Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-07-28
Pnt when Mike and went down, he took

took them lntO cuslouy.f LOU chu Su0no "ii
that. It's the boy l have to tell you about
poor Ben Wade. 1t came out during the
Investigation, consequent upon the arrest,
that the poor child was kept amongst the
thieves by force, and that they used him
cruelty. Once ruffian Of the gang had
broken his legs in drunken fury, and he
limped yet from the injury. He was such
pale, worn, miserable thing, that every
one felt merciful to him, and it was decid-
ed to pardon him and send him to the poor
house.
But that very morning. Grinby junior
a Young man-came into the Office where
his father sat, aud put his hand upon his
arm.
Father" says he. II want to ask you
one favor. want my own way In one
thing"
We'll" said the old gentleman, 'let me
hear you"
81 want TO take Ben Wade into this house
as an errand boy, said young Mr.. Grinby,
Hey" said the old gentleman, ''want
young house-breaker as errand boy? Bless
my soul.
Father" says young GriDby, "the boy
is naturally good boy. like him; | want
to save him. Perhaps, if had not so good
father to guide me and to care for me,
might have been worse than he. | don't
ask you to trust him, sir. only ask leave
to trust MIN myself / am sure he will
prove deserving OF confidence.
Old Mr.. Grinby took out his snuff box
and looked at Mr.. Morris.
"Iye noticed the lads eye; it's good
one, said Mr.. Morris
ats risk, said Mr., Grinby, 'but We'll
consider"
And suppose the result was what young
Grinby wanted, for little Ben Wade came
to us the next Monday.
Now he was clean and whole, he didn't
look so bad, and good food and no abuse
made difference in him in week.
In month or so people stopped predict
ing that young Grinby would repent some
day, and in year don't think there was
one in the office who didn't love that boy
SO grateful, and so trustworthy, and so
ready to do everything for everyone. Young
Mr.. Grinby had him taught, and well
taught, too, The lightning calculator might
beat him, but doubt it; and never knew
that lad to forget to dot his is or cross his
is Ia all my acquaintance with him after
he had learned to write at all.
At twenty he was one of the best clerks
in our establishment besides being fine
looking young fellow as one would wish to
see. On the whole, did not wonder that
Miss Lucy Evans took fancy to him--a
sister, sir, Of one of the young fellows at
our place, and girl who looked like
queen, and was Al good rs she was hand
some.
used to meet them walking on the bat.
terry where lovers used to walk in those
days He was 80 fond and proud of her,
and she had such tender way of looking
ut HIM, that they made my old heart young
again, rs l often told Mrs. Hamphries, to
whom always confde everything. And
how he reverenced her--why, ribbon or
n faded flower that she had worn was
cherished by him rs miser cherishes his
gold.
At last he told me, in confidence - for her
name was sacred, and not to be spoken
before every one-that they were to be
married.
"And when look back SIR" said he,
'and remember the miserable years of my
wre!ched childhood, and think how friend
less and forlorn l WAS, and how there was
nothing before mo but a prison or the gal
lows, and think that now Ihave everything
to make mans life blessed-the power to
win respectable livelihood by reputable
labor, the respect of honest men, and the
love of such girl rs Lucy-T can never be-
too grateful to the kind friend who saved
me from life | dare not contemplate. God
bless Mr. Grinby" said he, lifting his hat
reyerently as he might IN church, and there
was prayer in his dark eyes AS he looked
upward.
Those were the last words | ever heard
him speak, except Goodnight" All,
dear nv, 1t should have been goodbye.
Ten minutes alter went one way and he
the other. | took my way home and be,
as it seemed afterward, walked just two
blocks, and came back here. At II o'clock,
that night awoke Mrs. Humphreys,
My dear, said |, II must have had the
nightmare or something"
Goodness !" said she, sit seems so.
Your hands are like ice. What gave it to
you love The lobster, I'll be bound !"
Perhaps" said l. II admit | ate
hearty supper. And nothing else could
make me fancy young Wade at my bed
side, white AS ghost, with both his hands
on my breast.
"Ah, but the nightmare is always black,
not white, said my wife. And then she
went to little cupboard and brought me
glass OF wine. After that went asleep
again.
| did not rise early, and was quite behiad
my usual time. But when | reached our
place found il il great commotion. Clerks
running hither and thither. the heads of
the firm standing about IL the most IN
business like manner, and three constables
on the premises.
What is the matter, sir p said, address.
ing Mr.. Grinby.
Matter enough. said he, We've besn
very heavily robOed."
Il tancied that couldn't happen here, "
said l. ~ really believed it would be i'm
possible for burglars TO freak into Morris,
Gyinby h Sons, sir, -
An SAID he, they did not break in.
The door has been quietly opened from the
inside.