Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-25
NED ALVORE'S TRIALS.

well, I'll give you trial, Ned. Come
back tomorrow, and we'll see what you
are fit for"
THANK you, Mr.. Erless. I'll do my
very best to please you;' and touching
his hat, Ned Alvord walked of with a
quick, light step.
A youth of about eighteen, very seedy
as to clothes, but with resolute mouth,
and frank, grey eyes, which somehow
conveyed to you the idea of strong will,
and cheerful energy, such was Ned AL
vord
"Is 1t possible, Erless, that you are
going to take Jim Alvord's son into your
store2" said friend who was standing
near.
s'And why not?" asked the merchant,
pleasantly. every one dings in my ears
that the boys father was drunken vaga-
bond, whom death only saved from the
penitentiary, and that the eldest brother
would be there now, if he had his deserts.
The fact is, the lad has a feeble mother,
and she has two small children besides
him tqsupport, and I don't see why, be-
cause Of the rascality of two members of
the family, the others should be left to
starve." Sac
81 don't mean that" said Mr.. Prescott,
shut it seems to me you run risk in
taking the boy into your store. I believe
that evil tendencies are transmitted from
father to son, and will develope unde,
temptation. This boy has had the same
surroundings, the same training, as his
brother, and why should he be different2'
"He is different, at all events, answered
Mr.. Erless. Give watched him, and
believe he has the making of an honest
capable man in him. His mother is 6
good woman, though weak. Ned is head
hands, and everything else to her. / shall
try him.
Mr.. Prescott shrugged his shoulders
and walked of, thinking, most likely
that his friend Erless was very foolish
| He was not hard hearted man, nor ha(
he any personal i'll will against the boy
| but he was one of those who believe tina
children are very apt to inherit the goot
or evil qualities Of their parents.
Ned hurried home with light heart.
i cat last, I've got a place, mother, ant
who do you think it is with?" he cried
"Mr. Eriess, who keeps the largest stor
in Covington. I'm to begin at the bot
tom of the ladder, as errand-boy. Blu
III work up, see if l don't. Isn't it
streak of good luck for us, mother?"
Mrs. Alvord was thin, worn out look
ing woman, with nervous manner, ant
eyes full of care and trouble. The. new
was certainly cheering, but a life Q
misery seems to unfit the mind to realiz
in moment any favorable change in it
| conditions.
81 suppose it is, Ned she answered
in hesitating manner. Shut every on
is watching you, expecting that you wi
do something wrong. suppose the
: shouldn't be blamed, though"
| sit is cruel, it is unjust, . Ned cried on
passionately.
ssIt is hard and cruel,' his mother ar
J swered, "but you ought to rejoice that 3
t last you have an opportunity Of Eftin
some Of the disgrace from your name. AL
: my good boy, if everybody knew YOU
3 She laid her hands caressingly on HI
: head, and the two children climbed up o
his knees: It was poor little hom'
E but twas very bright one that nigh
Mother and son sat up until late, di
y cussing the possibilities which mlgf
: grow out of the first glimpse of anothe
$ day.
a Perhaps my readers may smile that {
t much was made of this little CLEAN Of TO
' tune. But they must remember that
t minute point Of light is unutterable JOY
e a poor wretch who is lost and cropping
' a dark cavern.
i Bright and early the next day, Ned el
tered upon his new duties. He wasquic
to learn, and SO active and wiling that
the end of the month, Mr.. Erless, in pa,
It ing him his small wages, added te
: words of commentator.
il The months passed on, and the boy gre
S steadily in the favor of his employer, VI
5. til no one in the establishment was mo
y trusted than himself. He kept Il
s keys to the store, as none of the clerl
IS slept in the building, and it was his bu
T mess to sweep it out every morning befo
sunrise.
i One night he returned home flushed al
y excited.
9 ssMr. Erless has raised my wages
- he cried. CHOW can repair this hous
IS and we will all be SO comfortable al
g happy! Why, what's the matter, mot
!, ere you look wretchedly. !"
is He noticed her hands clasping and u
o clasping, in nervous agitation; her o
movement in her days Of trouble.