Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-12-06


lIeve that we are not forsaken of God.
After the fear and pain are over, we
are able to see the hand that led us
in safety
The man sighed heavily, bat did
not answer.
You worked for Lloyd g. Co. p
said Mr.. Archer, after little silence.
Yes
Has any one from the mill been to
see you since you were hurt ?
No. l have been left to die like a
dog. Mill owners have no souls.
4 have always heard Mr.. LLOYD
spoken of as kind hearted man.
$50 he is to his dogs, and his hors-
es, his cows and his sleep. But for
his human dependants-save the
mark / have worked faithfully in
his mill for six years crippled for
life in his service, | am turned off to
starve.'
sI'll see about that returned Mr..
Archer. rising abruptly and leaving
the house. A hurried walk brought
him in few minutes to handsome
residence, surrounded by tasteful
grounds. AS he entered the gate, he
met the owner, a sturdy looking
man, with short iron-gray hair and
beard strong but delicate mouth,
and blue eyes out of which looked
woman's tenderness.
Good evening, Mr.. Lloyd
'Oh! Mr.. Archer, / believe p
'Yes, sir.
THANK you, not for me. But there
is one sorely needing your help Ar
cher spoke in voice that trembled
with feeling, and in which Mr.. Lloyd
detected an accusing spirit.
Who is it 2 was promptly asked.
You have had in your employment
for several years workman named
Edgar ? said Mr. Archer.
yes; a faithful and true man.
What of him?' Mr.. Lloyd's voice
was full of concern, Nothing wrong
with him | hope
yes, sir; something very wrong.
He was badly injured, while in your
employment, over two months ago.
Badly injured, did you say asked
Mr.. Lloyd.
Yes, sir so badly injured that he
has not been able to do a stroke of
work since. His weak, sickly wife
has had to keep the family up ever
since; and now she has broken
down.
'And i was told nothing of this !"
exclaimed Mr.. Lloyd, his face growing
pale.
'Did you not hear of the acci-
dent % asked Mr.. Archer.
No, / must have been away when
it occurred. | am often absent on
buslness-frequently for weeks at a
time. My partners have more to do
with the mill and the workmen than |
have. But where does Edgar live ?
sit is nearly quarter of mile dis
tant.'
Are you near HIM p
yes, sir
MAY ask you to show me the
way?'
Il am going right back to his house.
My wife is there doing what she can
for Mrs. Edgar, whom we found in a
fainting fit, the result of utter exhaus-
ton from overwork and anxiety
Mr.. Lloyd scarcely spoke word as
he walked rapidly in the direction of
Edgar's cottage. On arriving, he
went in hurriedly, and meeting his
workman face to face, said with much
feeling:
my poor man! This is all wrong
| never knew word about it until
moment ago. Some one is miserably
to blame So take heart. 1t shall
ali be made right
The look of grateful surprise that
flushed into Edgar's face-the flow of
manly tears that could not be repress-
ed-revealed to Mr.. Lloyd the depth
of misery out of which he had lifted
this poor forgotten one.
Pardon my weakness, SIR Edgar
made answer as soon as he could
command his voice. But it came on
me SO suddenly
why didn't you send me word?'
asked Mr.. Lloyd. 1T wasn't right in
you to do So
Il thought you must know it, sir,
Everybody knew was hurt
Il was not at nome; and when |
came back, no one told me. 1t was
all very wrong. shall be hard on
somebody for this. Who was your
foreman p
There was an angry culver in Mr..
Lloyd's voice.
Don't be hard on anybody on my
account said Mr.. Edgar. Maybe 1t
was only forgetfulness.'
'Fogetfulness such as this is a
crime, was the stern answer. 'The
man who fails to report a case like
yours is not worthy to hold fore
mans position
please excuse me for a moment,
said Edgar, rising with difficulty. Il
must tell Mary the good news. 1t
| will comfort her-poor soul !
And he moved slowly away to an
adjoining chamber In a little while
he came back, with moist eyes, out of
which all the trouble had gone.
'You are neighbor of this poor
man. Mr. Lloyd said to Mr.. Archer as
soon as they were alone.
Yes, sir. live near him.
'And have a friendly interest in
his welfare? But | need not ask that
question. Your actions have proved
that Have you leisure to walk home
with me? / would like TO confer
with you about him.
| 'If it be your wish | shall be happy
to act with you for his relief said
Mr.. Archer,
1t was long after their usual sup
| per hour when Mr.. Archer returned
home that evening. His wife waited
for him, wondering at his delay; Won
dering, until surprise at his absence
began to change into concern. Then
as she sat listening intently, she heard
the well-known sound of his coming
feet. 1t was not the usual measured
tread, but quick and elastic. What
could it mean? She had risen. and
WAS LEANING forward as he threw