Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-12-17
But when Mike and I went down, he

took to the vault, aud there would have
smothered but for my hearing him. I
don't care to tell you how we kept him
and filled the place with constables, who,
when the burglars came, pounced out
upon them and took them into custody.
You can guess all that. It's the poor boy
I have to tell you about-poor Ben 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 had used him cruelty.
Once ruffian of the gang had broken his
leg in a druken 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 decided 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, and put his hand
upon his arm.
Father" says he, C. want to ask you
one favor. I want my own way in one
thing"
"Wcll," said the old gentleman, "let
pe hear you"
II want to take Ben Wade into this
house as an errand boy said young Mr.
Grinby.
"Hey?" ?" said the old gentleman, "want
a young house. breaker as errand boy !?
Bless my soul"
Father" says young Griuby,- "the
boy is naturally good boy. l like him; ;
I want to save him. Perhaps, if 1 had
not so good a father to guide me and to
care for me, might have been worse than
hc l don't ask you to trust him, sir. l
only ask leave to trust him myself. l am
sure he will prove deserving of conf
dence."
Old Mr.. Grinby took out his snuff box,
and looked at Mr.. Morris.
"Ive noticed the lads eye; it's a good
one," said Mr. Morris.
Its risk" said Mr.. Grinby, "but
we'll consider"
And I 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 a week.
In a month or so people stopped pre-
dieting that young Grinby would repent
some day; and in year 1 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 every
one. Young Mr.. Grinby had him taught,
and well-taught, too. The lightning cal
culator mi ght beat him, but l doubt it !;
and l never knew that lad to forget to dot
his is or cross his is in all my acquaint-
ance 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 hm-a
sister, sir, of one of the young fellows at our
place, and girl who looked like queen,
aud was as good as she was handsome.
l used to meet them walking on the
battery where lovers used to walk in those
days. He was SO fond and proud of her,
and she had such tender way of looking
at him, that they made my old heart young 2
again, as often told Mrs. Humphries, to
whom l always confde everything. And
how he rcverenced her-why a ribbon or
faded flower that she had worn was
cherished by him as miser cherished his
gold.
At last he told me, in confidence-for
her name was sacred, and not to be spok en-
before every one-that they were to be
married.
And when.I look back, SIR" said he,
"and remember the miserable years of my
wretched childhood, and think how friend.
less and forlorn was, and how there was
nothing before me but prison or the gal.
lows, and think that now have 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 as Lucy--I can never
be too grateful to the kind friend who
saved me from life l dare not contem
plate. God bless Mr.. Grinbyv said he
lifting his hat reverently 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 "good d-night." All
dear me, it should have been good-by
Ten minutes after I went one way and he
the other. l took my way home, and he
as it seemed afterward, walked inst two
blocks and then came here. At twelve
o'clock that night awoke Mrs. Hum
phries.
/" Nv dear" said I. "I must have had
the nightmare or something"
Goodness" said she, sit seems so
Your hands are like ice. What gave it tc
you, love? The lobster. I'll be bound
Perhaps" said II admit ate
hearty supper. And nothing else could
make me fancy young Wade at my beside
white as ghost, with both 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
a rvIaoo Oe IL L