Louisiana capitolian., 1879-10-25

that have always kept locked in my
heart" said John Haviland, as he faced
the little group in the parlor; "bnt to-
night feel it my duty to open it for
your inspection, and do it for the love
ola wOman-f0r the love of q woman
who made me what l am worthy to be,
the husband of good woman"
"Why, john" said Mrs. Hayiland,
softly approaching-babe still held tight
to her bosom-"you frighten me-"
"Let's have the story" said the rest
of the group, certain that something
good might be anticipated; and John
commenced, at first little timid,. but
gaining confidence as he proceeded.
"When first came to New York at
the age of IL years, to seek my fortune,
l can call myself precocious chap,
without danger Of being accused OF an
unusual degree of self-appreciation. !
was quick to learn everything, the bad
as well as the good. My employer used
profane language. picked mp the oaths
lie dropped with naturalness that sur
prised even myself. The boys in the
office all chewed tobacco. This was lit
tie the hardest job ever attempted, but
after weeks of nausea and indescribable
stomach wrenchings, came off victori-
Gus, and could get away my plug day
with the best of 'em.
Gone afternoon l was sent with note
from my employer to house in the up
per part of the city. hadn't anything
to read, but l had plenty of tobacco, and
with that l proposed to entertain myself
during the two or three hours / must
spend in the passage. For some dis
tance | did not notice who was beside
me, but by-and-bya lady said, very softly
and pleasantly; Would you please be
more careful, little boy9 l am going
to a party this afternoon, aud should
hate to have my dress spoiled
'1 looked into her face. 1t was the
sweetest l ever saw. Pale, earnest and
loving-to my boyish heart it was the
countenance of an angel"
"What did you say ?" interrupted Mrs.
Haviland, her bright eyes filing with
tears as she saw how the memory of this
beautiful woman affected her husband
"Say! There was very little ] could
say. l think all l did for some time was
to look.
II managed to dispose of the tobacco.
however, and wiped my mouth very
carefully, all of which felt certain. she
saw and mentally commented upon.
Have you mother, little boy p
she next asked, in the same voice.
"No ma'am answered, and ] fe,t my
throat filling up, and l knew | must
swallow mighty fast to keep from sob
bing.
"You have father, then, l suppose7 7
she kept on.
"No, ma'am; no father
"BrOthers and sisters p
Neither, maam."
"Then you are alone in the world ?"
"All alone, ma'am.'
"How long has your mother been dend!'
and the dear woman ooked away from
my face, and waited till l could speak.
"Two years. answered.
"And you loved her Tcamc next.
"Dearly,' was all could say.
She was silent for moment, Snd then
she said so Sweetly-0h' l sn1l never
forget it
"And what do you think your dear
mother would say-how do ydu think
she would feel-to know that lfr little
boy was guilty of such disgusting habit
as that P pointing to the tell-talc quid
which | vainly tried to hide beltath the
seat.
III must leave now,' she continued, but
here is my card, and, if you wil4come to
see me most any evening I shall be glad to
see you, and perhaps we can be of some
service to each other
,"She gave me her little gloyca hand,
and to my dying day shall never forget
the sensation Of that moment. Il could
notbear to part with her; without her
l felt l could do nothing-witli her l
could grow to mans estate-a man in the
trnest sense Of the word. From that mo-
ment tobacco never passed my lips.
Gas soon as I could summon the cour-
age l called upon the lady. Will do l
remember how my heart beat as ! waited
in the elegant parlor for her to come
down, and how awkward l felt as | fol-
lowed my gnide to her private; ;sitting
room. She got at every pointin my life,
and before bade her goodbye ut was
arranged that should spend tw& even
ings of each week ut her house and study
on the occasions just what she thought
best.
"No lover ever looked forward to meet
ings with the mistress of his heart any
more ardently than l did to these meet
ings with my friend.
81 grew careful of my personal appear
ance, careful of my conversation, and
strove in every way to be worthy of the
noble friendship. Two years PASSED in
this delightful manner--two years that
made me. My friend not only attended
to my studies, striving also all tho while
to SOW the right kind of spiritual