The Osceola times., 1876-02-19

lew TtcOSnlZeu tnc true NOBILITY lnat ac-
cepted honest labor rather than an easy
dependence upon wealthy connections,
but these were few.
A week passed, when one morning, de-
livering some goods at one of the most
fashionable stores on Broadway, as he
went out, Raymond saw Bertha Haines
opening the door of her low carriage
An impulse made him start forward to
hand her out, only to draw back crimson
with confusion and drop the hand he
was lifting to raise his ha.. The sweet
musical voice he loved spoke at once;
"Please, Mr.. Thurston, help me with
this obstinate door. II will stick"
He went forward, then, with all the
easy grace of manner that had ever
marked his intercourse with ladies. The
little glovcd hand was extended to meet
his as she thanked him.
at is too bad you are engaged" she
said. al should like to borrow your
artistic eye to aid me In selecting dress
But you win come and tell me how
succeeded alone, will you not?"
"Do you really wish me to come now?"
he asked.
al do"
"Thcn will come | must say good
morning." and he lef, her with n most
courteous bow.
But while the great express wagon
ratified down the streets, Miss Ilaincs
turned away from the store she had been
entering aud n entered her carriage.
"To my fathers" she said to the
driver, and few moments later the mer-
chant looked up from his ledgcrs to see
his only child, in Eaultless walking
dress, entering the counting house.
"Another chcck!" he said, moving II
chair 10 her "IIow much this timer"
Nothing | want to talk to you.
Shut the door so these horrid men can't
hear me-"
The door was closed, and privacy in
the sanctum secured. Bertha astonished
her pat ernal relative by bursting into a
passion of weeping.
"Why, Berthap' he cried.
"Ncyer mind, papa. 1t is all o1er
now, DO you remember what you said
TO me when Raymond Thurston asked
for some employment herer"
Not exactly"
al do. You said that man brought
up as he had been would want a sine
cure; that he would never come down To
real work, and that you had no position
for fine gentlemen; that his offer to take
subordinate position and learn the
business was simply farce"
"Did say all that, Bertha"
"a IT., 49,, ,.n,, l,I \ .,,.., ,..,. IL.
missed him politely enough. But, papa,
il you thought he was really in earnest,
really meant to work for living, would
you give him chance here ~ d.
{" Yes. He has capacity, brains, and
splendid address. But he has been an
idlcr all his life."
"Hc is no idler now He is driving
an express cart"
Berthaw
"He is. met him not am hour ago.
lie thought | was going To- cut him. As
it," she added with magnificent scorn,
" | would slight an old friend in adver-
sity."
"Bless my soul! Driving an express
wagon Ned Thurston's boy Educated
at Harvard Dear me! Did you notice
whose wagon 1t was, Bertha ?n
Bertha had not noticed, and the old
gentleman hustled into his coat and
started for the office. At dinner he in
formed Bertha that Raymond had ac-
cepted place in his own large establish
ment, with frank confession of his
profound ignorance of all business affairs,
but in earnest resolution to learn well
and speedily whateverappertained to the
duties entrusted to him.
1t was not many weeks before Mr..
Haines congratulated himself upon the
acquisition of his new clerk. He told
Bertha marvellous stories of Raymond
rapid progress and the strides he was
making in his new life, knowing of the
long nights spent in poring over ledgers
and accounts, the many misgivings the
new clerk felt. The same active brain
and quick intelligence the young student
had brought to gain college honors now
stood in good stead in mastering the in
tricacics in invoices, book keeping, and
counting-house mysteries, and Raymond
gained favor rapidly in the eyes of his
employer.
1t is a question whether actual merit
would have advanced him quite 50 fire.
quently rs he was promoted, hard as he
worked, and steadily as he improved.
But Mr.. Haincs worshipped his only
child, and the burst of tears in the count
ing-house told him the secret Bertha
successfully concealed from all Others.
A self-made man himself, with an ample
fortune 10 the one Bertha already held,
he laid no stress on money in thinking
of son-in-law. Energy, industry, in
tegrity, those were the foundations of
his own fortune, and these wcye the
qualities he desired in life companion
for the child who was the hope and pride
of his old age.
The closer ties were bound that drew
Raymond Thurston to him in business,
the more he honored and esteemed the
sterling worth of the man he 80 long re-
garded Us a mere butterfly of fashion.
one of fashions spoiled children. And
learning to respect his worth he had also
learned to love the frank, bright face,
the clear, ringing voice, and the ever
ready courtesy of the young clerk. 1t
grew to bc very frequent occurrence
for him to ask the support of the strong
young arm when the streets were slip
perry, aud at the door to invite Raymond
to dine, sure of a beaming look OF pleas.
urc from Bertha.
There came day, after two long years
of faithful service, when Raymond was
informed in the privacy of his counting
house, that Junior partnership was his
if he would accept it, Some emotion
checked the utterance of Raymond