The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-08-09

was called upon TO renoeT service
and, though his motions we're quicker
than usual, he had failed to conceal
them.
A new train of thought now enter
ed the brokers' mind. This child of
his old friend had been taken into his
Office from a kind of charitable feel
ing-though of very low. vitality. He
paid him three dollars a week, and
thought little more about him, or his
widowed mother. He had too many
important interests of his own at stake,
TO have his mind turned aside for
trifing matter like this. But, now, as
the image Of that sad face-for it was
unusually sad at the moment when
Mr.. Everett looked suddenly toward
the boy-lingered in his mind, grow
ing every moment more distinct, and
more touchingly beautiful, many con-
siderations Of duty and humanity
were excited. He remembered his old
friend, and the pleasant hours they
had spent together, in years long since
passed, ere generous feelings had hard
ened into ice, or given place to an all
pervading selishness. He remember
ed, too, the beautiful girl his friend
had married, and how proudly that
friend presented her, to their little
world, as his bride. The lad had her
large, dark, spiritual eyes-only the
light of Joy had faded therefrom, Civ
ing place to strange sadness.
All this was now present to the
mind of Mr.. Everett, and though he
tried, once or twice, during the boys
absence, to obliterate these recollec-
tions, he was unable to do so.
"How is your mother, John Z" kind
/ y asked the broker, when the lad re.
! turned from his errand.
The question was so unexpected,
that it confused him.
"She's well-thank you, sir. No
not very well, either-thank you, sir"
And the boys face flushed, and his
eyes sufused.
"Not very we'll, you say?" Mr.. Ev-
erett spoke, with kindness, and in a
tone Of interest. "Not sick, I hope?"
"No, sir; not very sick. But"
"But whist, John ?" said Mr.. Everett,
encouragingly.
'She's in trouble" half stammered
the boy, while the color deepened on
his face.
"Ah, indeed? I'm sorry for that.
What is the trouble, John?"
The tears, which John had been
vainly striving to repress, now gushed
over his face, and, with boyish shame
for the weakness, he turned away, and
struggled for time, with his o'ermas-
tering feelings.
Mr.. Everett was no little moved
by so unexpected an exhibition. He
waited, with newborn consideration
for the boy, not unmingled with re-
spect, until a measure of calmness was
restored.
! "Johu," he then said, eff your mo.
ther is in trouble, it may be in my
power TO relieve her,"
"Oh, sir" exclaimed the lad, eager
ly, coming up to Mr.. Everett, and, in
the forgetfulness of the moment, lay
ing his small hand upon that of his
employer, eff you will, you can."
Hard, indeed, would have been the
heart, that coald have withstood the
appealing eyes lifted by John Lever
ing to the face of Mr.. Everett. But
Mr.. Everett had not a hard heart
Love of self and the world had en-.
crusted it with Indifference toward
others; but the crust was now broken
through.
'Speak freely, my good lad" said
he, kindly. "Tell me of your mother.
What is her trouble?"
eve are very poor, sir" Tremu-
lous and mournful was the boys voice.
"And mother isn't we'll. She does all
she can and my wages help little.
But there are three Of us children, and
am the Oldest. None of the rest can
earn anything. Mother couldn't help
getting behind with the rent, sir, be-
cause she hadn't the money to pay it
with. This morning, the man who
owns the house where we live, came
for some money, and when mother
told him that she had none, he got,
OF SO angry, and frightened us all.
He said, if the rent wasn't paid by to-
morrow, he'd turn us all into the
street. Poor motherl She went to
bed sick"
Chow much does your mother owe
the man ?" asked Mr.. Everett.
80, it's a great deal, sir. I'm afraid
she'll never be able to pay it; and l
, don't know what we'll do"
"How much?"
"Tbirty dollars, sir" answered the
a lad.