Maryland free press., 1866-06-28


his father, sat- late in the evening, q young man,
deeply absorbed in o book. Itwas Edward him
| SELF now on the verge ofmanhood. He:had grown
| tall and well-developed In chest and limb. His
face WAS thoughtful, intelligent and grave; for
one of his years his eyes large, deep, earnest and
full of purpose, as you would have acknowledged,
bad you seen them, as he looked up from his book
on the entrance of his mother. He smiled as he
| closed the volume and said,
"Sit down, mother"
As Mrs. Strong sat down, Edward continued
when my father died he left me his good
name. Its lustre is not furnished yet, and God
being my helper, it never shall be lcannot for
| get that hour, nor what my father said TO me, a
little while before his voice grew forever silent
tho earth. II was q legacy better than gold
He said, 'Be honest, virtuous, industrious end
temperate" and ever since that time have SEEM
ed to hear his voice repeating the Injunction.
have not been without a temptation, but a thought
OF him always gave me strength to overcome, and
so, ,dearmother, have conquered thus far, though
many have fallen around me. There was another
injunction which have endeavored strictly to
obey. He said, "Be faithful 10 your employer as
if the business were your own" have endeav-
ored to be thus faithful, and this faithfulness has
worked TO my own benefit in many WAYS and
4 now, especially, in this: To-day Mr.. Campbell
made me foreman of the shop, and increased my
wages to eighteen dollars a week, saying to me
| at the same time, such kind and fatterinq things
as covered my checks with blushes"
There Is no happier mother than / am to-
night, said Mrs. Strong, as she clasped the
hands OF her son, and held Them lightly against
her breast. -1 -.'''
Even at this moment there came a loud, riot
GUS cry from the street in front OF their dwelling,
startling mother and sou from their present state
OF mind. On going to the window and looking
out they saw young man struggling in the
bands Of police officer. -.
"Charles Raynor, as l livep exclaimed Ed
ward. -
"Whati is the matter with him q. asked Mrs.
Strong, in an alarmed voice.
Drunk, that is all" said Edward, as he saw
the young man throw his arms above his head,
and heard him cry out in voice that was in.
coherent from intoxication. At this moment the
door of Mrs. Raynor's elegant mansion.opened
: and a waiter came out hurridly. Seizinp an arm
ofthe young man, he drew him, with the assist.
ance OF the policeman, into the house. The door
shut, and the policeman retired.
"Wretched mother |, said Mrs. Strong, in Q
tone of pity las she turned from the window with
. tears In her eyes. ''How my heart aches fol
{ herp'
A few months afterward Mr.. Campbell stood
talking with Edward in the shop on some matter
of business. He had finished what he had to say
, and was about turning from the young man
when, from the impulse Of some thought, presen
ting itself at the moment, he asked,
"How old are you, Edward ~
81 am twenty-One to-day was replied.
"Ahi then you are ofager
ayes, SIR"
~ congratulate you on attaining your MAORI
ty, said Mr.. Campbell, taking Edwards hand anS
grasping it warmly. 'tIf the promise of you
boy hood is fulfilled success and honor lie befor
you. Since the day you came into my shop as
. boy, have never had aught against YOU"
) ~ have always tried to do my duty" said tn
young man modestly.
: tAnd you have not failed. But what are you
plans as to the future p said Mr.. Campbell.
~ have no plans SIR"
= 81 should like you still to hold, your presen
situation"
."I have no wish to change, " was answered.
: "You have made my interests your own" sait
Mr.. Campbell, speaking slowly, like man Wit
, desired his words to be understood and remem
bered 'tand hereaf er your interests shall be mine
Remember that am in earnest Edward" ant
. turning away, he left the shop.
What happy mother was Mrs. Strong on tina
birthday evening of her son, when he repeated 4
!, her the words Of Mr.. Campbell Her heart ben
, ,, in great throbs Of pleasure, and swelled witt
pride and gratitude.
30, my son p' she exclaimed, "you have mad
! : my cup trimming with joy"
SIT was three or four weeks subsequent to thi
time, when a young man, fashonably dressed
entered the office of prominent citizen, an,
. said to an attendant, in curt, half insolen
way,
3. Is Mr.. Il inT
"Heis," replied the attendant.
. .Then wish to see him.
3 "Will you take seat sirf He is engaged jus
. now"
: "How long will he be engaged?" asked th
; young man, rudely."
'Not long. Sit down."
The visitor muttered something impatiently
and commenced walking the floor in q restles
way. After q few minutes he turned to the at
tendant and said,
..Go and t.ll Mr.. H that Charles Rayno
wishes to see him."
The ascendant went into she next room, ant
returned in a few moments, saying that Mr.. H
, would he at leisure in five minutes. At the ent
of this time the gentleman, with whom Mr. H
, had been ENGAGE, came out when the youul
man passed in.
"Good morning, Ch es," said Mr.. H
smiling and extending his hand, as his visito
entered. Mr.. II = was a MAJ somewhat pas
middle age, with face that indicated soidity o
character, unitd it an intelligent experience
life. The smile with which he greeted the younl
! man, played for only moment or two about hi
. lips when his look b. anne grave.
az suppose" said Char s,, as he sat down n
Il 9 request of Mr.. H, you are aware that
am Of age to-day"
'Yes, Charles, am aware Off," replied Mr.
sand you are also aware" said Charles, "tha
according TO my J. ier'S Will am now 10 recelV
my share of his estate"
'.Mr. H. bowed in acquiescence.
"On what day will you be prepared to plac
me in possession of the property"
"Whenever you desire it,"
I'll desire it now," said the young man-.tha
Is, inst rs soon rs the proper legal papers can b.
executed. To-day want five thousand dollars
Can b We itF'
MIR. H. looked at the stripping, whose fac
already boressal evidences of sensual indulgence
and .vil pass on, and esitated to reply.
"Did yea understand me, sir2" The manner
of Charles Raynor W ,s impatient
81 understand you, Charles"
every well. Can have the money to-day p
az do not wish to be intrusive, Charles; bu
as your late fathers friend, and yours alsoI vii
venture to ask as to the use you wish to make o
this large sum afmoney2"
The yauBg man drew himselfup with an offend
ed air, and said, with an etfsrt to be dignifed,
az believe, sir, that I am fully competent tc
manage my own business. am man, and re
sponsible TO no one."
Mr.. H. bowed coldly, and replied,
"Come at one clock, sir and will be read,
for you"
Charles drew ont his watch and looked at Il
a..