Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-05-08
NED Alv0RD'S TRIALS.

"Wen, In give you trial. Ned
Come back tomorrow. and we'll
zee what 20 n are fl for"
"rhank you, Mr.. Erless. I'll do
my wy best to please you and
touching bis hat, Ned Alvord
walked off with quick, light step.
A youth Of about eighteen, very
seedy as to clothes, but with q
resclnte mouth, and frark. grey
eyes, which somehow conveyed to
you the idea of strong will and
cheerful energy; such was Ned AL
word.
"Is it possible, Etla.s. that you
are going TO take jim Afford y son
into your store p said friend who
was standing near.
"And why not ?" asked the mer.
chant, pleasantly. Every one
dlngs in my ears that the boys
father was a drunken vsgabond,
whom death only saved from the
penitentiary, and that the eldest
brother would be there now, if he
bad his deserts. The fact is, the
lad has q feeble mother, and she has
two small children besides him to
support, and don't see why, be-
cause of the family, the others
should be left TO starve."
81 don't mean that" said Mr..
Prescott, "buL it seems to me you
run a risk in taking the boy into
your store. believe that evil ten
denotes ars transmitted from faith.
to son, and will develop under
temptation. This boy has had the
same surroundings, the same train
ing, as bis brother, and why should
he be different?"
ale is different at all events" an
swered Mr.. Erless. "I've watched
him, and believe he has the max
ing OF an honest, capable man in
him. His mother is a good woman,
though weak. Ned is head, hands,
and every thing else to her. | shall
try him."
Mr.. Prescott shrugged his shout
ders, and walked off, thinking, most
likely, that his friend Erless was
very foolish. He was not a hard
hearted man, nor had he any per.
sonal i'll will against the boy, but
be 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 a light
heart.
AT last, I've got a place, mother,
and who do you think it's with ?"
be cried. "Mr. Erless, who keeps
the largest store in Covington.
I'm to begin at the bottom OF the
ladder, as errand boy. But I'll
work up, see if don't. Isn't it q
streak or good luck for Us, mother?"
Mrs. Alvord was q thin, worn-out
looking woman, with a nervous
manner, and eyes full of care and
trouble. The news was certainly
cheering, but life of misery seems
to unfit the mind to realize in a mo.
ment any favorable change in it's
conditions.
II suppose it is, Ned" she an,
swered, in a hesitating manner.
But every one is going to watch
you, expecting you will do some.
thing wrong. l suppose they should
Mt be blamed though
It's cruel it's unjust + Ned cried
out, passienately.
st is hard and cruel.' his mother
answered; but l ought to rejoice
that at last you have an opportun.
ity of lifting some of the disgrace
from your name. Alb, my good boy,
if every one knew you as | do
She laid her hands caressingly on
bis head, and the two children
climbed up on his knees. II was q
poor little home, but it was very
bright one that night. Mother and
son sat up until late, discussing the
possibilities which might grow out
OF the nrst glmpse OF better DAY,
Prehsps my readers may smile
that so much was made of this little
CLEAN of fortune. Bur they must
remember that minute point of
light is unuttersble joy to poor
wretch who is lost and cropping in q
dark cavern.
Bright aud early the next day.
Ned entered upon his new duties.
He was quick to learn, and so active
and willing, that st the end of the
month Mr.. Erless in paying him his
small wages, added a few words Of
commendstion.
The months passed on, aud the
boy grew stead ly in the favor of his
employer, un;il no one in the estab-
lishmenl was more trusted than
himself. He kept the keys of the
store. as none OF the CLERKS slept IN