American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-11-14

hOpOJ away iiS-@ n'N " At1H'5S " SS
horrid ha bits Why don't you earn
money for yourself?
Easy, mamma, easy" said the dutiful
son, lazily dragging himself to sitting
posture. Don't lose your temper, for it
isn't worth while. This ten dollar bill is
going to help make my fortune. 1t shall
take the lovely Laura to the opera, to-
night"
Nonsense this fine scheme will fash
in the pan, just like all the rest of your
castles in the air. She won't have you"
"0h, yes, she will, my inertdplo4s
mamma wait and see. l shall bring
her to the point pretty soon. Then, I'll
pay you back the money, with interest,
out of my lady's bag of sinners"
"And will you leave off your gambling
habits ? Oh, Fl,rian, they viii be the
ruin of you yet"
Perhaps, perhaps not" returned the
young man insolently. "That will be
very much as / please"
Both the mother and hopeful son had
apparently forgotten the presence of the
young girl, who was standing in the
dusYy shadows near the door, until this
moment, when Mrs. 'Richley. turning
sharply round, saw her
What are you waiting for ?" she ask.
ed, irritably. al have already told you
that it was not convenient to pay you the
money to night Why dent you go about
your busincss?" 'r"
Her cheeks were flushed even beyond
their artificial bloom of rogue, and her
chill gray eyes sparkled with rising an
ger as Laura Avery composedly walked
forward. }'Hs !
She took one of the wax tapers from
the china she'll. and lighted the gas with
a steady hand whose flash of rings
struck Mrs. Richley with astonishment.
| am sorry that you cannot pay your
just debts Madame" said Laura, quietly
looking the amazed mother and son in
the face "but | am not sorry for any
occurrence that has had the effect of
opening my eyes to the true character Of
Mr. Florian Richley. I win take the ten
dollars, sir, to my sick friend, as you will
find it entirely unnecessary to go to the
expense of taxing Miss Laura Avery to
the opera to night"
Florian's handsome check had grown
pale, his knees quivered beneath him as
he mechanically took the bill from the
pocket book and placed it in the hands of
the imperative beauty, while Mrs. Rich
ley sank back aghast into the cushioned,
easy chair
Florian made one desperate attempt to
retrieve his lost fortune, even in the mo-
ment of sore defeat and discontinue.
/ am very sorry-awkward mistakes
hope you will afford me an opportunity
for explanation" he stammered.
! require no explanation, sir" was
Laura's cold reply, as she withdrew from
the apartment, naughty and uuapproach.
able as statute Of ice.
She hurried homeward through the
twilight streets with a burning cheek and
burning heart, and it was nearly dark.
when once more she entered Miss Way
nails room, lighted only by the faint glow
of the low fire.
Back so soon, Laura ?" asked Ellen,
somewhat surprised.
Here is the money, Nelly, and the
wine she said, thankful for the dim light
that could not betray her tell-tale features,
"And now you must get well as fast as
you can"
oh. Laura, am so much obliged TO
you" said Ellen earnestly.
Laura stopped to kiss her friends pale
cheek, inwdrdly rejecting how much she
had to thank Ellen's indisposition
But she never told Ellen of the dis
covery she had unwittingly made, while
fulfilling the gentle mission of friendship,
and no one ever knew the precise manner
in which the contemplated match between
Florian Richley and Laura Avery was
broken off f1
/ There are some things that bring their
own reward in this world, aud the sone
act of kindness has saved Laura from
lunconseiously taking the step that would
have precipitated her into lifetime of
misery.
For the current year, 1865, the ag.