Middletown transcript., 1877-09-01

e studies that were no child's task for
country-bred brains, all wakened the
) respect Of the old man. His love was
more easily won. Minnie's son, look
ing into his face with Minnie's great,
tender eyes, moved his heart to afec-
tion before the first hour of intercourse
was over; and, once given, the afec-
ton never wavered, growing stronger
with every days intercourse, till the
gnawing pain for his own boys gone
was lost in the love for the son sent to
comfort his old age.
Thanksgiving came again-the fourth
since Cyrus Ford came to Clayton
and with it came sorrow. For the
first time in his life, Simon Clayton felt
the pressure of physical pain. He had
been a model of manly strength during
the entire sixty years of his life, but
some-unworted exposure had brought
on an attack Of fever that, setting its
fangs deep in the strong frame, brought
it very nigh the grave. Cyrus had been
watching all night when Thanksgiving
Day dawned, clear and bright, though
the first fall of snow lay upon the
streets. The invalid, turning restlessly
upon the pillow, spoke Of some unfn-
ished business his illness had delayed,
and seemed to have his intellect clearer
than it had been before during his i'll
ness.
al wish you would call upon Hos
Iins this morning, Cyrus" he said. q
want him to understand about the
lease of those Grand street stores, be-
fore the last Of the month. You have
the papers ready ?"
"All ready, sir But are you well
enough for me to leave your"
"Yes. | shall feel better when that /
is settled"
1t was a relief to be out in the crisp,
cold air, after the long confinement in
close room, and Cyrus felt light
hearted in a certainty that his friend
was better. Surely this attention to
business was a good symptom, and the
fever was certainly gone. Mrs. Grey
was good nurse, and there was no
especial hurry; 50, after settling the
business with Hoskins, Cyrus came
leisurely from the office of the latter,
up Broadway. 1t was full Of holiday
seekers, many of the stores being clos
ed, and the clerks and saleswomen in
their best attire going to family gather
ings Cyrus was thinking Of the day
four years ago, when he came friend
less and lonely to the great city, when,
just before him. a girl hurrying past
with large bundle slipped upon the
frozen pavement, and fell heavily to
the ground. In moment Cyrus was
bending over her, helping her to rise
but her ankle was sprained, and she
would have fallen again but for his
arm.
"I am afraid you cannot walk" " he
said, kindly, noting with deep pity her
thin garments, her pinched features,
and the look Of pain upon her face.
II must try" she answered, STOPPING
to secure the big bundle.
aLean upon me" he said, taking the
burden from her. "You cannot" he
said, as the effort to put the injured
foot down brought an ashy paleness to
her very lips. Il will call cab"
"No, mol have no money!
Again the deathly Pallor gathered
on cheek and lips, till Cyrus lifted her
gently INTO the cab that came at his
call.
@Where shall take you ?" he asked.
ITO No. -, Pearl street"
Directing the cabman, Cyrus got
into the cab, with face almost as pale
as the one beside him. The number !
was the same his friend had mentioned
as the address of Simon CIayton's
and, looking attentively un-
der the shabby bonnet, Cyrus saw that
the face, pale and thin, was yet that Of |
a child of not more than thirteen sum-
mers. When the cab stopped before
the tall, narrow tenement house, the i
young man lifted his charge in his ]
strong arms, and, bidding her hold fast ]
to the big bundle, carried her to the I
room to which she directed him.
1t was a poor room, shabby to the {
OF shaDblness, with no roman
tic air Of poverty, but the real grind t
ing facts Of extreme penury staring the
beholder in the face. A woman, pale 8
and emaciated, was stitching upon a
sewing machine, but came forward t
trembling when Cyrus entered with the ]
child. t
'Do not be frightened" he said, {
gently; "it is only sprained ankle. l
will send you doctor, if you viii
ell me for whom he is to inquire. ~ ]
"Mrs. Cameron. 0, Dollie, child / !
are you very much hurt ?"
eMy foot aches" the child said
but the gentleman has been SO kind /