The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-05-12

business. tell you frankly, if l were able ii would give me pleasure to con tribute as you desire; but l have other calls for my benefactions.'
 What other calls, in this place, can you have more worthy than this! !' de manded Balcom, imperasively.
 The young man was evidently moved by an unpleasant sensation, but he re piled calmly and respectfully
 There are certain relations in life which a man may not honorably expose. Every man is bound in love and charity to his fellows: and ever professed chris tian IS bound to accept the rule and guidance of the Divine Master but in following out the line of individual duties each must judge for himself how best he can work in his own sphere'
 . A very convenient philosophy for the shirking of philanthropic responsibil- ity" said Balcom, derisively. :" was not aware that you had board of public charities in this place.
 Only as the charities of private in- dividuals may become such in the aggre- gate returned Casper, crisply.
 "Then I shall not enlist your sympa- thies in this cause:"
 You have my sympathies, already, sir"
 But your contribution of money"
 '' On tha, score you will have to excuse me for the present."
 Very well. sir. Mir. Balcom spoke the words with por,en,ious emphasis, and then folded up his subscription paper, and turned away.
 And he said to himself, when he was alone: This young man is lacking in that broad and heartfelt philanthropy which should characterize those whom would help to fortune. Charles Graves IS different. His heart is right. He would be an ornament to our christian society. Aye, verily. Casper Wellfeet is lacking." And before the day was done he had planned that he would install Charles Graves into the lucrative office of book-keeper of the mills.
 And on that evening, before the office was closed, the agent informed Casper that his services would be dispensed with at the end of another week. Casper had understood from the first that Mir. Balcom might make changes in the establish ment, especially in the clerical depart ment; and as the information of his own disposition came crisply and coolly, he offered no objection, though he was both sony and gneved to lose place upon which he had built great hopes.
 IL was on Thursday evening that Mrs. Balcom said 10 her husband:
 Alpheus, whom do you think have seen this afternoon
 He could not guess, and his wife told him:
 Itwas Mrs. A,hcott."
 What. Our old nurse?"
 Yes. The very same. The same good. kind Hannah to whom we owe so much
 And is she living here in town.'
 Yes
 With family:"
 '' She has three children. she told me, still living. Her husband died several years ago. She mus, have seen hard times, but she IS cheerful. am glad we have found her.
 And so am I,' said Mir. Balcom. And he called to mind the woman of whom they had spoken. He remem- bered the time when she had been his playmate and schoolmate, long years agone-a bright and happy girl. loving and beloved: and he remembered her as ,hc maiden. gay and blythesome. whom Harry Athcoti had wooed and won and he remembered later. when Harry. way ward and false, had wandered of and left her destitute, how she had come into his family in season of danger. and nursed himself and two of his chill dren through fearful sickness. and how the doctor had said that to the nursing -of Hannah Athcou he owed his life. Af- ter that Harry Athcott had come back. and Hannah had gone away and from that time he had not seen her.
 Mir. Balcom ate lis supper, and then said 10 his wife:
 Rachel. Il Is very pleasant this even ing let us walk out and see Hannah. You know where she lives."
 Mrs. Baloom knew. and would be glad tc go.
 And ere long they set forth. They found Mrs. Atheott in a small cottage, near the outskirts of the village, and Mir. Balcom kne.. her as soon as he saw her. though she had grown older. and paler and thinner, with the marks of deep suf- fering upon her brow. She had been sick through the long winter, and her oldest child was still an invalid.
 You had an older boy?n said NIT. Balcom.
 "Nes-Jack. He was my stay and my hope. He was lost at sea, three years ago.
 Poor Hannah. You must have suf- fered."
 have suffered, sir; and yet I have been greatly blessed. Heaven hath sent 10 me friend who has been helper and comforter indeed. An few are the friends like him."
 Is he 2 relativef" asked Mr. Ral- com.
 Mo- replied the widow. "He is ours by nc tie of kin-only by the ties of love and goodwill. He was lacks play mate and chum. His own mother died long ago, and often, when Jack was a, home, he made our cot his home for weeks at a time. When Jack went away the last time, he said to his fricnd-it