Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-05-22
MIscElLAME Gus.
TRUE WORTH OF THE MAN.


..Ss ENRY, you mustn't let the desire TO
e save money lead you to be neglectful of
personal appearance" -.4-
The boy-or the young man-he was six
teen-looked up from the desk as he heard
the words and felt hand upon his shoulder.
His face flushed, his lip quiyered. and a tear
came very near escaping. He was hand
some youth with clear, fresh, healthful
complexion, and face and form indicative of
force and power.
Jacob Van Worst was a merchant-oue
of the old school, upright, truthful, and con-
scientious. Henry seaton had been recon-
mended to him over year before by an up
river clergyman, with whom he had been
friends from boyhood. The lad had been
taken into the counting house. first as errand.
boy, but, very soon, his knowledge of figures,
and his ready command of tho pen, having
become known, he was promoted to desk to
assist one of the dispatch clerks.
"Mr. Van Vorst," Henry said, his voice
not quito steady, 81 trust may never love
money we'll enough to sacrifice to i, anything
of greater worth"
There was manliness in the answer, and
manliness in the bright face that looked up
into his own, yet the merchant spoke the
words which had formed themselves upon his
lips:
Surely. Henry, pay you enough to en-
able you to clothe yourself respectfully, be-
sides paying your board"
"Yes, sir. 1 will get better clothes next
week"
A few minutes later the merchant looked
up from his paper, and saw tears upon the
cheek of his youthful clerk. He could not
quite understand it, but he asked no ques.
tions.
month after this Mr.. Van Worst had
business up the river, and the business called
him to Clarkstown. While there he heard
of Mrs. Seaton, and he made it in his way
to call upon her. He found her in a very
small, but very neat, cottage, with an invalid
daughter She was widow with sweet,
pensive face, mild>eyed aud intellectual. The
and in course of conversation he let IL drop
that he was acquainted with q certain Henry
Seaton in New York.
..You know the boy?" said Mrs. Seaton,
with warmth and eagerness.
"Yes, ma'am. l have much business in
the place where he is employed"
t'Theu, cir, you know one of the best sons
that ever gladdened mothers heart. From
the day of his birth TO the present time he
never willingly gave me pain or grief, and
now l should be poor indeed but for him.
His pay cannot be large, but he denies him
self all luxury, aud many comforts, for my
sake. It is his helping hand, and his en-
during love, that gives brightness to my life"
And now the merchant knew why he had
seen those tears upon his clerks cheeks. He
was glad that he had found the widowed
mother. .
On the first of the following January
Henry Seaton was promoted to the post OF
assistant book keeper, and his salary almost
doubled. He could not quite understand this
sudden Advancement, and as he wondered,
Mr.. Van Worst said to him:
"Hesry. have given you this position
because know you are qualified for it, and
because I have faith in you. hope the
salary is satisfactory"
eyes, sir, but your faith and trust give me
deeper joy" His eyes moistened as he spoke.
Between two and three years passed and,
at the age of twenty, Henry Seaton was ele-
waited to the post of chief book>keeper and
confidential clerk. This brought him often
in the evening to the merchants dwelling,
where be met Isabel Van Worst, his employ
er's daughter and Only child-a girl who had
seen eighteen summers-a bright beautiful
being, with ripping sunshine upon her fair
face, and q wealth of truth and love in her
heart.
Ono evening the merchant asked Henry
if he could play chess.
He could not.
'sI think you would make an excellent
player. Isabel shall teach you, and then
you shall try your skill with me-"
Was it utterly possible ths. Jacob Van
Vors. was utterly blind It may have been
very pleasant for him thus to entertain and
educate chess-conbatsnt, but it was agony
for Henry Seaton. How could he help fall
ing in love with his beautiful teacher
And more still: His perceptions were keen
enough to detect that Isabel returned his love.
And why should she not
One day young gentleman, very fash
iOuably, and even exquisitely dressed, called
at the store, and was granted an interview
with the merchant in his private Office
Seaton, who was engaged with foreign cor
respondence, retired
The visitor remsined fifteen minutes. or
IL