Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-03-01

you once more"
''No dare not 90 to him.
''Bus listen; I heard Mr.. Williams say
with his own lips that he would help you j
! he could that he would give his hand
you would only help YOURSELF
'Did he say that 2 uttered Charles ca
gerly.
Gle did. And now, Charles Aubrey, b.
assured that you have not lost everything
Let people know that you mean to rise and
be man, and all whose friendship is worth
having will give you their hands. Go te
Amos Williams first
II will CO."
''Then give me sixpence."
Amos Williams stood at the great desk
in his cornting-room, and he was alone
| W bile he stood thus, zaasting up column Of
figures upon page of enc Of the ledgers,
the door was opened, and Charles Aubrey
entered. He was yet pale and haggard,
and looked as he did when we saw him two
hours ago. The merchant started back
with an utterance Of pain and surprise as be
recognized in the miserable form before him
the once happy and beloved youth whom he
had delighted to honor 54
"Charles. he uttered, as soon as he could
command his speech, why have you come
here ?"
mir Williams" said the youth in a
choking voice, Il have come to-to-tell
you that my course of wickedness is run
and from this moment I ANA
I Here he stopped. TTe hesitated mo-
ment, and then his feelings overcame him
and bowling his head hs burst into tears, and
sobs, loud and deep, broke from his lips
The merchant was deeply affected and with
the warm tears gathering thickly il his own
eyes, he started forward and placed his hand
upon the youths head.
"Chares,'' he uttered, in tremulous,
eager voice, have you resolved to be a
man r.
with Gods help. will be a man
again p was the youths reply.
us your money all gomez
Eyes, sir. This morning I had one soli-
tary sixpence left and that gave to poor
old woman who babe me to come herc''
cay. know her. She is an unfortu-
nate creature, and has suffered much /
babe her if she seen you, and you were cast
down and repentant," to send you here,
for heard that yoa were at the foot Of the
preclpice. Now if you are determined, you
shall not want for help"
In eager, broken, sobbing, sentences,
Charles poured out his thanks, and stated
the resolution be had taken.
card now," said Mr.. Williams, after
the matter had been talked over some, ''we
must find a place where you can recruit
your strength little before you try to work
There is my brother who owns farm out in
M He would be glad to have you
come efhere and stop awhile; and when
you Y NV recover your wasted strength
you shall have g place here
AT first the youth refused to accept SO
much, for he knew his unworthiness, but
the merchant simply answered him:
"You can pay me for all this if you
choose, 50 you need not be delicate about it;
and as for your nworthiness-when the
lost ones Of earth are not worth redeemipg,
then some other standard Of worth must be
regarded than that simple one which, Jesus
of Nazareth gave to his followers :"
So it was settled that Charles should 90
out into the country and remain awhile
He found Mr.. Williams, the brother, ready
and happy to receive him, aud there the
son began to regain his health and spirits
In two weeks he was strong as ever, and at
the end of a month the marks of dissipation
had all left his face. Then he returned to
town and entered the store. Amos Will
lams gave him a lucrative station, and babe
him remember nothing Of the past, save the
one great lesson he had learned
CHARLES" be said, do yoH know the
widow Swan 2
eyes, sir.''
"Well have engaged board for you there
l hope the arrangement will sui. you.''
Eyes, sir returned the youth, with emo.
tim"
From that time Charles Aubrey went on
nobly and trnly in the path he had marked
out. As soon as he agaiu made his appear
ance in prosperity, bis cid companions
sought his company once more, but be re.
pulsed them with a stern frmness that left
them no hopes Yet for month he was
beset with temptations in every shape, but
he hesitated not once. His mind was made
up, and he made but one answer to all invi-
tations to depart from bis courss At
length these temptations became less fire..
quent, and finally he was left tic pursue his
own course.
Little did Charles Aubrey know how
closely he had been watched. Mr. Will
liams knew his every movement, even to his
prayers, which he poured forth in the priv
acy of his own department. Thus passed
away three months, and at the end of that
time Mr. Williams called the yonng man
into the counting.room one evening, liter
the rest of the people had gone.
"Well, Charles" the merchant com.
mencad, how would you lika to change your
boarding Place -
There was something in the look and tone
of the man as he spoke these words that
made the youth start. The blood rushed
to his face, and anon he turned pale.
IF you would like,'' the merchant re-
sumed in the same low, strange toue, "you
may come and board with mo- I will not
deceive you Charles. Until could know
that you would entirely reform, dared not
( carry you to my house. But am satisfied
now. l have not doubted you, but l would
prove you. And now, if you please, you
may inform Mrs. Swan that you will board
with her no more. She will not be disap.
pointed, for baye spoken, with her on the
subject
With these words Mr. Williams left the
store. and as soon as Charles could recover
from the strange emotions that had almost
overpowered him, he called for the porter to
come and lock up, and then, haying lock ed
| thn crroat CO. "a knolr h;n donnrt,,.o