Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-02-25
much from lad brought up in the streets.

deeper lines in his wife's face. The little
girl at their Rreside had grown into tall,
handsome young woman. Ouce more We
enter the inner sanctuary of their lives.
"It is fathers step, mother" said Lucy
Parker, jumping to open the door. " Well,
father, what luck :"
"Bad enough, child," said old Paul,
meekly shaking the powdery fringe Of snow
from his overcoat. Millions down agiu
with fevsr'n sgue; his wife's poorly, aud
Bruce has had stroke, so he can't work
no more"
"Aud they didn't pay you the money!
Paul you were fool for ever lending it,"
shrieked his wife shrilley. "And what
are wo to do. with lawyer Martin writin'
and writin' for the money we owe him."
1--WE can do nothing, wife,"
1--WE shall be sold out at auction, and
die in the poorhouse yet. Oh, Paul, why
didn't you pay more heed to what I've al.
ways kept tellin' your"
"Not so bad as that, I hope," said the
old man cheerily, though the muscles of
his lip and brow quivered.
Father, is it to John Martin, the
Leeds street lawyer, to whom you owe this
money
"Yes; what do you know about him ?"
"Not much but met his son at sever
al parties last Fall, and IL think, if you
we're to 90 there aud tell him just how it
is, or write, even"
"No use," croaked Mrs. Parker, de-
sparingly, "other folks aint so ready to
let 60 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 thon Lucy, blushing like sweet
pea, ran to get the pen and paper, timidly
trusting in the efficacy Of her plan.
For his father can't be 80 very hard
hearted" she thought, "and they are 20
very rich that surely they will be willing
to wait for this Eve hundred dollars until
we can pay it,"
The elegantly furnished little Office on
Leeds street did not often have such ostre
equipages drawn up before it a. Paul
Parker's mud. d.be- -splashed box wagon and
shaggy old pony, and the elegantly attired
young lawyer, who sat at the desk examin-
ing some papers, glanced up in surprise at
the blooming girl and the bent old man
who entered together, like May and De.
cembcr.
Lucy"
"Niuian l 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, aud 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 bus.
iness, with profusion Of very becoming
bushes. She had not expected to find
her gallant young cavalier Of the past Fail
in the Office of st. John Martin.
1--WE are in very straitened circum.
stances, Mr.. Martin" concluded Lucy,
"aud my father cannot at present hope to
discharge this debt, but am soon to have
a very good situation 10 Madam Elvaiue's
school as music teacher, and We can get
along and pay part at time if your faith.
er would be so kind a. to wait . little"
Lucy stopped short; her voice was get
ting unsteady, and she was far TOO proud
to yield to the fast coming tears in Ninian
Martins presence.
The young man had listened 10 silence,
but now he took tin box from its shelf 10
the safe, aud unlocking it, disclosed suudry
packages Of labelled notes, receipts. etc.
Let me see," he said, running his eye
over them, "it was . note for $780,"
ais this your note!
"Yes, sir"
Niuian Martiu tore it in two, and laid
the fragments on the Ere. Paul Parker
and Lucy gazed in establishment a. the
young lawyer lifted his dark eyes calmly
toward them.
"Mr. Parker, you will please consider
that you have this day received payment
for very old debt. We have balanced
accounts"
"Sir, don't uudentand you," said the
bevi'dsred old man. II don't rsusn-
"But I do. It is rather more than ten
years. Mr.. Parker, since you put that
money at interest"
"Sirw
IL will be more plain with you." said
the young man smiling, Perhaps Miss
Parker is not aware that am only the
adopted son Of my more than father. Ny
real name is Nino Barlini. am an italian
BY birth. Just ten years ago I was beg
ging in the streets of Landhill, starved
and pennies. A kind hand-you know
whose, Mr.. Parker-exteuded itself to me
10 the hour Of need"
The old mans face lighted up.
81 do remember now. It vas . City
cent piece; and I told you to come back
just week from that time, and
II did not come. No, but I tried
ny very best 10 come, but was prevented
BY brutality Of the man whose slave and
drudve 1 vas We'll I ha0oad INV eav IN