Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-12-20


sonably. Was that sum all he asked
you TO borlow:''
81 know two at least, who are poorer
by couple of thousands by his alb
sence."
But Mr.. Everett was excited. For
half an hour after the individual had
left, who had communicated this un-
pleasant piece ofnews, the broker walk
cd the floor of his Office with compress
ed lips, u lowering brow and most un-
happy feelings. The two thousand dol
lars gain In no way balanced In his
mind the three hundred lost. The
pleasure created by the one, had not
penetrated deep enough TO escape oblit-
Grafton by the other.
OF all this,e eaie boy with the dark sad
eyes had taken duick. cognizance. And
he compfehentied all. Scarcely mo-
nlent bad his glance been removed from
the. .countenance or form OF Mr.. Ever
EFT, while the later walked with uneasy
steps the floor of his office.
AS the afterneon swaned, the broker
mind grew calmer. The first excite-
ment, produced by the loss, passed
away but it left sense Of depression
and disappointment that completely
-
Iutent as had been the Lads obsersa-
tion of his employer during all this
time. it 10 little remarkable that Mr..
Everett had not once been conscious Of
the fact that the boys eyes were steadi-
ly upon him. y In fact, he had been, as
was usually the case, too much absorb
ed In things concerning himself, to no
tice what was peculiar to another, un-
less the popularity were one readily
used to his own advantage.
"John," said Mr.. Everett turning
suddenly to the boy, and encouutering
his large earnest eyes, "take this note
around to Mr.. Legrand." zAse :.
John sprang Co DO iiis bidding; re
ceived the note. and was off with I'M.
usual feetness. But the door which
closed upon his form Did not shut oul
the expression of his sober face and hu-
mid glance from the vision of Mr.. Ever
EFT. In fact, from some cause tears hae
sprung to the eyes OF the musing boy a
the moment he was called upon TO
render a service; and, quicker than
usual though his motions were, he hat
failed to conceal them. .iz'f ''Ff .
A new train of thought now entered
the brokers' mind. This child OF hi
old friend had been taken into his off1c
| from kind of charitable feeling
though OF very low vitality. He pal,
him a couple of dollars week, an,
thought little more about him or hi
widowed mother. He had too man,
| important interests of his own at stak
! to have his mind turned aside for q til
| ding matter like this. But now, as tn
| image of that sad face-for it was usual
tly sad at the moment when Mr.. Everett
| looked Suddenly towards the boy-lin
gered in his mind, growing every mo
ment more distinct and more touchingl
beautiful, many considerations of dut
and shuniahity were 1exeited.z He re
membered his old friend, and the pleas
ant, hours they had spent together, 1
I years long since passed, ere generou
feelings had hardened into ice, or give
place to an all-peryading seifishness. ii
remembered, toe, the beautiful girl hi
friend had married, and how proudl
that friend presented her to their littl
world as his bride. The lad had he
large, dark, spiritual eyes--oniy stfl
light Of Joy had failed therefrom, givin
lpiace to strange sadness. =
! All this was now present to the min
of Mr.. Everett, and though he triet
once or twice, during the boys absence
| TO ohliterate these recoiiections, he ws
50 How is your mother, john" kindl
asked the broker, when the lad returne
from his errand. sE
The question was so unexpected tn:
1t confused him. Sans ~.
"She's weli--thank yon, sir. No
not very well, either-thank you, sir. ,
And the doy's face flushed, and b
epes suffused. 1as.Fss-
Everett spoke win xiisdaess, and in in
tone of intsrestss 8. Not sick. / hope ~
NO, sir; nGsvery sick. But"
"But what ,SJohn?' said Mr.. Evere
encouragingly.
s.She's in trouble, !" half stammere
the boy, while the color deepened on h
face. sssss
! 7a"Ah, indeed? I'm sorry for tina
What's the trouble, John ?'
The tears, which John had been vaii
ly striving to repress,- now gnshed ovt
/! his face, and with boyish shame fc
his weakness, he turned away al
struggled for time with his overma
tering feelings.
Mr.. Everett was no little moved by
unexpected an exhibition. He waitel
with 4 newborn consideration. for Il
boy. not unmingled with respect, UNI
a measure of calmness was restored.
ssJohn,'' he said, s.if your mother
in trouble, it may be in my powor
relieve her,
; $50, sir" exclaimed the lad eagerl
) coming up Mr.. Everett, and, in the TO
!. getfulness of the moment, laying h
small hand upon that OF his employ
ssif you will, You can"
Il Hard indeed would have been Il
heart that could have withstood the a
, pealing eyes lifted by John Levering
! the face of Mr.. Everitt. But Mr.. Eve
, EFT had not u hard heart. Love of Sc
I land the world had encrusted iG with Il
! difference towards others: but the cru
: was now broken through.
fsSpeak freely, my good lad, }" said
/ kindly. "Teii me Of your mothe
| What is her trouble?" a
i "we are very poor SIR" Tremulo
, and mournful was the boys voice. .'AI
/ mother isn't web. She does all she cal
ii and smy'wages help little. But, the
: are three of us children; and am Il
! eldest None of the rest can earn an
: thing Mother couldn't help gettir
Y behind il, the rent, sir, because 81
I hadn't the money to pay it with. Til
o morning, the man who owns the h0u.
where we live, came for some none
/. and when mother told him she III
v none, he got, o so angry, and fr:ghte
!. led US all. lie said that II the rent W
e not paid by Tomorrow, he'd turn us
!. went 70 bed sick.''
{ ...How much does your mother o'
the man ~ asked Mr.. Everett.
4 L - . o.