The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-05-08
NED ALVORD'S TRIALS.

NED ALNORD'S TRIALS.
"Well, I'll give you trial, Ned.
Come back tomorrow, and Wen see
what you are fit for.
''Thank you Mr.. Erless. III do my
best to please you;" and touching his
hat, Ned Alvord walked off with a quick
light step.
A youth of about eighteen, very seedy
rs to clothes, but with resolnte month,
ana frank, grey eyes, which somehow
conveyed to you the idea of strong will,
and cheerful energy; such was Ned Al
word.
''Is it possible, Erless, that you are
going to take jim Alvord's son into your
store 9" said friend who was standing
near.
''And why not?" asked the merchant,
| PLEASANTLY. Every one dings in my
ears that the boys father was a drunken
yagahond, whom death only saved from
the ponitentiary, ana that the eldest
brother would be there now, if he had
! his deserts. The fact is, the lad has II
feeble mother, and she has two small
children besides him to support. an7
don't see why, because OF the the rascal
/ ity OF two members of the family, the
others should starve.
81 don't mean that said Mr.. Pres
colt, but 1t seems to me you run risk
in taking the boy into your store. | be-
lieve that evil tendencies are transmitted
from father to son, and will develope
under temptation. This boy has had
the same surroundings. the same train
I ing as his brother, and why should he
be different ?"
ssHe is different, at all events" an
swered Mr.. Eress. GIVE watched him,
and believe he has the making of an
honest, capable man in him. His moth
er is a good woman, though weak. Ned
is head, hands, and everything else 10
her. [ shall try him."
Mr.. Prescott shrugged his shoulders,
ana walked off, thinking, most likely,
that his friend Erless was very foolish.
He was not hard hearted man, nor had
he any personal i'll viii against the boy,
but he was one of those who believe that
children are very apt to inherit the good
or evil qualities of their parents.
Ned hurried home with light heart.
cat last, I've got place, mother, and
who do you think its with? be cried
Mr. Erless, who keeps the largest store
in Covington. I'm to begin at the bot
tom Of the ladder, as errand- boy. Bu
III work up, see If don't. Isn't it
streak Of good luck for us, mother2"
Mrs. Alyord was thin worn out looking
woman, with a nervous manner, and eye.
full of care and trouble. The news wa
certainly cheering, but a life Of miser,
! ! seems to unfit the mind to realize IN
moment any favorable change in its con
ditions.
Il suppose it is, Ned, she answered
in a hesitating manner. But every on
is going to watch you, expecting tha
you will DO something wrong. l sup
i. pose they shouldn't be blamed, though.
Its cruel; il s uniust!" Ned cried ont
passionately.
at is hard and cruel, his mother an
swered; but / ought to rejoice that a
last you have an opportunity of lifting
some Of the disgrace from your name
Ah, my good boy, if every one knew Yo
as / do
She laid her hands caressingly on hi
head, and the two children climbed u
on his knees. 1t was a poor little home
but it was very bright one that nigh
,e Mother and son sat up until late, discu.
sing the possibilities which might gro
ont of the first glimpse of better day.
T Perhaps my readers may smile that :
much was made OF this little gleam {
fortune. But they must remember thi
S. minute point of light is unutterab
JOY to poor wretch who is lost an
Is cropping in a dark cavern.
Bright and early the next day, Ne
$ entered upon his new duties. He w:
quick to learn, and so active and willing
that at the end Of the month Mr. Erie.
in paying him his small wages, added
- few words of commendation.
The months passed on, and the be
n%d y grew steadily in the favor of his emplo
81 or. until no one in the establishment W