Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-09-22
a STRANGE EXCULPATI0N.
By Lou.

By Lou.
"WANTED:-A young man as
book keeper Must write plain,
legible hand; for further particulars
inquire of Crawford IL Co, No 6
P Avenue"
Thus read a youth of some sixteen
summers, as he glanced over the col
umns Of an evening paper. He was
a bright eyed, manly young fellow,
with dark brown hair and dreamy
blue eyes, while his features, though
not strilingly handsome, were clear
cut and we'll defined. His apparel,
though threadbare and patched, was
neat and tidy. On the whole, he
was a lad whose appearance, at q
glance, would have favorably inn
pressed the most fastidious, and ex
cited their admiration and respect.
This was Robert Robinson. AS he
read the above advertisement, his
large blue eyes dilated with pleas
ure and intelligence, and look Of
Joy swept over his countenance.
Just the thingw no muttered. Il
guess I'll apply for the situation"
He folded up the periodical care
fully, placed it in his pocket, and
strode rapidly away. Half an hour
later he was in tho presence of an
old gentleman, whose rotund, jolly
looking face and mild blue eyes
fairly beamed with benevolence and
good mature.
Are you Mr.. Crawford, sira"
II am, sir" was the contentious,
though kind reply.
"Well, Mr.. Crawford, l have come
in answer to the advertisement you
inserted in the columns of the Even
ing STAR"
"Ah! exactly; l understand" said
the old gentleman, who, while Rob
was speaking, had been scrutinizing
the latter intently, and had been
favorably impressed with his appear
ance. Then he continued. Il will
try you. Take q seat upon that stool
and give me specimen OF your pen
manship" pointing at the same time
to a three-legged stool, facing a large
desk.
Rob at once complied, and wrote
in plain, neat hand, Robert Bob
inson."
"Ah, very goodv' commented Mr..
Crawford, approvingly, as Rob fin
ished. "Your name, l SUPPOSED"
eyes, sir"
"Well, Robert, you may consider
yourself engaged"
Rob's face fairly beamed with Joy
and pleasure as he heard this.
"When shall come to work, STRIP
asked Rob.
"Let me SEQ. AS to-day is Satur-
day, l think you may go now and
come Monday morning where you
will find George" pointing to fop-
pish individual-"who will let you
in."
GAIL right, sir; l shall be here"
And dof1ing his hat, Rob departed.
Rob was the only son of his wild
owed mother, who had, two years
previous, lost her husband. She
managed to sustain herself and son
by taking in sewing, sacrificing her
self to allow him to obtain a fair
education, battling heroically against
the trials which encompassed her.
Many and many time, as Rob gazed
upon her wan, careworn face, he felt
a poignant twinge of pain, for he but
too clearly realized the fact that she
was continually overworking herself
from early in the morning till late
at night, growing paler day by day,
slowly but surely becoming a victim
to that ravaging malady, consump-
tion.
At last the sight of his poor, suf-
fering mother so affected him that
he could no longer endure it, and on
the day of our sketch he informed
her of his intention of giving up
school and procuring work.
"For. mother" he said, II am old
enough to begin life's battles, and
must and shall seek for work. can
no longer endure to see you working
day and night for my sake"
"But, my dear son." began Mrs.
Robinson; consider for moment.
It is better for you to remain at
school and finish your education. /
can easily"
Then she ceased abruptly, for her
son had hastily snatched up his hat
and rushed from the house, fully in
tent on consummating his new enter
prise. How he succeeded has been
made manifest.
On entering the house he informed
his mother of his success, and so pro
digious was his JOY that he fairly
capered around the room with de
light