The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1873-01-09

81 rkyL ritNr

r4lF toward hiA h1tA&t hituattu a4EaN@t ~
tlle extreme eul OF tho road.
John Gentry was the son q a deceased
/ merchant who died insolvent. Ills moth
er bssng wholly dependent upon him for
support. . former friend Of his father,
I Nhen in 3 charitable humor, had taken
bin into his oslploy, where for Eve years,
al . salary Of three hundred dollars the
4 Young man had toilcd uncomplaiuingy
from sjx iu the morning until eight or
nine O'Clock ia the evening", IN order 10
E provide bic mother the bsps nccessaries
sf life Mrs. Gentry, whose health was
/ poor, would fam have tried her needle to
! ligasien the burden upon her son, bSt be
I poslugely forbade her doing 80, knowing
/ that lsor strength would not admit Of any
such undertaking. The poor woman
kept up a shadow Of ligbthearledness and
/ eonteutmeut when her son was present;
prayers and tears were more frequently
known to her when she was alone in her
cottage.
I Her quick ear detected the footslep Of
/ ber son as be approached tie house, aud
she quickly arose from her chair and be-
gan TO busy herself about the table which
was ready spread for supper, John
/ placed his hand upon the latch and enter
I'd.
Well, mother, be said, preierring to
( break the news Of once, rather than keep
her Ia even a momentary suspense, | have
| faileG. Dir. Sims declines to advance my
pay, aud we must still try and make three
hundred do The work Of five hundred dol
/ lars.
/ The widow would fan have stified the
sigh that escaped, but 1t passed .Ner lips
ere she was aware Of ii,
| am sorry, she replied, but we M 1s'
not complain. God knows what is bes
/ for us, my son, and let us deyoutly thank
him for that which lie bestows.
/ What have you got for supper? asked
her sou, glad to Danish the subject of
their poverty.
| have made some nice toast, she re-
piled, and a good cup of strong tea.
John fumbled in his pocket-book which
contained only a shilling.
think I'd like a little cheese, he said.
/ I'll be back in a moment, mother, and he
left the cottage.
Procuring the cheese, he was returning
when his foot struck something that
bounded before him like a ball. lie
paused and peeled into the darkness, but
could see nothing. Then recolecting that
| be bad some matches in his pocket, be
4 placed several together, an lighting them
commenced to grope along the ground.
in moment he discovered the object OF
his search, and he fairly tainted as be
grasped it. A heavy roll OF bank bills
tied with piece of red tape.
lie glanced quickly about him, and
holding the treasure tightly in his hands,
be flew wildly Into his mothers pres
ence.
Hush! he cried, looking toward the
windows, Close the shutters; be quick
mother.
The widow turned pale as she obey
ed.
What has happened, John? she asked
with faltering accent.
Nothing but what is good, mother, re-
| piled her son in a low voice, as he depos-
tied the roll of notes on the table.
Where did you obtain that money? cried
Mrs, Gentry, gasping for breath
Not so loud, mother, replied John,
found it in fhe street as returned from
the store.
1t is not ours, answered the widow
to-morrows paper will contain an adyer-
tisement for its recovery.
Doubtless, replied her sou, but there
will be a reward, mother, aud I'm enti-
tied to it, aud viii accept it, too. But
let us see what, the amount ISL and bis
fingers, accustomed to counting money,
nimbly glided over the notes.
Five thousand dollars, mother. That's
a snug sum If it only belonged TO us.
just think oft
would sooner not think of it, my son.
some person may have lost that roll Of
bills who will be plunged in despair and
ruin II II is not recovered.
John Gentry's cOuntenance grew sol
emn; he had not thought OF that.
Let ms have supper, he said.
They sat down to the table, bat not
withstanding his most persistent efforts
be could neither eat nor drink.
li's no use, mother, lie said pushing
aside bis cup aud plate It's no nse, my
appetite is all gone.
Neither the widow nor her son slept
much that night. There was sadness
on the mind Of the former that she could
not di.pel, while the latter lay wide
awake eouieeturing the amount Of re-
ward that would be offered, and wishing
for The morning to dawn that he might
procure a newspaper.
Longe ere It was light John Gentry had
lcil his bed and was speeding toward
newsstand. The papers had not arrived
be had to wait For a half hour he walk.
ed 20 and fro to keep himself warm. AT
last they came, and be purchased copy
Of every one issued and hurried home.
His mother was up and stirring, and BY
the light Of a candle they together pored
over the advertising columns
The widow was mistaken; there was
no advertisement for tie money. John
was disappointed aud neryoas.