The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-10-12

4 'Whaesthe- matter John Smith
said calm, deep voice, and, in steI
, ped Mr.. Holdhard, raising his hat yer
, politely TO my missus. "May !. com
IMP t, - = -''i..' p
:, Certainly, sir,' said my wife. VIII
didn't know who he was. 4
Isn't the money all right, SIR
said. Don't say it isn't all right, sir.
i oh yes, that's all right. I've got
in my pocket ;'and he spoke that pleas
ant couldn't have believed it posi-
BILE. : .. 80 Rso'4a s7a'i
! Now, John, he said, placing his ha
on the table, and drawing off his GLOW
es, shake hands,
john, said he, you're an honest
manly fellow, and I respect you.'
Thank you. SIR .e
MRS. Smith, said he, 'that hamper
contains a few Christmas presents.
hope you'll like. them, and enjoy them.
Thank you kindly, SIR
81 couldn't think OF everything, so
I've brought you all Johns shillings-
there they are, the very same ones he
paid to me you1llike them all the
better for that, TIT be bound you wo.
men are such silly creatures,' shaking
his head and smiling oil tho while.
| lwss dumfounded.a IA i could only
stare in a stupid and bewildered man.
ner. Was this the man of whom
had such hard thonghts?
john he said, you think me very
hard man,
Yes sir.' t.es ~
He smiled. Quite right so am,
in business-yours was . business mat
ter. Now, John, I've noticed that
your health has been failing lately. /
have seen your employer. He speaks
well Of you; besides, i have judged
you for myselt. Call at my office in
the city some morning next week.
Good night. A merry Christmas.'
He was gone. 1t seems like dream.
We conld scarcely believe that we had
not been dreaming. However, there
was the package, and the silver, to the
amount of fve.pounds. The children
had heard the unusual commotion, and
there they were in their night-gowns
bless their little hearts-helping to un-
do the package. While this was be-
ing done their delight, and, indeed,
ours, knew no bounds. There were
warm shawls, winter blankets, stuffs
for gowns, toys of all sorts, and some
books with beautiful pictures. adi !
You may be sure we had good
dinner on Christmas day. THE time
my mate was not invited. 1 did not
like to hurt his feelings by paradinq
my good fortune, and besides, his fail.
ing for drink was getting worse every
day. So we had very happy, quiet
time, and our hearts went up in graft
tude and thankfulness for the good
that we enjoyed. i7''''' 81
A few mornings afterward I called,
by leave of my employer, at the office
Of Mr.. Holdhard. There he seemed
Just as hard and stern a. had previ-
ously found him. He asked me a few
short, sharp questions, and at length
II was settled that I should enter his
employment, aud on very good terms
100. He had he said, q very large
business, and te had an opening for
! trustworthy man. He thought II
would suit. and he hoped it would be
% the benefit Of both. - gf.to- -aag /
Without more words 1 entered his
'ervice. have been with him sever.
Il years, and hope to end my days
With him.
don't know whether I have sue.
eeded in making this little narrative
n very humble life quite clear or
whether the story was worth telling.
can, for myself, and hope you can,
'ather lesson from it. and that is
hat 1t is quite easy for An honest man
0 make mistake, but that it 10 also
'ossible to make things come right if
on have the will aud the courage to ,
ace your difficulties. sa a-ae s.aa