The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-02-02
TROUBLES OF A MERCHANT


Ere he rounds the work OF his hands. .u
------------s~s----------
TROUBLES OF a NIERCH \ Mt.
Mr.. Frazier sat reading. in his rountng-
room. He was in the midst of u piece of
interesting news when lad came To the
door and said--"Do you want boy, sir?"
without lifting his eyes from the paper,
Mr. Frazier answered mo- tothc appli-
cant, and in rather rough way.
Before the lad had reached the street. con-
science had compelled the merchant to lis-
ten 10 a rebuking sentence.
'Iou might have spoken kindly to the
poor boy, at least said conscience. This
is an opportunity"
Mr.. Frazier let the paper fall before his
eyes, aud turned to look at the lad. Ilewas
small-but clean. The merchant tapped at
one of the windows of the couutingroon,
and the boy glanced back over his shOlll
der. A sign from the merchant caused him
to return.
''What did you say just now " i. ..
"Do you want boy, sir?'' The lad re-
peated the words he had spoken. hesitat-
ingly, n few minutes before. ....
Mr.. Frazier looked ut him With n sud
denly awakened interest. He had fair
girlish face, dark brown eyes and hair, and
though slender and delicate in appearance,
stood erect with u mlnlincss of aspect that
| showed him to be already conscious of duty
in the world. But there did not seem to be
much of that stun in him that is needed for
| the battle of life.
"Take chair" said Mr.. Frazier, an III
voluntary respect for the lad getting pos
session of his mind, ... .....
| The boy sat down, with his large, clear
eyes fixed on the merchants fa G.
"lIow old are you?" .r
~ was twelve last month, SIR" replied
the boy. "
"what splendid eyes" said the merchant
| To himself. "And I've seen them before,
| dark and lustrous as a womau's."
Away back in the past the thoughts of
Mr.. Frazier went, borne on The light from
those beautiful eyes; aud for some moments
he forgot the present. in the past. But
when he came back into the present again.
he had "A softer heart toward the stranger
| lad. . .-
''You should go tO school for year or
two longer" he said ....
u must help my mother" replied the lad.
'Is your mother very poor - .. .
''Ycs sir, and she's sick ...........
The lads voice shook little. and his
soft, woman's eyes grew brighter In tears
that filled them.
Mr.. Frazier had already forgotten the
point of interest in the news amer which
his mind WAS searching, when the boy in
said MIR. Frazier 'but may be can spea,
a good word for you, and that would help
you know. think you would make ar
honest and useful lad. But you are moi
strong" s.
''Oh, yes sir, I'm strongl" Aud the boy
stood up in brave spirit ......
The merchant looked at him with stead
, lily increasing interest. ,..
"What is your namef' he asked
"Charles Leouard, sir"
There was an instant change In the mcrch
ants manner, and he turned his Epcc So lal
away that the boys eyes could not see it,
expression. For long time he sat still
and silent--so long that the boy wondered
"ls your father liViugY" Mr.. Frl2ic
/ did not look at the boy, but still kept hi
face away. His voice was low, and no
very even. .n
"No. sir. lie died -four years ago
"WhereY" The voice was quick an'
/ firmer.
ain London, sir"
"How long since you came to America 2
1.-Two years"
''Have you been In this city ever since I
"NO, sir. We came here with my uncle
year ago. But lie died month after on
arrival" . ....
> There came another long silence, la whicl
ri the lad was not able to see the merchant
countenance. But when he did look a
him again, there was suCh new anu klli
, expression in the eyes, which seemed almOs
TO devOu his face, that he felt assurance
D In his heart that Mr.. Frazier was a goo,
man and would he good friend 10 hi
mother. Aa
"Sit there for n little while" said Mr.
Frazier, and turning 10 his desk, he wrot
bief note, In which, without permitun;
the lad 10 see what lie was doing, lac enoln
scd two or three bank bills.
Take this to your mother he said
handing the note to the lad.
you'll try and get mea place sir won
you 2n The little boy lifted 10 him an ap
pealing look. .u. ..,.
.Oh, yes. You shall have good place
But stay you have not told me where yol
. live"
at No.----MelOn street.
every welln Mr.. Frazier noted th,
street and number "And now take tia
note TO your mother
The merchant did not resume his news
paper after that lad had departed. lie has
lost his interest in its contents. For u tim,
he sat with his face so that no one saw IL
! expression. IL spoken Ia ON any mntte
he answered briefly. and with nothing o
his usual Interest Ia business. The chang
in him was SO marked that one of his part
ners asked him if he were not wei. Fee
little dull" he cvasivaly answered.
Before his usual time Mr. Frazier lcf
his store and went home. As he opene'
y the door Of his dwelling, distressed erie