Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-07-01

idle curiosity. stopped over one train
expressly to find you il ! could, and
serve you. First, let me ask you, have
you made up your mind to lead an honest
life?n
"Ycs, sir; God help me. 1t was only
because everybody seemed to be against
me, that was tempted to turn back"
IL am merchant in New York, in the
wholesale line. / have large ware.
house, and numerous clerks. Can you
be ready to take the II o'clock train with
mc?"
"Are you in earnest, sir?"
Entirely So"
The light of hope returned to The young
mans check, and be said earnestly
"You shall find that am faithful, sir.
You arc indeed friend in the time Of
my severest need. | will meet you at
the railroad station"
"But you have had no breakfast. Come
with me-"
The young man hcsitated.
"Do not hesitate. You are from this
moment my clerk, and shall so intro.
duce you. Forget the past and look for
ward to bright future"
Ralph Erskine arose, put on his hat, and
left the graveyard with his new friend :.
As they walked side by side through the
large street, they attracted much atten-
ton. But Mr.. Peterson, by his easy con.
vcrsation restored the young man to n
feeling of comparative ease.
At length they reached the hotel and
entered.
breakfast for this young man." said
Mr.. Peterson.
The landlord hcsitated.
"Do you know him, slip" he said
1T is Mr.. Erskine. my clerk. Wetake
the IL o'clock train for New York, and
thel leforc will trouble you to be expedi-
tious. Let the breakfast be rs good rs
you can get"
"Yes. sir" said the landlord.
Ten minutes later, seeing Mr. Peterson
alone, hc came up to him softly.
Ibid understand that this young man
was going with you as clerkP"
Yes"
Excuse my asking when you engaged
him?r
This morning
81 beg pardon, sir, but you are not
perhaps aware that he is just out OF State
prison"
"What was he sent there for?n asked
the merchant quietly.
You see, sir. he was in the employ OF
Miller Il Jones, dry goods dealers. lie
did pretty well ut first, but he finally got
wild and extravagant, and at last stole
500 from them. II was found out, and
after trial, he was sentenced to year
in prison. He came back few days ago,
and has been trying to get employment
rs n hostler with me, bat | would have
nothing to do with him, and told him So"
Then you wouldn't advise me to take
him into my employment"
Certainly not, sir"
"Why not?"
"Why not" exclaimed tho landlord in
amazement Didn't tellyou he robbed
his employers, and had been in PRISON."
Then it seems he has been punished
for his fault. Do you wish him to
starye?"
why, no."
"But if he can't get anything else to
do. he must starve or 60 back TO stealing
When he applied to you for employment,
did you ask if he had repented of his
fault?"
mo, told him to clear out"
Then, if he had been driven 10 crime
again, it would have been the fault of
you, and such as you. | have engaged
him as my clerk, knowing his past. He
confessed all to me. | will thank you to
treat him with rs much attention IS my
self"
This hint was not lost upon the land
lord. in whose eyes Ralph Erskine. as the
employee ol New York merchant, was
person OF more Importance than when
he came to beg the position Of hostler.
Five years rolled away. Ralph Frs.
kline rose by degrees, through his busi-
ness capacity, to be head clerk, and
finally junior partner in the firm of which
Mr.. Peterson was the head. Then for
the first time he made pilgrimage to the
town where his mother had lived. He
was elegantly dressed, and bore with him
credentials from his firm. With quiet
step he entered the store where he had
been clerk.
"ls Mr.. Miller in?" he inquired.
Mr.. Miller came forward.
Il am Mr.. Erskine, Of the firm of Pc
terson & Erskine, New York"
"a large firm. sir; | am honored in
meeting with you," said Mr.. Miller.
"This is not our first acquaintance, Mr..
Miller"
"Indeed!"
"Did you not once have young man
in your employ named Erskine?"
YES but he turned out badly
care you sure of that?"
"Why, was he related TO you?"
IL am the man."