The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1866-01-10
The Troubles Of a Merchant.


room. He was in the midst of piece oi
interesting news, when lad came 10 tbe
door and said-sDo you want boy, sir !'l
Without lifting his eyes from the paper
Nj. Frazier answered mo" TO the appii-
cant, in rather a rough-way.
Before the lad had reached the street, com
science had compelled the merchant to lis
ten TO rebuking sentence.
''You might have spoken kindly TO the
poor boy, at least" said conscience 'This
is an opportunity"
Mr.. Frazier let the paper fall before him,
aud turned To look at the lad He was small
but cl5sh The merchant tapped at one
of the Windows of the counting and
The boy glanced back over his shoulder
sign from The 'nefchant caused him to
return.
'Whal did yot say jnst now 2"
"Do you want a boy. sir 2" The lad re-
peaied the words he had spoken, hesitating
ly, few minutes before
Mr. Frazier looked al him with sudden
Iy awakened interest He had fair girls5
face, dark brown eyes and hair, and though
slender and delicate in appearance, stood
erect, with manliness OF aspect that show
The world. But there did mol seem to be
much OF that stuff in him shat is needed for
the battle of lie.
''Take chair" said Mr. Frazier, an in
voluntary respect for The lad getting posses
sion of his mind.
The boy sat down, with his large, clear
eyes fixed on the merchants face.
elbow old are you?"
81 was welve .lasi month, sir,D replied
the coy.
'tWhal splendid eye , said the merchant
to himself. "And PVe seen them before,
dark and Iusirous as womans."
Away back in the past the thoughts of
Mr. Frazier went, borne on the light from
those Iustrous eyes, and for some moments
he forgot the present in the past. But when
he came back into The present again, he
had softer heart toward The stranger lad.
eYou should go 10 school for year or
Two longer" he said.
81 must help my mother" replied the
boy
'Is your mother very poor !''
eyes sir, and she's sick"
The lads voice shook little and MS soft
womar's eyes grew brighter in tears that
filed them.
Mr.. Frazier had already forgotten the
point of interest in the news after which his
mind was searching, when the boy inter
rupied him. 81 don't want lad myself"
said MIR. Frazier, "bul may be can speak
a good word for you, and that would help
you know. ! think you would make an
honest and useful lad. But you are not
strone.n =
Oh, yes sir, Pm stronsW And the boy
stood up in brave spirit.
The merchant looked al him with stead
lily increasing interest.
"Whalis your name he asked 1''
f'CharFes Leonard, sir"
There was an instant change in the mef-
chants manner, aud be turned his lace so
far away that the boys eyes could not see
rs expression. For long time be sat still
and sient-so long that the boy wondered.
'Is your father living!" Mr. Frazier did
not look al the boy, bnt still kept his face
away. His voice was low, and not very
even.
''No, sir He died four years ago"
"Where" The voice was quick and
frmer.
"In London, sir"
"HOw long since you came to America 4"
Two years
"HaVe you been in this city ever since 2"
''No sir. We came here with my uncle,
a year ago. But he died month after our
arrival"
There came another long silence in which
the lad was not able TO see the merchants
roun;enanee. But when be did look al him
again, there was such a new and kind ex-
preston in the eyes, which seemed almost
10 devour his face, that be fel, assurance in
bis heart tha, Mr.. Frazier was a good man
and would be a good friend TO his mother.
"Sit there for little while," said Mr..
Frazier, and turning 10 bis desk, be wrote
brief nole, in which, without permitting the |
ad 10 see what be was doing, he enclosed
VIC or three bank bills
"Take this TO your mother" he said,
handing the note to the land
you'll Try and get me place, sir, WON'T
'ouW The little boy lifted 10 him an ap-
,ealing look.
"Oh, yes. You shall have good place !
Sol stay, you have no, told me where you
i've"
"At No. - Melon slreei.n
s'Vers we'll" Mr.. F. noted the street and /
lumber. "And now take that note to your