Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-11-23
aNistsllanu.
EBWARB'S TEMPTATION.
BY AoRATIo ALGER, JR.

II was elk o'clock in the afternoon
Atthis time the wholesale warehouse
of Messrs. Hubbard & Son was wont tc
close, unless the pressure of business
compelled the partners to keep open
later.
The duty Of closing usually devolved
upon Edward Jones, boy of fourteen,
who had lately been employed to per-
form few slight duties, for which he
received the sum of fifty dollars annu-
ally. He was the "boy,n but if he be-
haved himself so as to win the appoba.
ton of his employers, his chance of
promotion was good.
Yet there We're some things that rem
dered this small salary hard trial for
him-circumstances with which his
employers were unacquainted. The
sudden death of Mr.. Jones had thrown
the entire family upon their own re-
sources, and these were slender indeed.
There was an Older sister who assist.
ed her mother to sew, and this with Ed.
wards salary constituted the entire in.
come of the family. Yet by means ol
untiring industry they continued thus
far to live, using strict economy, OF
course. Yet they wanted none of tho
absolute necessaries of life.
But Mary Jones, Edwards sister
grew sick. She had taken severe
cold, which terminated in fever
This not only cut OFF the income nris,
ing from her own labor, but also pre-
vented her mother from accomplishing
as much as she would otherwise have
been able to do.
On the morning of the day on which
our story commences, Mary had ex
pressed a longing for an orange. In
her fever it would have been more thar
grateful to her.
1t is hard indeed when we are oblig
ed to deny to those we love that whicl
would be a rcfreshment and benef
TO them. 3d..
Mrs. Jones felt this kcenly, and 50
did Edward.
II wish could buy you just one, Ma
ry,' said Edward, just as he set out
for the store. "Noxt year l shall
receive larger salary, and then We
shall not have to pinch SO much.n
Never mind, Edward said Mary
smiling family. ~ ought not to have
asked for it, knowing how hard you
and mother find it to get along with.
out me-"
Don't trouble yourself about that
Mary" said Mrs. Jones, soothingly,
though her heart sank within her an
she thought of her empty larder. "On-
ly get well, and we shall get along well
enough afterward.n .....
1t was with the memory of this
scene that Edward went to the store in
the morning. & -a .. .s.s"
All around him were boxes of rich
goods representing thousands of dollars
in money.
"Oh, thought he, "if / only had the
value of one of these boxes, how much
good it would do poor Mary" And
Edward sighed. s. ..m.
The long day wore away at last, and
Edward was then about TO close the
store. .... .."..
But as he passed the desk of his en-
ploycr, his attention was drawn to a
BIT of paper lying on the floor beneath.
lie picked it up, and to his great joy
found it to be ten-dolIar bill. The
first thought that flashed upon him
was, How much good this will do
poor Mary. can buy her the orange
She wants, and she shall have some
every day; and perhaps she would like
a chicken"
But a moment later, and his counte-
nance fell.
at isn't mine" he sighed. at
must be Mr.. Hubbard's. This is his
desk, and he must have dropped it,"
"Stili," urged the temp.er, hell new
er know IL. After all, what are ten
dollars to him? He is worth q hun
ureu thousand.n .#f aaa aE
Still Edward was not satisfied.
Whether Mr.. Hubbard could spare it
or not was not the question. 1t was
his, and must be given back
to him.
"I'll go to his house and give 1t to
him this very night" said Edward.
Otherwise i might be tempted to keep
it,"
He knew where Mr.. Hubbard lived.
1t was large, fne-looking house, on u
street. He had passed it
several times, and wondered whether
man must not live happily who was
able to live in such style.
Without unnecessary delay, there
fore, lac went to the house, and as
cending the stone steps, rang the door
bell. A man-servant came to the door.
"Well?" he said.
us Mr. Hubbard at home?n
'Ies, but he has only just come in,
and ! don't think he. can see you at
present." was the rather supercilious
reply.
~ am in his employ" said Edward
quietly, "and have just come from the
store. ! think he will see me if you
mention this to him.
VERY we'll: goa can come i'm