The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-09-21
gntfresting Storp.


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Without lifting his eyes from the pa
per, Mr. Frazier answered No. to the
applicant, and in rather = rough way.
Before the lad reaches the street, con-
science compelled the merchant to listen
to the rebnking sentence:
You might have spoken kindly to the
boy at least said conscience. This is
an opportunity
Mr.. Frazier let the paper fall from be-
fore his eyes, and turned 10 look at the
lad. He was small-but clean. The mer-
chant tapped at oneeof the windows Of
the counting room, and the boy glanced
back over his shoulder. A sign from
the merchant caused him to return.
What did you say just nowT
DO you want q boy, sir?' The lad re-
peated the words he had spoken, hesita-
tingiy, a few moments before.
Mr. Frazier looked at him with sud
denly awakened interest. He had fair,
oirlish face; dark brown eyes and hair !;
and though slender and delicate in ap-
pearace, stood erect, and a manliness of
aspect that showed him to be already con
scious Of duty in the world. But there
did not seem 10 be much of that stuff in
him which is needed to fight the battle of
life.
Take a chair said Mr.. Frazier, an in
voluntary respect for the lad getting pos
session OF his mind.
The boy sat down with his large clear
eYes fixed on the merchants face.
How old are your
Il was twelve, sir, last month, replied
What splendid eyes said the mer-
chant to himself And have seen them
before, soft, dark, and lustrous as wo-
mans.
Away back in the past Mr.. Frazier
went, borne on the light from those beau
tiful eyes, and for some moments he for
got the present in the past. But when
he had come back to the present he had
softer heart towards the strange
lad.
You should go to school for year or
two longer he said.
Il must help my mother replied the |
lad.
is your mother very poor?'
Yes. sir; and she is sick
The lads voice shock little, and his |
soft woman's eyes grew brighter in tears |
that filed them.
Mr. Frazier had already forgotten the |
point of interest in the news after which
his mind was searching when the boy in
terrupted him. Il don't want q lad my
self said Mr.. Frazier. but may be |
might speak good word for you, and
that will help. you know. think you
would make an honest, useful lad. But
you are not strong
oh yes, am strong and the boy |
stood up in brave spirit.
The merchant looked at him with stea-
dily increasing interest.
What is your name p he finally ask
ed.
Charles Leonard, sir
There was an instant change in the
merchants manner, and he turned his /
face so far away that the boys eyes could |
not see its expression. For long time |
he sat still and silent-so long that the /
boy wondered.
Is your father living?' Mr.. Frazier /
did not look at the boy, but kept his eyes I
away. His voice was low and not very |
even.
No, sir He died four years ago
'WhereT The voice was quicker and |
firmer.
In London. sir.
How long is it since you come to
American
Two years
Have you resided in this city ever
sincef
No, sir We came here with my un-
Gle few months ago. But he died soon |
after our arrival.
Then came another long silence, in
which the lad was not able to see the /
merchants couutenance. But when he 1
did look at him sgain, there WAS such = !
new and kind expression in the eyes. |
which seemed almost 10 devour his face. /
that he felt the assurance in his heart /
that Mr.. Frazier was 4 good man, and |
would be a good friend 10 his invalid |
mother.
Sit there for little WHILE said Mr..
Frazier. and turning to his desk. he
wrote brief note. in which. without per
mitting the lad to see what he was doing
he enclosed two or three bank bills.
Take this TO your mother, he said.
handing the note to the lad.
You'll try and get me place sir.
woa't yo?' The boy lifted an appealing
look.
'Oh. yes. You shall have good place
But stay, you hsv'nt told me where yon
i've
AT No. -. Melon street
Very we'll Mr.. Frazier noted the
street and number. And now take that
note TO your mother
The merchant did not resume his pa
per after the lad had departed, He had
lost all interest in its conteats. For a
long time he sat with his face so that no
one could see its expression. If spoken
t. on any matter. he answered very
briefly. and with nothing OF his usual in
terest 10 business. The change in him
was so marked. that one OF the partners
asked him if he was not we'll. i feel
little dull was evasively answered.
Before his usual time, Mr.. Frazier left
his store and went home. As he opened
the door of his dwelling, the distressed
cries and sobs of . CHILD came with an
unpleasant snock to his ear. He went
up stairs with two or three long strides,
and entered the nursery, from which the
cries came.