The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-06-07
Sflfrf Sturp.
LIVING r. DOWN.

sDid your mother send you on such
an errand as that to mel sss-z'
{ Bernard Reed, lad about sixteen,
whose coarse, ill-fitting garments i'll &C.
corded with the frank, erect bearing,
and proud, sensitive face, shrank from
the cold, stern eyes that we're directed
toward him.
"No, sir. She did not know that
Was going to look for work."
Mr.. Burchard looked keenly at the
frank young face.
81 used to know your mother some
years ago; did she never speak Of me r.
aNot that / remember Of"
A bitter snesr curled the thin lips.
"How strange! when We used to be
such good friends"
Bernard looked puzzled, evidently
coming to the conclusion that this
strange man was displeased at his moth
er's apparent forgetfulness Of their old
friendship. 'a
II remember now hearing mother say
once, as you we're riding by, that she
used to know you when you were poor
boy; that you were rich and prosperous
now, and she hoped happy"
elbow very kind in her Yes, I am
rich and prosperous. There has been
quite . change in our surroundings since
1 was poor boy and she the daughter
of millionaire. And SO you came on
your own responsibility ?"
"Yes, sir, l heard that yo7 wanted q
boy in your store, of about my age"
II should want one long time be
fore employed son Of Albert Reed,
the defaulter!''
The blood suddenly receded from the
face of the horror struck listener, and
then, returning, crimsoned the temples
"It is not true"
Not many men could have gazed an
moved into those wild, imploring eyes
which seemed to entreat . denial Of {
charge 80 terrible, but Mr.. Burchart
went pittilessly on.
.It is true, as you will find, Alber
Reed, your father, was sent to the peni
Itentiarv, and but for an act OF Execu
tive clemency, in the last month of hi
llile, would have died there. Didn't yol
know this p
aNo. Nor do l know it now"
"Go ask your mother, boy; she vii
tell you that what I say Is true"
Bernard hardly knew how he foun'
himself out in the street amid the busy
bustling crowd Of the great city. Hi
brain seemed on FIRE, and his heart, tbs
lately beat SO high, like lead in his be
lsom. ia
] His father had died when he was
Imere child, but words and circumstar
Ices rushed upon his mind, to which b
had paid little heed at the time, whic
Iaroused fears and suspicious that nearl
Inaddened him.
/ In poor room, in the poorest par
!. Iof the city, sat Mrs. Reed, straining be
Tired eyes over some fne sewing. Lear
ling back In her chair with long, wear
Isigh, che glanced up at the clock.
was considerably past the time for Bern
lard to return from school. What coul
Idetain him :
Then she remembered what he ha
said in the morning when he kissed be
Igood bye:
"You are working too hard mother
j must fnd something to do go as I
help you"
What q good boy he wasi Ho
strong, how brave and hopefnll Wit
daA the sorrows and hardships whic
were slowly weighing her down to th
IgraveBhe could not feel that her life vi
utterly deveid Of sunsbiae while he VI
left.
q As Mrs. Reed thus unused, hurfiet
unsteady footsteps were heard sscent
ling the stairs, go unlike those she vi
.lexpeoting that she rose, . vagus feelin