Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-09-21
A STRANGE ExCULPATION.


"WANTED:-A young man as
book keeper. Must write a plain,
legible hand; for further particulars
inquire Of Crawford a. Co, No 6
p Avenue"
Thus read 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 strikingly handsome. were clear
cut and well defined His apparel,
though threadbare and patched. was
neat and tidy. On the whole, he
was lad whose appear tnce, at
glance, would have favorably i'm
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 a look of
JOY swept over his countenance.
Just the thingv he muttered. Il
guess Ill apply for the situation"
He folded up the periodical care
fully. placed it in his pocket, and
strobe rapidly away. Half an hour
later he was in the presence of an
old gentleman, whose rotund, Jolly
looking face and mild blue eyes
fairly beamed with benevolence and
good nature
Are you Mr.. Crawford, sir?"
Il am. sir" was the sententious,
though kind reply.
"WelI, Mr.. Crawford, have come
in answer to the advertisement you
inserted in the columns of the Even
ing Star"
"Ah! exactly; 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 seat upon that stool
and give me a specimen of your pen
manship" pointing at the same time
to a three-legged stool, facing large
desk.
Rob at once complied, and wrote
in a plain, neat hand, Robert Rob
inson."
"Ah, very goodw commented Mr..
Crawford, approvingly, as Rob fin
ished. "Your name, supposeF
"Yes. sir"
well, Robert, you may consider
yourself engaged"
Rob's face fairly beamed with joy
and pleasure as he heard this.
When shall l come to work, sir p
asked Rob.
Let me see. As to-day is Satur-
day, think you may go now and
come Monday morning where you
will find George" to a fop-
pish individual-"who will let you
in"
"All right. sir; l shall be here
And doffing 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 fair
education, battling heroically against
the trials which encompassed her
Many and many time. as Rob gazed
upon her wan, careworn face, he felt
n 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-
ton.
, At last the sight of his poor. suf
fering mother SO affected him that
be could no longer endure it, and or
the day of our sketch he informed
her of his intention Of giving uT
school and procuring work.
"For. mother" he said, II am ole
, enough to begin life's battles, ant
| must and shall seek for work. car
+ no longer endure to see you working
, day and night for my sake"
"But, my dear son." began Mrs
/ Robinson; "consider for a moment
: II is better for you to remain al
, school and finish your education.
, can easily"
. Then she ceased abruptly, for hel
| son had hastily snatched up his ha
. and rushed from the house, fully in
tent on consummating his new enter
!, prise. How he succeeded has beer
made manifest.
3 On entering the house he informed
/, his mother OF his success, and SO pro
2 digious was his joy that he fairl.
p capered around the room with de
: light.
! Monday morning arrived, an,
= promptly at eight o'clock Rob ar
rived at the store and entered upol
= his new duties. His fellow clerk,
swaggering bully. from the first dis
b liked and was jealous of him; but h'
D found favor in his masters eyes, ant
/, that was all he cared for
e But by-and by cloud arose. Sool
n Mr. Crawford regarded Robert witt
r distrust and suspicion. though i
panied him to do so For three o
four days money had been misses
4 from the drawer. and as such thin,
o had never transpired ere Rob's al
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