The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-07-01

Goodnight, Smith" How cruel and
hard thought him no one knows; sttis
l knew the money was his, and that he had
a right TO il. So went ON steadily, never
once missing a week, till the i've pound
was all paid. Whatever happened 1 AZ
ways contrived to be on the step OF hie
door as the clock struck eight on Thursday
evenings, with the two shillings ready TO
give him. Never once did he take any
notice of me beyond what have said, and
sometimes, when have thought what q
struggle it was to part with that money
every week, and when thought he was :
rich man and could spare the money, and
that my poor two shillings q week could
make no difference to him, | thought also
very hard and bitter things about rich peo-
pie. Still, for all that, | wouldn't hass
had it otherwis my pride had been rous-
ed, and / felt that l would have died rathe<
than recsiss y favor from him. Well yo4
know how long II takes to pay hTe-Poonds
at two shillings week fifty weeks, near
ly twelve months-in fact, it was only
about a week before Christmas again, that
| called on Mr.. Holdhard with the last
two shillings, and although | knew there
was very little prospect of a Christmas din
ner this year felt more free and happy in
my mind than had done for long time.
Now that owed nothing to Mr.. Holdhard,
| felt better towards him than ever l had
before. When had given him the last
two shilhngs he said. The money is now
paid, Goodnight, Smith" "Good night,
Sir away went, feeling really
and don't mind confessing it-very down.
hearted If he had only shown the slight
est sympathy for me should have felt SO
different towards him, towards myself, to-
wards all the world.
Well, another week went on, and it
wanted but two days to Christmas there
had been sickness in the family, and We
were much depressed and low spirited. i
had been ill of late, making short tiue,
which, you know, means short wages, short
food, short everything. The fac. is the
work was too hard for me the missus
knew this, and did all she could to cheer
me up. She would say, ''Times will mend, "
and then | would say, con yes, perhaps !
shall find another tive-pound note" and
then the tears would come into her eyes,
and she would say it was all her fault for
not letting me divide the five-pounds with
my mate.
Well, we we're sitting this evening as us
ual both Of us too tired aud too low spir-
tied to talk much, when there came tre-
mendous knock at the door which woke up
all the children. Before it could be well
opened, man with heavy basket on his
shoulders blundered in, then he threw it
down with great noise, sat on it, looked
hard at me, and said
''It's not for me, | said, angrily. 'It's
not for me-take 1t away! It's for some
other John Smith there's plenty Of 'em.
| don't want to go on paying two shillings
week all my life-take it away
whats the matter, John Smith" said
a calm deep voice, and in stepped Mr..
Holdbard, raising his hat very politely to
my missus. MAY l come in ~
Certainly, Sir" said my wife, who
didn't know who he was
''Isnt the money all right, Sir n said
Don't say it isn't all right, Sir"
''Oh yes, that's all right. I've got it in
my pocket J. and he spoke that pleasant
couldn't have believed it possible.
"Now, John, he said, placing his hat
on the table, and drawing of his gloves,
''shake hands"
We shook hands.
John, said he, you're an honest,
manly fellow, and | respect you"
''Thank you, Sir"
"Mrs Smith, said he, that hamper
contains 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 you'll like them all the better for that,
| Ill be bound, you women are such silly
creatures, shaking his head and smiling
al the while.
was dumfounded | could only stare
in stupid and bewildered manner Was
this the man Of whom had had such hard
| thoughts
"John," said he, ''you think me very
hard man"
"Yes, Sir"
He smiled. "Quite right so am, in
business-yours was a business matter
Now, John I've noticed that your health
has been failing lately. | have seen your
employer. He speaks well Of you be-
sides, have judged you for myself Call
at my Office in the city some morning next
week. Goodnight A merry Christmas +"
He was gone. 1t seems like q dream
We could scarcely believe that we had not
been dreaming. However, there was the
package, and the silver, to the amount of
6ve-pounds. The children had heard the
unusual commotion, and there they were
in their night-gowns- bless their little
hearts-helping to undo the package.
While this was being 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.
You may be sure we had good dinner
on Christmas day. This time my mate
was not invited. did not like to hurt his
feelings by parading my good fortune, and,
besides, his failing for drink was getting
worse every day. So we had a very quiet,
happy time, and our hearts went up in
gratitude and thankfulness for the good
that we enjoyed.
A few mornings afterwards called, by
leave Of my employer, at the Office of Mr..
Holdhard. There he seemed Just as hard
and stern as had previously found him.
He asked me few short sharp questions,
and at length it was settled that / should
enter his employment, and on very good
terms too. He had, he said, very large
business, and he had an opening for
trustworthy man. He thought l would
suit, and he hoped it would be to the ben
eft of both.
Without more words l entered his ser
vice. have been with him several years,
and hope to end my days with him.
don't know whether | have succeeded
in making this little narrative in a very
I A,uw. Ia s. u
story was worth telling. | can, for my
self, and hope you can, gather a lesson
from it, and that is, that it is quite easy
for an honest man to make mistake, but
that it is also possible to make things come
right if you have the will and the courage
to face your difficulties.