Connecticut western news., 1875-03-12

you say to h1S coming here for an hour or so every day while the works are closed ? shall not let you work while things are in the present loose condition but when we go on again you can still have your lessons in the evening""
 Ryan was highly pleased with the offer, and so was Mrs. Ryan; and even the little one laughed and crowed as if it understood all about it; and it was settled that the lessons should begin in two days from that time. MT. Collins able sense upon him of having dono his duty.
 MT. Collins, junior, found that he had rather an apt pupil than otherwise, and the way Ryan got through the rudiments of reading, writing, and arithmetic was equally astonishing to both teacher and pupil; and when Mrs. Ryan, with her own eyes," as she remarked to neigh bor, " saw Robert work out a rule of three sum, she thought she must be dreaming;'' as for his writing, she de- clared that it ''might be little large, but it was almost as good as print. ," Ryan himself was so amazed at his pro- gress that he could think of little else, and a piece of chalk in his hand was all he required to be set to work upon the nearest board, working out all sorts of arithmetical questions.
 All this of course took up time, and all that time the strike had been going on with the inevitable disastrous conse- quences--men demOralized, homes ruined, wives and families made miser- able, and the public-house the only gainer.
 So several weeks passed, and then stern necessity took many of the men away. The majority being of an in dustrious turn were tired of idleness, and went away to work elsewhere; the pickets were removed, the committee "adjourned," and only the loafers, with Morgan for leader, remained. But they had dreary time of it.: no money, and no credit, for the landlord refused to serve anything unless he saw the head of royalty stamped upon metal; so Morgan and his more devoted followers now stood outside the public-house. Even these fell away in the end-Morgan was the last to go-and then the works of Collins & Co. were opened again.
 Ryan went to work, but not as '' ''runner;;'' MT. Collins put him into the office to work out qrantities," that is, to calculate the quantity of materials re- quired for certain work, so as to enable the firm to send in estimates for con- tracts. He did little things at first, but he proved to be so correct that he was soon intrusted with more important matters. Ryan's heart was in his work, and he did his duty like the good honest fellow he surely was.
 "Ryan is a wonderful fellow," said MT. Collins to his partner about year after his first entering the office. "I seldom look over his figures now, for he never passes them to me until he feels certain that he is correct. I have only discovered one mistake in four months, and that was an unimportant one.
 "A very valuable man," replied his partner; Che belongs to the class of men who are sure to make their way in the world. Some even rise to be partners in great firms.'
 "Humph !" said MT. Collins, thought fully; !" there is no telling what time will do for such Q man,
 * * * *
 Time has ticked off ten years since the events above recorded, and we beg to introduce our readers to the final scene of this simple story-a room in the interior of well-built, substantial villa ill 8 suburb in the south of Lon don.
 Outside, the wind is bowling with sound which tells of winter, and now and then its shrill whistle through the front-door keyhole penetrates the room and causes the matron to cast troubled glances at the window. Suddenly she rises, pushes aside the blind, and looks out.
 A footstep is heard upon the doorstep, and latch key rattles in the lock.
 Then by one impulse the matron springs up, the girl puts her sewing on chair, the elder boy leaves his slate, the younger one abandons his horse, and they all dash out into the hall. where hale, hearty man, with just a sprinkling of gray hair to show that he is past his youth, is divesting himself of his great coat.
 "Hold off a minute" he said; "I'm very wet. Now then, one at time"
 His coat being off he kissed them all round, beginning with his wife, and then goes into the room, where he ex- changes his boots for slippers, and sits down by the fire. There is an evident anxiety upon the part of the mother and children to hear something, and it is equally clear that the man has some thing to impart; but he is in no hurry about it, and sits there with quiet smile upon his face waiting to be ques- toned
 "Why don't you tell us the news, Robert2" says the matron at last; "yes or no'
 "Well, then, it's yes, ," replies Robert, whose other name was Ryan; "and I'm a member of the firm of Collins X Go. ]"
 Upon this there is great commotion, the children clleer as Justify as their little lungs will permit, and the matron gets up and fdgets about for moment in an undecided manner; then sits down and begins to cry.
 "Come, Polly, this won't de-" says Robert; "you ought to be pleased" /"
 "So I am, Robert, and these are tears of joy. Who, ten years ago, would have believed this 2"
 eff had never been made partner I should have rested content" Robert replies. Collins Ss Go. have treated me very handsomely; for many years they have paid me we'll; but as such good fortune has fallen to my lot, I say God be thanked for all His past and present mercies." /"
 Amen" responds his wife, and then there is a minutes silence. "It's rather odd," continues Robert, "that I should tonight meet the man to ; whom I owe all this.
 "Who is he ?" asked his wife, won l; deringly.
 7 "Morgan-it was his attempt to ruin 7 me that by Gods merciful providence , was overruled to bring about this pros l perity to us. I met him down the street by the works, standing close to the wall to keep off the wind and snow. He had scarcely rag to his back, and [ for all thn crn0d tho hita If hnnta ,,,,n,,