Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-18
With kindling eye Walter replied,--

etOTy VI Oui hftc3 "Se'''9 'N'' aesHS'S1
of my own and leaving you unchanged,
THE little counsellor and good angel OF
the ambitious mans hard life. / painted
no fictitious sorrows. What had seen
and keenly felt could truly teli,--your
cheerful patience, Bess's faithful love, my
struggles, hopes, and fears. This book,
unlike the others, was not rejected for
the simple truth told by an earnest pen,
touched and interested. IL was accept
ed, and has been kindly welcomed,
thanks to you Jamie; for many buy it to
learn more OF you, to weep and smile
over artless words of yours, and forget
their pity in their reverence and love for
the child who taught the man to be, not
what be is, but what with Gods help be
will yet become
erhey are very kind, and so are you,
Walter, and / shall be proud to have
you rich and great, though man not be
here to see it.
You will, Jamie, you must; for it will
be nothing without you and as he spoke,
the young man held the thin hand closer
in his own and looked more ten1erly in
to the face upon his arm.
The boys eyes shone with feverish
light, scarlet flush burned on his hol-
low cheek, and the breath came slowly
from his parted lips but over his coun-
tenance there lay beautiful serenity
which filled his friend with hope and fear.
walter, bid Bess put away that tire
some work she das sat at il all day
long, never stirring but to wait on me !
and as he spoke troubled look fitted
across the boys calm face.
i shall soon be done Jamie, and |
must not think OF rest till then, for
there is neither food nor fuel for the
morrow. Sleep yourself and dream of
pleasant things; I am no: very tired
And Bess ben: closer to her work, try
ing 10 sing little song, that they might
not guess how near the tears were to her
aching eyes.
From beneath his pillow jamie drew
a bit Of bread, whispering to bis friend
as he displayed it,
Give it TO Bess; / saved it for her
till you came, for she will not take it
from me, and she has eaten nothing all
this day.
'And you, Jamie ? asked Walter,
struck by the sbarpened features of the
boy, and the hungry look which for a
moment glistened in his eye.
Il don't need much you know, for
don't work like Bess but yet she gives
me all. Oh, how can bear to see her
working SO for me, and lying idle here :
As he spoke, Jamie clasped his hands
before his face, and through his slender
fingers streamed such tears as children
seldom shed.
1t was SO rare thing for him to weep
that it filled Walter with dsmay and
keener sense of his own powerlessness.
He could bear any privation for himself
alone, but he could not see them suffer.
He had nothing to offer them; for
though there was seeming wealth in
store for him, he was now miserably
poor. He stood a moment, looking from
brother to sister, both so dear TO him,
and both plainly showing how bard
struggle life had been to them.
With bitter exclamation, the young
man turned away and went out into the
the night, muttering to himself
They shall not suffer; l will beg or
steal first
And with some vague purpose stirring
within him, he went swiftly on until he
reached thoroughfare, nearly deserted
now, but echoing occasionally to quick
step as some one hurried home to his
warm hresidc.
"A little money, sir, for a sick child,
and starving woman ) and with out
stretched hand Walter arrested an old
man. But he only wrapped his furs
still closer and passed on saying stern
ly,-
Il have nothing for vagrants. Go to
work young man
A woman poorly clad in widows
weeds passed at that moment, and as the
beggar fell back from the rich mans
path, she dropped bit of silver in bis
hand, saying with true womanly COM
passion
Heaven help you it is all have to
give
I'll beg no more, muttered Walter as
he turned away burning with shame and
ri take from the rich what
the poor so freely giUe. God pardon
me see n 1ther way, and they must
not starve.'
With a vague sense Of guilt already