The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-04-13
BIDDEFORD ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL Is, 1866.

The tears strained themselves into the boys
eyes, his breast heayed, every limb shook. Mr.
Walden was touched. lie laid his hand upon
the boys shoulder.
"Tcl mo tho truth now, Lucius, hc said
you shall not DO sorry for it,"
Tho boy looked up; his face was white, and
worked fearfully. At last the half coherent
words struggled ont:
1t was all dmmed and blurred to me, Mr..
Walden, but ! suppose | did take the money,
although cannot remember very well; the
wine had got into my head.
Mr.. Walden shook his head. Bad company,
bad bonpany. my boy, he said.
1t was the FIRST time, the very FIRST time In
my life, speaking steady and fervent this time
l believe you and now IL, because Of this,
we take you back once more to your old place
will YOU promise for your own sake, not TO fail
again, to avoid all temptations OF evil, wine
and wrong companions, for they have made
you fall once. and they will inevitably dril'
you on to ruin?
will promise you, sir.
The be back Lucius to your old place to'mor'
row morning.
The boy buried his face in his hands and
burst into tears-tears which. in his case
dwelt repentnnce and { nea purpose. And
Mr.. Walden, touched beyond his usual sell,
laid his hand once more on the boys shoulder
and spoke To him words of counsel and encou-
ragement, which were almost fatherly in theil
tone, and even invited him to remain to supper
with his family; hut the reinstated clerk decl
ned doing this. Ard when Lucius Street went
out on the sidewalk once moro IL was not as ht
went in.
That night at Sparks saloon, half dozer
young men and boys, bent on what thew called
mischief and fun,' waited vainly for another
to join their company. The barn was Tired
the flames spread beyond the original intention
of the lncendiaries. Much valuable property
was destroyed, but Lucius Street was not there
to see. lie was faithful to his new covenant.
He withstood the ieers and rersuasions Of his
old companions, tho temptations and entice-
ments OF his city life.
As his years grew into manhood, he rose to
new positions OF trust and responsibility in tho
great warehouse, and always filled these places
to tho satisfaction of the propretors. and at
last he became head clerk in the establishment.
And it was not till the evening of his appoint
ment, which transpired ten years after his re.
instatement in the warehouse, that he related
to Mr.. Walden tho evil into which hc had fall
en- ut that time.
was on tho brink of an awful precipice, sir,
he said with emotion which fairly choked his
words. "NIy ruin was inevitable, and 1t was
you under God, who saved me-
Not !, interrupted Mr.. Walden, almost as
much moved as his clerk. Ii was Ellen, my
wife, who did it all.-You eve the thanks to
her.
And then the senior partner whose hair was
not now sllted, but crustcd with silver, related
all which had transpired between himself and
vile that afternoon in his sitting room ten years
before. And the young man wept like u child
again.
I never knew before what made Mrs. Walden
30 kind to me, he said (; understand it all now.
Come up to your supper to night, and tell
her with your own lips, said Mr.. Walden.
And Lucius went, and hearing II, Mrs. Wal.
den wcpt for joy, and thanked God in her own
heart.
How few women take any interest in the
life, moral or physical, of their husbands clerks
or employees! And here at their very doors,
orcn out great avenues, through which they
may wald like ministering angels, speaking
good words, doing their sweet, noble, most
womanly deeds. which shall be counted blessed
and honorable of the angels, and which shall
be like good gifts of fr nkincense and myrrh,
pleasant and acceptable in the sight OF God the
Father. ri Ladies' Repository.