Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-06-13

ton to you, however. You're very
Oood Tn eura

| My coming to you for 2 bit wont
be any expense to you, Mr.. Litchfeld.
| can stay there while l am waiting
for employment as well as to be do
ing nothing. | can be making inqui-
ries, you know. You had better let
me come
i And Mr.. Litchfield, between cough
ing and expressing his gratefulness,
neither accepted or declined, but
went home feeling wonderfully
warmed and strengthened in the in
ner mau; and his frightened look
was almost as good for the sick wife
as the medicine, which came accom-
panied with kind yet playful mes
sage from Edna regarding the mode
administering.
Don't you approve, Allie?' asked
Hal, after telling the personal news
he would not intrude on the pleasant
tea and reading hour, and closing
with, 4 know l shall have work soon,
and perhaps this is just to give an
opportunity to help Litchfeld. He is
one Of the worthiest men alive. Ben
ton, who helps him to his goods, told
me all about him. That's an awful
cough he's got" And with one of
his quick changes of expression, Hal
shook his head CONTINUOUSLY, and looked
sympathizing.
| So the next morning Mr.. Litchfield
had clerk. Information aud direc-
tons were asked in the most respect
full manner, and had all Halls future
depended upon winning the approba.
ton of the proprietor, the business of
the day could not have been more
scrupulonsly transacted. He made
one business call that day on his own
account, but the firm to which he ap-
piled were not in need Of further
help, and gave him no encourage.
ment. The second day Hal was
quite by himself, except an occasional
customer. He knocked twice at the
door of the living room behind the
shop, and each time the MESSAGE
was that the sufferer was no better.
Litchfeld looked baggard. He had
scarcely slept for two nights. When
Hal came down from his own dinner,
he brought him delicious soup of Ed.
mas preparing, and message from a
neighbor that she would watch that
night if desired.
1t was four o'clock in the afternoon
of the third day that Jonas Wing
came in, remembering, when he was
almost home, that he had promised
his little girl toy that night.
why, my son, what are You doing
here p he exclaimed, as Hal came
forward to wait upon him.
Excepting shop for the proprietor,
SIR
You have not left Hathertons p
yes, sir, | left them three days
since.'
'Why, I'd made up my mind you'd
be fixture there. Would you think
it strange if friend of your fathers
should ask why you left there p
Not at all. Fred Hagar, nephew
of Mr.. Hatherton's wanted the place,
and they gave it to him.
and you are here!
4
on in the intervals of the purchase,
and Hal answered -'yes, SIR suspend
ing further words to bite off string.
Does it pay young man of your
capabilities p
Yes, sir, it pays for the time. /
cannot afford to stay here longer than
till | can find new situation. Mr..
Litchfeld has been unfortunate, and
his wife is very ill; he is a neighbor
of ours, and am glad to have the
privilege of helping him bit / am
looking out for chance for myself all
the time.
Come into my store sad Mr..
Wing, of the large wholesale house of
Wing, Rich & Co., and he named
promptly salary in advance of that
the Hathertons had paid. Come to-
morrow, if you like; and if Mr.. Low,
whom you will probably see, tells you
we do not want any more help, tell
him you have an engagement with
me-
That night when Hal went home, it
was with the nnouncement-sAnot
friend of fathers has turned up, Ed
nal
SIS he coming here, Hal?'
1t cannot be denied that there
was a slight shade of anxiety on
the sisters face. Within the past
six months two gentlemen, stran-
gers to them, but designating
themselves friends of her father had.
| being in town, come and taken up an
abode with them. The second had
brought his little boy with him, was
himself an invalid, and Edna's kind,
heart could not see him suffer without
taking active measures for his relief.
lie prolonged his stay some time at.
ter making the discovery that Hal
was giving up his own bed to him
and sleeping in closet, also that Ed
ma, whose failing health would not
allow her to continue teaching, did all
the work for their little household,
having help only one day in the week
from old Margaret 1t is hoped that,
under the circumstances, the reader
will not form an erroneous idea of
Edna's hospitality, if slightly anx.
ious tone was betrayed in the inter-
rogation.
"a new kind of friend, Eddy re-
joine Hal Offers me situation, and
a hundred dollars more than the
Hathertons gave me. Says / could
come to morrow, but was willing /
should stay and help Mr.. Litchfeld
the week out. Mrs. Litchfeld is bet
ter to-day. She sent word for me to
come to the door, she wanted to
thank me for bringing the geraniums
you sent. She is pleasant speaking
little woman. | declare it makes me
feel bad, Eddy, to have them SO CRATE
full for the little I've done. 1t seems
as though they were not used to kind
ness. They have done SO much for
others, too. Benton told me all
about it
HALF spoke Edna, as be was van
ishing through the door.
Did yon speak to me p
| You did not tell me where You are
/ Ooiuu-fbo paxu fr,oy1so rcc..,