The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-05-25

"Y ou would hear what [ said? ash
ed the cashier.
"Yes. But could not we three wor
a night instead, till nigh twelve to
night and again from half past lively
on, sir? We'd prefer that
The clerk turned questioningly tow
ards a gentleman who, sitting in tn
Office with his hands in his pocket
and his legs stretched out, was poisin,
his chair on it's back legs and gain,
into the fire.
what am l to say, sir?" asked tn
cashier.
"Eh! what" cried the master, let
ting his chair come down suddenly OF
the floor and fixing his keen eyes OF
Stephen. what does he want?"
ITO work over-nig hit, sir, instead Of
on Sunday. He says his two mate:
he thinks will be willing to join hin
too and he'll make full time"
Not condescending to notice the
clerk s explanation, the master, spring
ing to his feet, cried,-
"Come in here, Steve"
And Stephen entered the counting
house cap in hand.
"Now, my lad, what nonsense is
this?" demanded Mr.. Hanworth.
"You know we'll enough how slack
trade has been, and / think you ought
to be glad Hanworth's has got the Or
der. It's good for you as well as me- ~
$50 | am, sir, I'm sure"
"And you know it has to be execut-
ed to time?"
"Yes, sir
'Then do you mean to tell me you
won't work on Sunday?"
''I'll make it up fully, sir. I know
my two mates will come, and we'll
give you full satisfaction; but I can
not break the Sabbath. l never have,
sir, and | hope you won't ask it now"
"Shut up!' cried Mr. Hanworth an
grily. ''Do you think I'm going to be
preached at by any hand here? Are
you going to accommodate me or are
you not?"
Stephen stood silent, and then he
raised his eyes and looked full in his
masters angry face.
That silent look was enough.
White to his lips, Mr.. Hanworth said
slowly
''If you won't accommodate me you
may CO. and then turned his back.
Stephen waited a moment or two
md then slowly left the Office and
passed out into the now empty foun-
Try yard.
In the street he found Aaron lin
yering.
"Well, lad?"
I've got the sack!'
Aaron would have said some word
IF consolation, but, glancing at the
face beside him, he
forbore and left Stephen to walk
nome alone. As he did so, he did not
feel much like a hero! A man may
10 the right thing, but those know
Of such struggles who repre-
sent that, therefore, peace-nay, joy
will flood his soul. Nothing of the
Kind. There is only one way into the
and that way is strewn with
5horns, and the thorns pierce the feet
which press them; yes, sometimes they
wound so deeply that they even lame,
and it is with hesitating and bleeding
footsteps that the traveller presses sor-
UT may be regretfully-on-
ward. Visions of victory fade away,
and all that the worn ard wearied soul
dares to hope for is strength to strug-
gle forward, and, manned and broken
hearted, to reach some day the goal,
and then rest.
Stephen, miserable and sad, grew
more low-spirited as he neared his
home. He did not fear having to lis
ten to reproaches, but he trembled as
he thought Of the look he would re-
ceive. It was with a slow footstep
that he entered the cottage and as
cended the stairs to the neat room
above where wife and child awaited
him.
With bright countenance and
eyes Mary looked up into her
husbands face, and then before he
spoke a word she stretched out her
white hand and took his fondly.
Dear lad, sit down and tell me
what is the matter" ;"
"A great DEAL wife! I've got the
sack"
Certainly as he spoke the face he
loved so well became downcast. Ma
ry cast frightened glance towards
the little bundle by her side, but the
next instant she regained her conf
dence and said cheerfully,-
"Never mind, you are sure to get
on somewhere else. Thou are first
class hand, Steve. there are plenty
more works in this big town beside
Hanworth's. Have any more got
turned off? Is work slacker?"
No; it's better, and I'm the only
one out"
''Thou the only one; tell me all
about it. dear Steve"
And then he related his story, and
as he spoke his wife's face grew as
quiet and as settled as his own, and
when he concluded with the remark,
Its very hard on you and the little
lass, Mary, but what could do?" she
answered, Nothing but what thou
hast done. My Steve would have to
grow a different man from what he is
afore he'd put us above his duty tc
God. Never fear for us, a way will
be made; kneel down and pray bit
ladn
And when in few low.murmured
heartfelt sentences her husband had
done so, she fell quietly asleep hold
ing his hand in hers. Afraid to dis
turb her, he sat still thinking of many
things, and his thoughts were not sad
for, now the first shock Of losing his
work at such a critical time was past
he felt convinced he should have little