Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-09-11
As YOU HAVE oppoRruN1rY.

Mr.. Frazier sat reading in his counting-roo
lie was in the midst OF piece of interesting
news, when lad came to the door and said,
"Do you want boy, sir7"
Without lifting bis eyes from the paper, Nj
Frazier answered mo-" to the applicant and
in rather rough way. Before the lad reach
cd the street, conscience had compelled the
merchant to listen to q 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 1t the lad. He
was small-not twelve years old, to appear
ance-poorly attired but clean. The mer-
chant tapped against one of the windows in
tho counting room, and the boy glanced back
over his shoulder. A sign from the merchant
caused him to return.
"What did you say, just now 7''
"Do you want boy, sir?'' The lad re-
pested the words he had spoken, hesitatingly,
d few moments before.
Mr.. Frazier looked at him with a suddenly
awakened interest. He had fair, girish
face and thOngh slender and delicate in ap-
pearance, stood erect, and with a manliness
OF aspect that showed him to be already con-
scious of duty in this world. But there did
not seem to be much of that stuff in him that
is needed for the battle Of life.
"Take shsir," said Mr.. Frazier, involun-
tary respect for the lad getting possession of
his mind. The boy sat down with his large,
clear eyes fxsd on the merchants face.
Chow old arc your
81 was twelve, sir, last month";" replied the
boy.
"whAt splendid eyes," said the merchant
TO himself. s.And have seen them before
Soft, dsek and lussrous as a Woman's."
Away hack In the past went the thoughts
Of Ar. FRAZIER, borne ON the light of those
beautiful eyes and for some moments he for.
got tho present IN the past. But when he
~camo back into the present again, he had q
softened heart towards tho strange lad.
"You should go to school for q year or two
longer" he said.
81 must help my mother,' replied the boy.
"ls your mother very poor ?''
YVES, sir and she is sick.''
Tho lads voice shook little, and his soft,
womsh's eyes grew brighter IN the tears that
filled them. Mr.. Frazier had already forgot
ten the point of interest in the news after
which his mind was searching, when the boy
interrupted him.
81 don't want lad myself" said Mr.. Fra.
zier, '.but it may be that could speak good
word for you, you know. think You would
make an honest, useful lad. But you are not
strong"
"Oh, yes, sir, / am strong ;" And the boy
stood up in brave spirit.
The merchant looked at him with steadily
increasing interest.
"What is your name 7'' he asked.
"Charies Leonard. sir"
There was an instant change in the mer.
chants manner, and he turned his face SO far
away that the boys eyes could not see the ex-
PRESTON. For long time he sat still and ST.
lent-so long that the boy wondered.
.'Is your father living 20 Mr.. Frazier did
not look at the boy, but still kept his face a.
'No, sir. He died four years ago.''
"Where 7'' The voice was quicker and
frmer.
ain London, sir.'
Glow long since you came to America 7'
1.-TWO years.
"Have you been in this city ever since 7''
"No, sir. We came here with my uncle
year ago. But he died month after our ar
rival"
"What was your uncle's name ?''
MIR. HOyle, sir.'
Then came another long silence, in which
Tue lad was not able to see the merchants
eouhtenance. But when he i'd look at him
"sain, there was such q new and kind express
s'oh TO the eyes which seemed almost to de-
,our his face, that he felt an assurance in his
neart that Mr.. Frazier was a good man, and
would be friend to his mother.
"Sitthere for little while," said Mr.. Fra
t,er; and turning to his desk he wrote note,
"a which without permitting the lad to see
, saat he was doing, he enclosed two or three
bank bills.
:. "Iake this to your mother" he said, hand
ing the note to the lad.
You'll try and get me place sir, won't
ioaf' The boy lifted to him an appealing
.Oh, yes. You shall have good place.
lISs ~, stay, You have not told me where you
AT No. -, Melon street,
very WE'LL" Mr.. Frazier noted down