Connecticut western news., 1883-05-02
VOL. XII.


 one place after another as worthless, when Mrs. Joy tapped lightly upon his door.
 ''Harry Lee, you know Mrs. Joy this is little Willie come to make you 8 visit and bring you good news," open- ing the door in answer to his feeble re- sponse. The lad sprang to his feet and the hot blood leaped into his pale cheeks; his lips quivered, but he could not utter word''
 "Papa says, Come back to the store,' pleaded the child's voice. "He said I must tell you, because I did it; though don't know how"
 "Yes, Harry, MT. Joy has forgiven you, and desires you should come back to your old place. And, my dear boy, I cannot think you really meant to be dis honest; now, did you?" going up to him and laying her hand upon his with the tenderness of mother.
 "Oh, no, madaml Indeed, I did not. intended to replace every cent. I did wrong, but I was not willful thief"
 "Will you tell me just how it hap pened, Harry, and how you came to be alone in this great city, and such for lorn surroundings p
 'I came here six months ago from Woodland, pleasant little country town where lived all my days my poor fathers health had failed, and with only the income of the small farm, it was hard to make both ends meet. I could not bear my dear sister should wear herself out with teaching, while I, strong lad, was going to school by her earnings, so l determined to start out for myself and see what could do to help-hard as it was to give up my books and leave the old home and all behind.
 "No one can imagine what I suffered from homesickness for the first few weeks after entered MT. Joys store; and this cheerless room-the best I could afford you know it seemed such dreary place in which to spend my evenings, and I grew so wretched I was glad to fall into the companionship of almost any one, and gradually I was led into places ought never to have entered, but my associates were kind and attentive, and better company than my own gloomy thoughts, and I was only too glad to have somewhere to go. I always sent home certain amount every week, but I was tempted to spend part of my money in tickets for the theatre, for I felt it was not honorable to accept favors without ever returning them, and so I had not the requisite amount. I tried to get courage to ask MT. Joy for the & which I needed to make the usual sum, and then the thought came to me that I could keep that amount from my daily sales and replace it next week, never stopping to think how easily it could be detected, or that it was possible I could be considered thief. But I see now how very wrong it was. and I am afraid I can never regain MT. Joys respect and confidence, and all my fellow-clerks will look upon me with pity and contempt. No, Mrs. Joy and dear little Willie, though my heart blesses you for lifting part of the load, do not feel as if I could go back. I believe I will go to sea-
 'And leave that dear father and moth- CT to grieve for you? Why, it would break their hearts. They need not know your temptation till you can go to them and tell them all your trouble; but if you run away like criminal or coward, will they not have reason to believe their son has falle into guilt and crime? No, dear boy; stay, and prove to your en- ployer, by your future honesty, that you did not intend to defraud him, and lei this severe lesson prove saving bless, ing. We will try and make your home. life more cheerful, and in pleasant, inno cent recreation you shall forget you1 homesickness and desolation, and have no desire to join in vain, unproftable amusements, or seek the companionshiI of any but the wise and good"
 "God bless and reward you, dear lady You have saved me- I was feeling SC reckless just now, I did not care what became of me. will try and serve Mr. Joy so faithfully that you may never re gret your kindness.
 And Mrs. Joy had saved him. Years after, when he was noble, upright man with wealth and honors, he would turr to the still happy fre-side of his bene factress with grateful heart, and bless her for all he had become in this world and the hope for the life which is tt come.