The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-07-31

the good graces of my master. Mystipend
was increased from one to two, three, four
and then to six shillings week, and had
daily lessons from competent tutor, in
| ourprivate room over the shop.
When was sixteen-my mother had
taught me to remember my birth -day-Mr.
DarraGh called me into his private office,
gave me twenty dollar gold piece, and
told me that from that day henceforth
was no longer to be his errand boy.
lie said this in half cold, half laughing
way, but with such look of meaning, that
my heart was in my throat in moment,
my eyes ran over with tears, and sobbed
out
go ! Mr.. Darragh, what have done that
[ must leave you ?''
''WhO said that you had done anything?
Can't free man dismiss his errand boy
without beng catechised?''
Certainly he can,'' 1 replied, 'Ebut
always tried to please you, and 1 don't
want to quit your service"
''WhO said you was to quit my service
l discharge you as my errand boy at six
shillings week and employ you as my
chief clerk at sixteen shillings, board,
clothes and washing thrown in, SO long as
you are worthy my confidence, with
chance of promotion. Now go and dress
yourself and take a holiday, and waste no
words in thanks and nonsense
With that he kindly took my hand and
dismissed me. I strolled about town the
whole day walked up Broadway till l
breathed tho country air, where Stewards
great marble store now stands, and chased
the butterflies in the fields, where the prim
lawns of Union Square are now guarded
by the metropolitan police.
regarded myself as the happiest boy in
New York and on the threshold of fortHne
Then l wandered down town into the hum
and hustle of business, and aimlessly bro't
up at Castle Garden. a number of emi-
grants were landing, and among them a
fair-haired, blue-eyed, handsome little mai
den of twelve or thereabouts, plainly and
poorly clad, who was weeping as if her
heart would break.
Ipitied her, and kindly inquired of her
the cause of her grief.
'<Both of my parents died at sea- she
replied, ''and am alone and in a strange
world, with no enc to care for or take care
of me-
''But will take caro- of you,'' replied,
impulEively.
A look of hope came into her face and
eyes as she asked, beseechinGly;
''WM you take mo TO your mother and
let me live with her?''
81 have no mother or living kindred that
l know of
Her eyes fell and the bright sunshine of
hope faded from her face, ard she fell to
weeping again.
took her by the hand and told her my
exact situation, assuring her that my mas
ter would welcome her to our happy little
home. Her rough fellow passengers seemed
willing and anxious enough to get rid of
her, and it was not difficult to persuade her
to go with me.
felt assured that she would meet with
{. warm reception from Mr.. Darragh, and
upon the strength of this assurance paint
ed some very highly wrought pictures as
we made our way up Broadway.
But my own dreams ana those l had in
spired in her own sorrow-sore bosom were
doomed to a rude awakening. Mr.. Dar-
ragh frowned, and stamped, and declared
that his house was not an almahouse, and
that had presumed entirely too much IN
bringing her to him for protection.
1 begged his pardon for what had done,
and pointed out how very like our situa-
tions had been, and that was only follow
inp his own kind example. But still he
was not satisfied to fulfil the promises l
had made to the little stranger.
Finally he consented to let her remain
: until place could be found for her.
| She told her story-a very brief one.
| Her name was Amelia Vanderson. She
was native of Manchester, England, but
of Flemish ancestry. Bridget McNary
soon fell in love with little Amelia, and by
/ the end of the week, Mr.. Darragh, to my
great delight, dropped the subject OF seek
/ ing place for her.
She was shy and timid, but so frank and
! copfding that she soon became the favor
! ito of the neighborhuod, and when she in
sisted on tending shop to earn her hvln9'
Mr.. Darragh, though pretending to remon-
strate. was secretly pleased, and let her
have her own way Her pretty face and
winning ways brought many new custom
e,-s and retained old ones, who were not
aIwa,s inclined to excuse the rough man
ners that Mr.. Darragh now and then IN
dulged in when little iritated'
But with all his faults Amelia ana
agreed he was the purest and best man
in the world. lie was father and more
too.
Our business increased, aud our STORE
room was enlarged. and show windows
we're placed in the front, gaudy with low
ers and fruits and sweetmea5s. BIZ gar
ragh was not selfish, and private tu'oiS
were employed to perfect Amelia s educa-
ton, which all could see had been careful
ly looked after.
Her parents had been wealthy, she sald'
but met with Teverses, and started as steer