The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-04-27

boys departure. "What are you going
to do with Willie ?" he demanded, as
Simpson came slowly back.
"Give him liberal education" /" said
Simpson, boldly, laying hand on the
shoulder of the boy, who shrunk back
and looked helplessly at Allan.
Now, Simpson," Allan said, and he
tried to say it with due calmness, if
you try to take that boy outside this
Office on any such errand, Pll go at that
yery moment and report you to Mr..
Clayton. Pll do it, Simpson, just SO sure
as that's your name."
The other WINGED.
suppose that's SAMPLE of your
Christian spirit" he said.
That's just it" returned Allan, to
help those who can't help themselves.
"And to tell tales" muttered Simp-
son.
But the others saw the tide was turned.
Come ahead, Joe," said Wendoyer.
" You can't do anything with Bleecker; !"
and realizing the fact, Simpson moved
sulkily away. -
Just then one of the firm sent Willie
out in another direction, and Allan had
no chance for word with the boy as he
wished. But later in the afternoon,
when the others had gone home and he
was still busy over his cash-book, he
heard astep at his side, and looking up
saw the pale, child-like face looking into
his.
Well, Willie" he said encouragingly.
There were tears in the boys eyes, and
his voice was anything but firm.
81 was glad you said what you did,
Mr.. :Bleecker," he began.
Allan flushed q little as he asked:
"Did it help you any, Williep
1t made me feel there was some use
in trying"
Allan could see how hard it was for the
boy to get over his timidity.
Haven't you tried before Willie p
he asked.
"Yes, l have, Mr.. Bleecker, real hard
but there wasn't anybody to help, and
they made me go with them, sir, and
had to give up. / always thought you
were better than the rest of them, y
looking frankly at Allan, "but-I didn't
dare say anything to you about it. Then
to-day when they were running you,
was SO afraid it might perhaps be true, u
and his gaze seemed to ask further con
frmatien.
"There wasn't syllable of it true
Willie," ths young man said,. emphati-
cally; "only Pm very sorry Pve been SC
neglectful all the while. But if can
help you now with these fellows I'll do
it; and, perhaps, Willie, we can both dc
something to help them," and as Willie
leaned confdentially over the desk fol
some time longer, happier and brighter
than he had been for many week, Allan
Bleecker was glad to know that he him
self had not that day hid his light alto
gether under bushel.
And when Willie had finally gone,
Murray Rutgers, who had been mean.
while lowering uneasily around, came uI
in hesitating way, and said:
"Of course, Bleecker, none Of u;
believed that trash about your drink
ing.n
Il didn't imagine that you did, said
Allan, quietly.
"And what you said let the fellows
know just where you Stood" went on
Jack. warmly.
"That's just what wanted" said
Allan, pausing in an interval of calcula-
ton.
Sand / guess you stand in the right
place." emphatically, as he moved away.
And then tor at least ten minutes, while
the column of figures remained un.
touched, Allan sat thinking over the
days history.
Well, not long afterward, though
Allan himself never breathed word Of
it, the whole of that history came to Mr.,
Coleridge's knowledge. For Willie
Plumtree, in an agony of shame and re
morse and better purpose, told it all to
his mother that night, and she carried il
the next day with thankful heart tc
Doctor Eastwick, and he brought il
PROMPTLY and gladly to Mr.. Coleridge
And you may imagine with what joy the
teacher learned how Allan Bleecker had
set his candle on candlestick, and wal
giving light to all within the house.