The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-11-29

have to tell you about--poor Bed Wade.
1t came out during the investigation con-
sequent upon the arrest, that the poor
child was kept among the thieves by
force, and that they used him cruelty.
Once u ruffan Of the gang had broken
his leg in drunken fury, and he limped
yet from the injury. He was such a
pale, worn, miserable thing, that every
one felt merciful to him, and it was de-
cided to pardon him and send him to the
poor-house.
But that very morning, Grinby, ju-
mora young man-came into the office
where his father sat, and put his hand on
his arm.
Father" says he, 81 want to ask
you favor. | want my own way in one
thing"
"Well. let me hear you,' said the old
gentleman.
al want to take young Ben Wade in
to this house as an errand boy" said
young Mr.. Grinby.
Hey?" said the old gentlemen ;
what young housebreaker as errand
boy? Bless my SOUL"
Father" says young Grinby, " the
boy is naturally good boy. like him,
want to save him. Peahaps, ifI had
not SO good father to guide INC and care
for me, | miSht have been worse than he.
| don't ask you to trust him, sir. | only
ask leave to trust him myself. am sure
he will prove deserving Of confidence.
Old Mr.. Grinby took out his snuff
box, and looked at Mr.. Morris.
"I'vc noticed that the lads eye is a
good one," said Mr.. Morris.
It's risk" said Mr.. Grinby but
we'll consider"
And | suppose the result was what
young Grinby wanted, for Ben Wade
came to US the next Monday.
Now he was clean and whole, he didn
look so bad, and good treatment and no a
buse m lde difference in him in week
In month or SO the people stopped
predicting that young Grinby would re
pent some day; and in year don
tHluh tHcIc WIS Ouc III thC oihCO wiz
didn't love that boy. So grateful, and 81
trustworthy. and SO ready to do every
thing for every one. Young Grinby hat
been taught, and well taught too. Th
lightning calculator might beat him, but
doubt it and | never knew that lad t.
forget to dot his s or cross his is, in al
my acquaintance with him after he hat
learned to write at all.
At twenty he was one Of the bes
clerks in the establishment, besides bein
as fine II looking young fellow as one coul
wish to see. On the whole | did no
wonder that Miss Lucy Evans took
fancy to him--a sister, sir. of one of tn
young fellows at our place, u girl VIII
looked like queen, and was as good a
she was handsome.
]. | used to meet them walking on tn
battery where lovers used to walk i
those days. lie was SO fond and prou
of her, and she had such tender way c
looking at him, that they made my ol
heart young again, as often told Mr.
/ Humphries, to whom always conhd
everything And how he reverenced he
: why Il ribbon, or faded flower, that sh
had worn, were cherished by him as
miser cherishes his gold.
= At last he told me, in confidence
d for her name was sacred and not to /
spoken before every one-that they wei
t to be married.
And when | look back, sir" said h
r land remember the miserable years
my wretched childhood, and think no
Q friendless and torlorn | was, and no
/ there was nothing before me but prise
h OF the gallows, and think that now l ha,
everything to make mans life blessed
/ the power to earn Il respectable livelihOc
by reputable labor, the respect Of hone
" men, and the love of such girl as Luc
i can never be too grateful to tho kiI
+ friend who saved me from life da
}. not contemplate. God bless Mr.. Grinby
$ said he, lifting his hat reverently as
| might in church, and there was pra
e er in his dark eyes as he looked u
ward
c Those were the last words l ev
heard him speak, except "Good-night
= All, dear me, it should have been goo
e bye. Ten minutes after | went one W,
y and he the other. took my way HON
e and he, as it seemed afterwards, walk,
d just two blocks and then came back.
(. twelve o'clock that night | awoke MI
e Humphries.
, MY dear" said |, ~ must have hi
the nightmare.
'e Goodness" said she, "it seems :
Your hands are like ice. What "a
lie it to you, love? The lobster. III
bound.
1t Perhaps" said |. And nothing el
$. could make me fancy young Wade at Il
es bedside, white as ghost with both han
TO on my breast"
"Ah but the nightmare is alwa
5, black, not white" said my wife. A
!; then she Went to a little cupboard a
re brought me glass Of wine, After th
| went to sleep again.
ii l did not rise early, and was quite
r. hind my usual time. But when reaC
T. ed our place found it in great comm
st ton. Clerks running hither and thith'
h. the heads Of the firm standing about
ne the most unbusiness-like manner, a
three constables on the premises.
n. What is the matter, sir ?" said |, d
IT, dressing Mr. Grinby.
re Matter enough" said he, Ave
so been heavily robbed"
to :" fancied that co1ldnt happen her,
ng said |. Il really believed it would
impossible for burglars to break il
Morris, Grinby x Sons sir"
he "Ah," said he, "they did not bre
of in The door has been quietly oper
on from the inside"
a "And believe---," began \
re, Morris.
We "Sir," cried young Mr.. Grinby, out
in breath, 81 beg, as gentleman, as II