Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-10-02
That's better than

lOn6ng"
"Heavensp cried Phillip Lewis
with a start, "here comes Mr.. Bever
Ily and Florence. Go and hide your
self. Acton, before they see you"
| But the young laborer did not
bulge an inch. Just then the boss
called out to "hoist awayp and George
applied himself 10 the work.
Meantime, Mr.. Beverly and his
daughter came upon the scene once
more to look upon the ruins of the
grand storehouse. Lewis and Bug
bee bowed respectfully, and then
drew aside in modification that one
OF their fraternity should be found
in so meniaf position, for 1t was
evident that both father and daugh-
ter had recognized the youth in the
gsrb and CRIME oftoil, as the former
clerk.
"Hallo" cried Mr.. Beverly, as soon
as he was sure that his eyes had not
deceived him. lis this you, George
Acton?"
"Yes, sir,' replied our hero. His
face was flushed, but it was with
healthful LABOR, and not with shame;
The steady brightness of his eye
showed that.
care YOU regularly hired?"
ayes, sir. The contractor gave
me this berth until we can find bet
ter one"
What does he pay your"
"Just the same as he pays the
others-two dollars day; but earn
a dollar extra in the evening by keep
ing his accounts. It's better than
nothing, sir. l tried to ind clerk
ship but there we're at least dozen
applicants for every vacant place.
Of course, I couldn't starve; and
while l have health and strength |
will neither beg nor run in debt. /
was brought up to work, you know,
aud thank beayen, lam neither
afraid of it, nor do [ feel above It,
rHoist awayr shouted the master;
and George Action applied himself
again to his work.
Mr. Beverly went over and talked
to the contractor, and from the fact
they looked several times toward the
windlass where the young clerk was
at work, it was reasonable to suppose
that their conversation was IN regard
to him.
by and by, Mr.. Beverly came out
from amid the ruins, and having
drawn the arm of his daughter with
in his own, and bowed to his former
clerks, he departed. He did not
bow an adieu to young Acton, for
Just then the laborcr was busy at his
wors.
Aad Phillip Lewis and Clarence
Bugbee walked away talking of their
pity for poor Action.
"Mercy!" cried the former, 81
would not have been in his place
when Florence Beverly came upon
the scene for all the money in Boston ,
at was certainly humilia;iog,"
asserted the other. But" he added
reGectively, Acton never was really
high-toned. | guess his family is
low bred, anyway."
And in this conclusion both young
men fully agreed; and they further
agreed that they should not recog-
uize Action as an acquaintance.
A week later Lewis and Bugbee
hsd occasion to CO at the Office
where Mr. Beverly had established
his business headquarters and we're
not little surprised to see George
Acton seated at the desk of the con-
Gdential clerk and correspondent.
1t was a private room with q glass
door, which Acton occupied, and they
did not 20 10 there, but they ven
tured 20 ask one of the ok-keepers
If Acton hGi boon permanently en-
ployed
II don't know about that" replied
the book keeper. Il only know that
MIR, Beverly seems to have taken a
sudden and strong liking for the
young man-that he eutrusts him
with his correspondence, and has
given him a home beneath his own
roof
Another day csme-a day when
the sleighing was excellent, and when
the merry sleigh bells we're jingling
far apd near. Through the kindness
of friend, Lewis and Bugbes had
secured good team for the afternoon
they drove out upon one OF the
Brighton roads. Out in the country
they met the supurb double cutter
of Mr.. Beverly, drawn BY pair OF
rattliDg bsys. Uupou the front seat
sat the merchant and his wife, and
upon the back seat, smiling and
chatting with all the charms and
grace Of friends who had given to
each other the fullest trust and con-
fdeuce, sat George Acton and Flor
ence Beverlyl
What did it mean?
If Phillip Lewis and Clarence bug
bee are not stupid beyond belief they
must ere this have solved the prob
lem; and may the solution give then
new and eRlarged ideas of life and it
duties