The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-11-12
truly sensible mind, he read Harry

SeOIy. ~. -af. ...-- .a=
"There's lad who'll make his way
in the world" he muttered to him
self as he passed along.
Meanwhile Harry had commenced
his task, and though he handled it
somewhat awkwardly, SO that it gave
him the greater trouble, hepersevered
and made tolerable progress. After
awhile the saw no longer caught in
the wood, and jerked and stood still,
but ran smoothly along, and began to
give him some satisfaction. Stick af-
ter stick. was severed, and added to
the now rapidly growing pile down in
the cellar. The labor was fatiguing,
and Harry's arms aehed; but he
worked on ..-..- al. ..-.l CON.
Three hours passed away, and as he
piled his task with an unwearied de-
termination, there came along again
the old gentleman of the morning.
He halted, and looked steadily at the
boy. ,.,, fs-..,.,.-+.s5 s..e .',,, j..
"You are working hard there my
lad" he said. ,ag f.sa
Rather-yes, sir,n Harry answered,
speaking quietly, but slightly color
ing. sfsse -s.a,.. 5.....e
"Not doing it for amusement, eh ?n
he said. e,ef e.if rc -.
"Hardly, sir" answered Harry,
gently and respectfully; "no, not for
amusement, certainly, but from neces-
sity." -s.f s.e--s .....-. 49,
"That same necessity is something
of tyrant! I have found it SO myself.
But your father might have. hired a
wood-sawyer (the old gentleman pre-
tended to be ignorant of the true state
of afairs); your father might have
hired woodsawyer to do this work.
You ought to be at school,, T. e
"It is not my father who lives here,
sir" said Harry; the people for whom
1 do this work are strangers to me,
and they hired me as they would have
hired any one else. I needed work,
and was seeking for it." .Ear,,r.aye
/ He said all this quietly and straight
forwardly, too manly to feel false
shame because of his position. s.,.
| ~O-ah, yes-yes! comprehend
now,D said the old gentleman, nodding
his head several times. HI.compre-
hend now. So you were looking for
i work !? Well, but you might have
found employment of higher grade
than this, should say" sl- aiH b
f. "I should have liked something diff
ferent, of course, sir. I tried, and
| tried very earnestly, too, for several
weeks, to get a place in an Office, ora
| store, OF something of the kind /; but
there were too many applicants al
ready" rsii s 4.E.G fI..tgo,1 Q
4 "All the places filled, Ell? Well
even in that case, a good recommends
alton may do wonders. Had you nc
wealthy friend to help you ?"i E1a
4 "None, sir. L am a stranger in the
city," 1.s.iHe rsgtk 3Hr Il gal-
This answer called two OF three
fresh questions from the old gentle,
man, which drew from Harry the his.
tory of his family fortunes and mis-
fortunes and to this account his aud
itor listened with the deepest atten
, ton. There were few with whom tht
lad would have been so frank, bu
there was something in the counte
nance of his questioner, so much o
kindliness, of interest and sympath.
) in that and in his manner of question
l ing, that Harry's confidence was a
:. once gained. The old gentleman heart
him to the end, and then seemed to fal
into thought. Soon; however, III
0 reused himself from his reverie.
"Yours is very interesting his
tory, my lad" he said. You hav
truly fallen into sad circumstances
> The exertions you have made to extri
. cate yourself are truly creditable.-
But there are not many who in you
!. y place would be willing to push thos
! exertions so far; scarce one VIII
would not consider himself degrade
= by doing what you are doing now
= They would be ashamed to do it.
=, How is it with you pr i'-''' -''''''''li'
~ s.I do. not feel myself degraded
# sir" was Harry's quiet, respectful, "
dignifed reply. al am not ashame
of an honorable employment. l d
not like it, it is true-this wood-saV
~ ing; but it it is an honest occupatio
I'LL at least, and as for those who woul
y sneer at it, their opinion would NJ
u trouble me, for I should not for OF
as moment think it worth caring for.
Il Harry, continuing his task, did n
see the expression of pleasure that tt
1t declaration of these independent SCI
= timents caused to light up the count
IN nance of his hearer. But the old gel
he tleman made no observation concer
ing them. However, after a moment
ne silence, he said: +.r,..... -
~ ~ $50, my boy, you would like like som m
~ thing different from this to do !? son
ne occupation more eongenial to yol
tastes? I think I may do somethil
as for you. If you will put on yo
lat jacket now, Che watched Harry ma
o. rowly as he made this proposition, }
ne you will put on your jacket. thro
on aside these tools, and go with me
!" my Office" -; 49,;
d.! Harry had looked suddenly up, wi
rs. an eager face, and half suspended
MS task at these delightful words. =.
"You are very goodl" he sal
ms smiling brightly; you are very goo
ad indeed" Here, however, his CLAN
i'd turned, as he bethought himself
as that moment, to the work upon whi
lot he was engaged. The smile half fad
ng. from his face, lost in a thoughtful a