The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-02-18
1--WE can do nothing, wife"

old man cheerily, though the muscles OF
his lip and brow quiyered.
s.Father, is it st. John Martin, the
Leeds street lawyer, to whom you owe
this money z"
s.Yes; what do you know about him!''
s.Not much; but I met his son at sew
eral parties last fall, and II think, if
you were to go there and tell him just
how it is, or write, even
s:No use," croaked Mrs. Parker,
ssother folks amt SO ready
to let go of their money as your father is
Lucy"
May be it's worth trying" said old
Paul, hopefully, we'll write this very
night, and next week we'll go up to Bos-
ton and see what answer he makes u.s.
And then Lucy, blushing like a sweet
pea, ran to get the pen and paper, timid-
y trusting in the efficacy of her plan.
ssFor his father can't be SO very hard
hearted" she thought, "arrd they are SO
very rich that surely they will be will
ing to wait for this five hundred dollars
until we can pay it."
The elegantly furnished little office on
Leeds street did not often have such oare
equipages drawn up before it as Paul
Parker's mud be-splashed box wagon and
shaggy old pony, and the elegantly att
tired young lawyer, who sat at the desk
examining some papers, glanced up in
surprise at the blooming girl and the
bent old man who entered together, like
May and December.
ssLucy -
Ninian. thought your father-I did
not know that
"My father is detained at his country
seat, and [ am acting member of the firm,
Lucy He took me into partnership
last week, and that is
He turned inquiringly, and with some
thing of start, to the brown faced old
man, who stood in the background. Lucy
introduced her father, and stated their
business, with a profusion of very becom-
ing bushes. She bad not expected to
find her gallant young cavalier of the
past Fall in in the office of St John Mar
tin.
"We are in very straitened circum-
stances, Mr.. Martini" concluded Lucy
| sand my father cannot at present hope to
discharge this debt, but I am soon to
have very good situation in Madam
Elyaines school as music teacher, and
we can get along and pay part at a time
if your father would be so kind as to
wait little"
Lucy stopped short; her voice was
getting unsteady, and she was far too
proud to yield to the fast coming tears in
Ninian Martins presence
The young man had listened in silence
but now he took a tin box from its
shelf in the safe, and unlocking it, dis
closed sundry packages Of labelled notes,
receipts, etc.
"Let me see" he said, running his
eye over them, ''it was note for $500"
rs this your note 2''
eyes, sir.
| Ninian Martin tore it in two, and laid
and Lucy gazed In astonishment as the
young lawyer lifted his dark eyes calmy
! toward them.
''Mr Parker, you viii please consider
/ that you have this day received payment
/ for very old debt. We have balanced
accounts
'.Sir, [ don't understand you," said the
bewildered old man. 81 don't remems
/ ber-'
/ But / do. 1t is rather more than ter
/ years, Mr.. Parker, since you put that
money at interest"
"Sir1o
| s'l will be more plain with you," said
the young man smiling. ssPerhaps Miss
Parker is not aware that I am only the
adopted son of my more than father. Ny
real name is Nino Barlini I am an
Italian by birth. Just ten years ago
was begging in the streets of Landhill
starved and penniless. A kind hand
you know whose, Mr. Parker-extended ID
/ itself to me in the hour of need"
The old mans face lighted up.
| II do remember now. 1t was a fifty
cent piece; and told you to come back
| just a week from that time
sI did not come. No, but tried my
very best to come, but was prevented by
/ brutality of the man whose slave and
/ drudge I was. Well, begged my way
/ tyrant. ST. John Martin found me one
night in the streets, perishing from cold
and starvation. He had just lost his only
child, a boy Of about my own age, and
not unlike me in personal appearance
and somehow seemed to take the sore
vacant place in his heart. I resolved
that II It ever lay IN my power / would
return the gift a thousand fold. But ]
never dreamed that Lucy's father was my
benefactor.o
He turned to her with bright con.
gratulatory smile, while the brown face OF
old Paul Parker worked with emotions
he could not conceal.
81 thought you wouldn't ha' cheated
me, boy; thought your face was good
and true one! But / havn't no right to
your generosity. Your father
sMy father and are one, sir, in deed
though. and wish. =
81 don't know how to thank you,
young man."
Then do not attempt it. Perhaps one
of these days may ask you for yet more
/ favors."
Old Paul Parker went home to his
wife sedatcly triumphant.
"Wite, you've said, 4 told you 50, all
1 r. fr1r., -