The Worthington advance., 1879-05-29


Blossom again in song.
Henry w. Lonqfsllo,c.
" 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 Alyord walked off with a
quick, light step.
A youth OF about eighteen, very secdy
rs to- clothes, but with rcsolute 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 Alvortl's son into your
store?" said friend who was standing
near.
'And why not?" asked the merchant.
pleasantly: ':Every one dlngs in my ears
that tho boys father was drunken vaga-
bond, whom death only saved from the
penitcntiary, 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 to support, and don't see why, be-
cause Of the r..scality Of two members Of
the family, the others should be left to
starve."
II don't mean that said Mr.. Prescott,
"but 1t seems to me you run a risk in
taking the boy into your store. l believe
that evil tendencies are transmitted from
father to son, and will dcyclopc under
temptation. This 10y has had the same
surroundings, the same training, as his
brother, and why should he be difercnt?"
"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 a
good woman, though weak. Ned IS head,
hands, and everything else to her. I 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 had
he any personal ill will against the boy,
but he was one Of those who believe that
children are very apt to inherit the good
orevil qualities-o their parents.
Ned hurried home with light heart.
s'At last, I've got place, mother, and
who do you think it is with?' he cried.
"Mr. Erless, Mo keeps the largest store
in Covington. I'm to begin at the bot
tom of the ladder, as errand-boy. But
I'll work up, see if don't. Isn't it a
streak Of good luck for us, mother2"
Mrs. Alvord was thin, worn out look
ing woman, with nervous manner, and
eyesafun Of care and trouble. The news
was certainly cheering, but life of
misery seems to unfit the mind to realize
in moment any favorable change in its
conditions.
II suppose it is, Ned,,' she answered,
in hesitatlng manner. "But every one
is watching you, expecting that you will
do something wrong. l suppose they
shouldn't be blamed, though
ut is cruel, it is unjust Ned cried out
passionately
ut is hard and cruel,' his mother an
swered, "but you ought to rejoice that at
last you have an opportunity of lifting
some Of the disgrace from your name. Ali,
my good boy, if everybody knew you as
She laid her hands caressingly on his
head, and the two children climbed up on
his knees. It was a poor little home,
but it was very bright one that night.
Mother and son sat up until late, dis
cussing the possibilities which might
grow out of the first glimpse Of another
day:
Perhaps my readers may smile that SO
much was made Of this little CLEAN of for
tune. But they must remember that a
minute point Of light is unutterable joy to
apoor wretch who is lost and cropping in
dark cavern.
Bright and early the next day, Ned en-
tered upon his new duties. He was quick
to learn, and so active and willing that at
the end of the month, Mr.. Erless, in pay
ing him his small wages, added few
words Of commentator.
The months passed on, and the boy grew
steadily in the favor of his employer, un-
:, til no one in the establishment was more
trusted than himself. He kept the
keys to the store, as none of the clerks
slept in the building, and it was his bus
mess to sweep it out every morning before
>sunrise.:
One night lie returned home flushed and
excited.
"Mr. Erless has raised my wages"
he cried. "Now I can repair this house,
and We will all be so comfortable and
happy! Why, what's the matter, moth
F., ,er9 you look. wretchedly."
He noticed her hands clasping and un-
. clasping, in nervous agitation; her old
movement in her days Of trouble.
=: "Hes come back, " she whispered, look
ing towards an inner room.
No need to ask who he was. The wild
vaeabond brother, Dick, whom nothing
but . legal quibble had saved from the
penitentiary. The thief, whom thew
never thought Of without blush, was at
home again. Since he left Covinpton
two years before, no news had come back
Of him; and the wretched mother felt.
= with = shudder, that the news of his
= . death would be almost the best she could
=, expect to receive of him.
he entered the room,-a coarse, burly-
looking ruf6an, with loud, overbearinp
voice and manner.
"Hilloa, youngster, you here! Don't
seem over-glad to see your elder brother.
Blessed if you amt the same slip of bow.
without bit Of muscle yet! So you're
splayin' Niger for old Erless, are you9
Catch me at that sort of business. I'll