The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-06-11

pN tntN u~-u Elil cruelty.
Once IA rutian of the gang had broken his leg in
drunken fury, and he limped yet from the in
jury. be was such a pale, worn. miserable
thing that every one felt merciiul to him, and il
was decided to pardon him and send him 10 the
poor-house
But that very morning, Grinby, junior-a
young man-came into the Office where his faith
! er sat, and put his hand upon his arm
Father" says he, Il want TO ask YOU a favor.
want my own way in one thing"
well" said the old gentleman, ''let me hear
you"
Il want TO take Ben Wade into this house as
an errand boy" said young Mr.. Grinby.
"iIey said the old gentleman. What, young
house-breaker as errand boy. Bless my soul :"
Father" says young Giinby, ''th9 boy is nat
uraily good boy. l like him, ! want to save
him. Perhaps, If had not SO good rather 10
guide me and TO care for me, | might have been
worse than he don't ash you to trust him, >lr.
L only ask leave ~ trust him myself l am sure
he will prove deserving OF confidence
Old Mr., Grinby took out Ms snuGbox, and
looked AT Mr. Morris.
"Ive noticed the lads eye; its good one"
said Mr.. Morris
Its a risk" said Mr.. Quimbv. "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 aud 40 abuse made dit
ference in him in week.
In month or 50 people stopped predicting
that young Grinby would repent some day and
in year don't think there WAS one in the flee
who didn't love that boy. So grateful, and 80
trustworthy, and ready to do everything for
every one. Young Mr.. Gr!nby had him taught
and well taught, too The lightning calculator
might beat him, but | doubt il; and ! never
knew that lad to forget do this IL cross his t.
in all my acquaintance with him after he had
learned TO write at all.
AT twenty he was one If the best clerks in our
establishment, besides being a fine looking
young fellow as one would wish to see On the
whole, did not wonder that Miss Lucy Evens
took fancy to nina sister, sir, of one OF the
young fellows at our place, and girl who look
ed like IA queen, and good as she WAS
handsome
used to meet them walking on the battery.
where lovers used to walk III those days He was
40 fond and proud of her and she had such d
tender way Of looking at him, that they made
my old heart young again. as l often told Mrs
HUMPHREYS to whom ! always confde every
thing. And how he reverenced her, Why. u
ribbon. or a faded flower, that she had worn was
cherished by him as a miser Cherehes his gold
AT last he told me. in conhdence-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 ne land
remember the miserable years Of my wretched
childhood, aud think how trlendles- and forlorn
l WAS. aud how there was nothing before me but
prison or the gnlows, and think that now |
have everyth;n-, to make mans life bcssed-the
power t" WIN respectable livelihood by reputa-
be labor, the Respect of hottest men, and the love
OF such Il girl as Lucy-l can never be TOO gra,e-
full 10 the kind friend who saved me from "A life
dare not contemplate Good bes, Mr GInby." ,
said lie, liin4 his hat revtren y H. he M yht IN
church. aud t'efe WIS a prayer il mis- dark eyes
~ he looke,! upward.
Those were the Last words ever heard him
speak, except "Good-night.' An, dear Inc. it
should have been goodbye. Tel. minutes after
/ went WY and he the other. | took my way
home. aud he. as it seemed afterwards. walked
just two b!,ek> aud then came back here At
l9 O'Clock til ; ui-lt awoke Mrs. HUMPHREYS
my dear. saii l. Il must have had the night.
| mare or something"
| hands are like ice. What gave it to You, love :
The lobster I'll hc bound"
"peihap-," said !. Il admit | ate a hearty
supper. And nothing else could make me fancy
young WIDE at my bedside, white As IA ghost.
~l'h both hands my hrc'>t.'
AN. but the nightmare j. AWAY. black net
white. said my wife. And then she went - "a
| little cuphoard and brought iue 4 gas. OF VINE.
After snat | went 20 sleep again.
did not rise early aud was quite behind nv
| usual time. But when | reached our place
| found it III great commotiou. Clerks runniu-
hither and thither, the heads of the firm stand
ing about IN the most Unbusne.s like manner.
and three c"nstables on the premises.
what is the matter, sir :" | said, addressing
| Mr.. Grinby.
Matter enough" said he We've been very
heavily robbed"
| II fancied that coudn't happen here" said !.
III really believed it would be impossible for
burglars TO break into Norris Grinby Il SOM.
| sir"
"Ah," said he, they did not break in. The
door has been quietly opened from the inside"
And helievc--," began Mr. Norris
"Sir," cried young Mr.. Grinby, ont OF breath
~ beg a. gentleman, AS a man of principle
you will not give utterance TO your uufoundcd
suspicions--totally unfounded and unworthy of
you
prove them SO, ,r,' said Morris, cody. "and
| I'll apologize"
| looked AN inquiry.
Don't ask explanations. I beg, Mr.. Hum
phries," said Mr.. Grinby. "Sumething has been
said, which the speaker will regret Alb, there
comes my messenger"
And in ran one OF our bows
We'll. Tom! Z" said Mr. Griuby.
MIR. Wade ant been Mt home all night, sir"
said Tom.
Il told you So" said Mr. Morris
"And tell you even yc, will not hear my
dear friend's-yes my very dear frend's-char.
acter aspersed," said young Grinby Hum.
phries, know You love Ben Wade as do.
Fancy i'm ,ginng him connected with this rob.
berry AZ well suspect my father or myself or
you