sent |
you this letter. He spoke roughly at first /; |
aud then called me back and asked me who
was, and about my mother. told him your
name, and how father died. and you were sick. |
Then he sat good while and said nothing |
and then wrote the note, and told me he would
get me place. He was a kind looking man |
if he did speak roughly at frst'
ssDid you see what name was upon the sign 2''
81 never thought to look" replied the boy.
81 was SO glad when came away But can
go straight to the place.
81 will write the gentleman note, thanking
him for his kindness, and you must take it to
him in the morning. How light it makes my
heart feel to know that we are going back to
dear England! God is good to US, my son,
and we must be obedient and thankful"
Just little before the evening twilight fell,
word came up to the woman that gentleman
bad called and wished to see her.