The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-04-27

steps 10 the gentleman's side.
Mr. Waldon looked on his former clerk
with kindly eyes, which were not to be
mistaken.
"Come in, Lucius, come in," he said.
And the youth followed him into the
great parlor, whose gorgeousness fairly
dazzled his eyes, and seating him in one
chair, took another by his side, and, look
ing at him, said in kindly voice, I" Lu-
cius, you have an honest face, and you
had an honest name I'LL that time, and
because Of it, if YOU had told the truth,
we would have forgiven and kept you"
The tears strained themselves into the
boys eyes, his breast heaved, every limb
shook. Mr.. Waldon was touched. lie
laid his hand on the boys shoulder.
"Tell me the truth now, Lucius," he
said, "you shall not be sorry for it,"
The boy looked up; his face was white
and worked fearfully. AT last the half
coherent words struggled out:
ats all dim and blurred to me, Mr..
Waldon; out | s'pose did take the
money, although can't remember very
well; the wine had got into my head"
Mr.. Waldon shook his head.
Bad company, bad company, my
boy" he said.
1t was the first time, the very first
time, in my life" speaking steady and
fervent this time.
II believe you; and now, if because
Of this, we take you back once more to
your old place, will promise, for your own
sake, not TO fall again--to avoid all temp
tations of evil, wine, and wrong compan-
ions for they have made you fall once,
and they will inevitably drift you to your
ruin"
al will promise you, sir"
"Then be back, Lucius, TO your old
place tomorrow morning"
The boy buried his face, in his hands,
and burst into tears--tears which, in his
case, were the blessed "latter rain," in
which dwelt repentance and new pur-
pose. And Mr.. Waldon, touched beyond
bis usual self, laid his hand once more OH
the boys shoulder, and spoke to him
many words of counsel and encourage.
ment, we're almost fatherly 10 their tone
and even invited him TO remain to sup
per with his family; but the reinstated
clerk declined doing this. And when Lu-
cius Street went out on the sidewalk
once more it was not as he went in.
That night, ut "Spark's Saloon" half
dozen young men and boys, bent on
what they called mischief" and "fun,"
waited vainly for another to join their
company.
The barn was fired; the flames spread
beyond the original intentions of the in
cendiaries. Much valuable property was
destroyed, but Lucus Street was not
there to see. He withstood the jeers and
persuasions of his old companions, the
temptations and enticements of his city
life.
As his years grew into manhood he
arose to new positions Of trust and re-
sponsibiity in the great warehouse and
always filled these to the satisfaction of
the proprietors and at last he be-
came head clerk in the establishment
And it was not till the evening of his ap-
pointment which transpired ten years af-
ter his reinstatement in the warehouse,
that he related to Mr.. Waldon the evil in-
to which he had fallen at that thine.
Il was on the brink of an awful prec-
pice, sir" he said, with emotion which
fairly choked his words. "My ruin was
inevitable, and it was you, under God,
who saved me-"
"Not l." interrupted Mr.. Waldou, al
most as much moved rs his clerk, "it
was Ellen, my wife, who did it all. You
owe the thanks to her."
And then the senior partner, whose
hair was not sifted, but crusted with sill
yer, related all which has transpired be-
tween himself and wife that afternoon in
bis sitting room, ten years ago. And the
young man wept like child again.
Il never knew before what made Mrs.
Waldon so kind to me,' he said; 81 un-
derstaud il all now"
"Come up to supper tonight, and tell
her with your own ips," said Mr.. Waldon.
And Lucius went, and hearingit, Mrs.
Waldon wept for JOY, and thanked God
in her heart.
How few women take any interest in
the life, moral or physical, Of their hus-
bands clerks and employesl And here,
at their very DOORS. open out great ave-
nues, through which they may walk like
ministeriug angels, speaking good, true
words, doing their sweet, noble, and most