The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-31

alhe, anu tuIH over new leAl Wneu you
once get fair start. Come to my house
tomorrow, aud there will be paper for
you to sign II you approve oft.
Twelve months passed away, and tho
jreuy Winter came round again, when |
bad another visit from John Yates. OF
course / had often seen him during the
year, for we were better friends than ever.
lie was nearly another month out Of reg
ular work, aud was often very hard up,
and hO and his wife talked a good deal over
''whnt the parson said" rs he told me. At
first she was rather high and mighty about
it, and thought it was interfering in their
affairs, for she had been upper housemaid
before she was married, and was inclined
10 he "genteel." But Johns good sense
prevailed, lie reasoned the matter out
for himself, md soon came to see that go
ing on as they were, they were fast going
to the parish, or worse. The pinch Of poy-
erty, too, which she had never felt before,
was forcible argument with her; and
they both oi them made up their minds to
work hard and save carefully, Especially as
there was another little mouth to be led
by this time, and try and get straight,
and have little put by for rainy day.
He found his beer IN expensive luxury,
and n temptation, too, SO he gave II up,
and gets on Just as well, II net better,
without 1t. And he made up his mind
that to so on Sunday excursions, and
home late and tired, and half stupid with
bad beer and gin, was not recreation, and
that he might get rest and recreation in
better ways. All there things / found out
or observed in the coure Of the year. The
children, too, came to school regularly,
clean and tidy. Now John waited to see
me again. =. HE.u
SO lie came into the library (it was on
Saturday evening", in bis wOrking.drcos-
but looking clean and trim, and certainly
not smelling Of either beer or stale tobac-
CO, as many do ut that season and with
his honest face radiant with smile, which
was almost u broad grin.
III thought you'd excuse me, sir, but |
wanted to show you something" he said
and SO saying, handed me bis savings.bank
book. ,.r
"Fve pounds thirteen shillings and six.
pence ~ | exclaimed "Wcll donem |.
knew all the debts had been paid besides.
"lt shall be ten more next year, please
God" he rrjoined proudly. Then, holding
out bis hand rs the tears stood in his eyes,
hO said, "God bless you, sir'' And | re.
piled with all my heart, and you, too
"John p and I think my own eyes wers
little dimmed.
John went on we'll. He had to endure,
Of course, good deal Of chatting from his
shopmates, but he took 1t for tho most part
very quietly, as was his way and weel; by
week bis account at the Savings Bank the
Postoflice Savings Bank ii was-grew
larger. lie was fairly working his way up
to better position, and might at no distant
period have looked to be foreman, when
suddenly, Unexpectedly, as great blows do
come upon us, he and many Others were
struck to the ground by an event which
was deemed important enough to have
newspaper paragraph to itself.
ave regret to hear that tile large build.
ing contractors, Messrs. Combs and Plank,
have al last stsuccumbed TO apressure which
has already fallen so heavily on many
smaller houses. They stopped payment
only yesterday afternoon, and the principal
works in - street are now closed.
More than 400 0men arc thus at once thrown
out Of work, to add to the already great
distress Of the district, and to the daily
increasing number demanding parish relief.
The liabilities Of the firm are, we hear, not
less then El50,000; probably more.n
Johns improved character and position
in the workscould be no protection against
such an event rs this; and in the stigma.
tion Of trade which was then prevailing, in
consequence Of the collapse OF SO many
seemingly prosperous speeulations, there
was little chance for even the best men :
find employment. John was therefore
again "0ut Of work. We were very good
friends now, and SO when heard OF the
sad affair, 1 made up my mind to go at
once and see him. .l''rT L
lie stood up to greet Inc rs | entered
his house, and held out his hand "Trouble
again, sir" be said, "aS | suppose you've
heard. But anyhow you are welcome.
Bring chair, Bcsse. Please sit down
bit, sir. We've been talking rs I'd better
90 and see your
"And Pm first, you sce,n replied, ns
cheerfully as possible, for it was a sad
affair. But knew II would not help to
be grieyous over 1t. 81 am very sorry, in.
deed, Yates" | said. "What is to be
doncl" r-.I IN
"Ah there II il, sir,n replied he. aim
sure I'd sweep the streets, or bronx stones,
or anything, sooner than be outoi work for
long. But where's the work to he found
1t breaks o mans heart Almost to be- lie
was obliged to stop here and make believe
TO put the fire to rights-"to be shaving
hard to get on aud put by bit, and then
to be flung like this"
put my hand on his shoulder, and said,
"You remember coming to mellow long
was It IA year ago and more--when you
were out Of work before7n I'D.
81 do, sir,n he said with emphasis, at
was one of the best days work as ever |
did,
81 am glad to hear it," | answered.
"Now want you to fulfill the promise Of
that time. You have done well, nobly,
hitherto. Never despairW
"Thats what says" struck in bis wife,
who had been busy about some household
matters before, but now came and took her
scat by his side with the baby on her lap.
"It'll never do to go back, and we must
hope for better times; hope, and hope
ever | says a.
give her look and nod orcneourNgc-
ment, and then turning again to John !
said: ..f.. .. ..
aJohn there was once One who knew a
working mans lot, and his trinls and
temptations, too. lie knows yours, and is
willing to help you. Don't forget Him.
,InlIn bowed HE henl. hut made no