South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-11-03

I-'' iVopie hbo" tudt you mean To rise aud
be man, aud sll whose friendship is worth
having will give ycu their hands. Go to
Amos Williams first
Il will 60
Then give me the sixpence'
Amos Williams stood at the great desk
IN his counting-room, and he was alone.
Wh'le he stood thus, casting up a column
OF hgures upon page of one of the ledgers,
the door was opened, aud Charles Aubrey
entered. lie was yet pale aud haggard,
and looked as he did when we saw him two
hours ago The merchant started back
with an utterance of pnin aud surprise as
be recognized in the miserable form before
him the once happy and beloved youth
whom he had delighted to honor.
Charles, he uttered, as soon as he could
command his speech, why have you come
here 2
MIR Williams said the youth in chok
ing voice, Il have come to-to-;ell you
that my course of wickeduess is run, and
from this moment ! am-a-'
Here he stopped. He hesitatcd a m oment,
and then his feelings overcame him and
bowling his head he burst into tears, and
sobs, loud and deep, broke from his lips.
The merchant was deeply affected and with
the warm tears gathering thickly in his
own eyes, he started forward and placed
his hand upon the youths head.
Charles, he uttered, in trcmulous,
eager voice, have you resolved to be a
manH
with Gods help, l will be a man again!
was the youths reply.
is your money all gomez?
Yes, sir. This morning | had one soil
tary sixpence left, aud that | gave to n
poor old woman who babe me to come
here
'Ay, know her She is an upfortu-
natc creature, and has suffered much. I
babe her if she seen you, and were cast
down and repentant, to send you here, for
| beard that you were at the foot Of the
precipcc. Now if you arc determined, you
shall not want for help
In eager, broken, sobbing, sentences,
Charles poured out his thanks, and stated
the resolution he had taken
and now, said Mr. Williams. after the
matter had been talked over some, 'wc must
find place where you can recruit your
strength little before you try to work.
There is my brother who owns a farm out
in NJ. He would be glad to have YOU
come out there and stop awhile aud when
you wholly recover your wasted strength
you shall have place here
At first the youth refused to accept so
much, for be knew his unworihiness but
the merchant simply answered him:
you can pay me for all this if you
choose, so you need not be delicate about
it; and as for your nworthiness-when
the lost ones Of earth arc not worth redeem
ing, then some other standard Of worth
must be regarded than that simple one
which Jesus of Nazareth gave to his follow
ers'
So it was settled that Charles should %
out into the country and remain awhile. He
found Mr.. Williams, the brother, read =
and happy to receive him, aud there lac
soon began to regain his health and spirits.
lu two weeks be was strong a. ever, and az
The end of month the marks Of dissipation
had all left his face. Then he returned
to town and entered the store. Amo.
Williams gave him lucrative station. and
bade him remember nothing of the past,
save the one great lesson he bad learned.
Charles, be said, do you know tho wild
ow Swan p
Yes, sir
well, have engaged board for you
there hope the arraugemcn; viii suit
you
yes, sir, returned the youth, with emo
ton
From that time Charles Aubrey went on
uobly and truly in the path be bad mark
ed out. As soon as be again made his ap.
poarance in prosperity, his old companion.
sought bis company once moro, but be re-.
pulsed them with a stern frmucsz that lef
them no hopes. Yet for month be wa.
beset with temptations in every shape, bu.
be hcsitatcd not once. Ills mind was mad.
up, and be made but one answer 20 on I'M
yitatious 20 depart from his course. A
length these temptations became less fire.
queu' and finally be was left 90 pursue hi
own course.
LjttIo did Charles Aubrey know how
: closely be had been watched Mr. vii
liams knew his every movement. even n
bis prayers, which be poured forth I'm tb
privacy Of his own apartment. Thus pass
cd away three months, and at the end o
that time Mr. Williams called The youut
man into tho countiug-room ono evening
after the rest Of The people bad gone.
well, Charles, the merchant common
ccd, how would you like 10 change You
boarding place 2
There was something io thc look au.
tone Of the man o. be spoke these words Tia
made The youth start The blood rushe,
to bic face, and anon be turned pale
IF you would like, The merchant resnm