The Somerset reporter., 1885-12-30
SELECTED.
(For the Reporter.)
A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

A tall, stability dressed lad, stood b,
| the counter in IL handsome city store
looking over the beautiful display o.
New Years cards
"If Willie was only well, | wouldn
care so much about nice one" he muir
INJURED, uncOnsciously uttering hi,
thoughts.
Your brother?" softly inquired tn,
young girl behind the counter.
Eyes Miss" said the boy, looking VI
quickly. "Ilc is "A cripple and is just as
good and patient as he can be. irish
could afford to buy him that card, ;" he ad
dcd, looking wishfully at beautiful
hand-painted one.
perhaps one of these would pleas,
him." said the girl, handing him pack
age Of cheap, hut pretty cards. "Pcast
excuse me for IL moment?" she said, anc
eav ny him to look them over, she step
ped quickly across the store, to where
was standing Il tall, pleasant-looking
gentleman who had been quietly watch
ng this littlt by-play.
We'll Gcrtic," said he with the air OF
one who knows what to expect, Il sup.
pose you want to dispose of a few NOR,
cards to Il poor, but honest family, at the
usual rates. Really, YOU are the most
Improbable clerk in the establishments
"Now papa" said Gertie You are too
bad; confess that have been lots of
help to You through the holidays, and all
the pay ask is the privilege of giving
away Il few cards now and then And
papa; this boy * real nice and honest
and wants card for his sick brother
GLOW do you know he is nice and
honest" gravcly inquired the gentleman
by his looks, replied Gertie earnest
ly.
well, well PuSS, run along and give
him as many as you like; but ned Neal
young lady, you see if you can coax youl
way in behind my counters said the
gentleman, assuming an injured and in
indignant air
With a low courtesy, and kiss from
tn tips of her pretty fingers, the Cir
turned, and hittod behind the counter.
~ will take this card if you please,
said the boy, pointing to a little cheaI
one. selected rom the ones She had hand
cd him.
Grrtic, in the meanwhile. WAS bu>ly So
Letting a few lovely ones. among them
the very one he so coveted. and putting
them in Il large envelope. There she
exclaimed "lecfully, "theSc are all fol
your poor little brother. hope lie vii
like Them
"For Willie: inquired the boy wonder
ngly. 80, how pleased he will be" he
exclaimed as he began to realize Gertic'>
intentions.
II wou!dln't accept them for myself
said he, lifting his heat proudly, "but
know if you could only see Willie, YOU
would think he deserved almost anything
You see we didn't have much of II Christ.
mas at our house this year, mother
couldn't afford it," he added in Il boySh
burst of confidence. I've only been IN
town three days, and haven't earncC
much money yet said the boy deSpond
emily.
"iIavc You und Il pleasant place t,
work! :" inquired Geriie kindly.
Il haven found any permanent place
vet. replied the lad, "only few crrand,
to do at two or three places.
NV it "A moment, suddenly exclaimed
Gcrtic. leaving the wondering boy an,
rushing over Ia where her father was >tll
standing Papa why can't this hoy
take Bartlett : place in the store eager
| ly inquired the girl
| "What is his name" asked the gentle
man eagerly.
why papa. haven't asked him" sal,
Gertc.
"Scnd him over to me and | will tail
with him | like his looks
| Delighted AT this, Gcrtie hastcnct
back to the boy and informed him tina
cher papa wanted TO talk to him" point
ing out to him the gentleman in question
"Wondcrin@ly the boy oheyed the sum
mons. My name is Manning" said tn,
gentleman smiling pleasantly, rs the hoy
approached, cap in hand. And mine l.
Frank Richards" said the boy.
WAS your mothers maiden name Den
mis-, Mary Dennis inquired Mr. Man
ming.
Yes sir" replied Frank in a>toni>h-
mcnt: "but how did YOU know that; per
haps you knew her, sir he eagerly adj
ded
II did know her well-once-" softly
replied Mr.. Manning,
80, | am so glad, :" exclaimed Frank il
delight, feeling a> though lac had found +
friend.
"Is your father living" inquired Mr.
Manning.
Father died -four years ago, rcplicC
the boy sadly.
WAS your mother left in comfortabl,
circumstances" inquired Mr.. Manning
with the air of one who has right tC
know.
mo sir" frankly replied the boy, ''w'
are very poor"
And my tu.ciIter tells me you have {
brother who il a cripple
Yes sir. poor little Willie will never
walk again. sadly replied the boy.
What was the cause of his misfor
tme?"
"A bad fall" replied Frank briefly.
w tn Il keen look at the boys down
cast face MIR. Manning drew his owl
conclusions. The old story--a drunken
father, Il little child dropped from arm
weakened by drink-a season of gric
and angui>h-and child crippled 70
| life.
well Frank" said Mr.. Manning cheer
fully, IL hear that YOU are in search of
place to work. Perhaps can give yo
something to do.
80 sir. If You will give me place
will work so hard, anxiously.
I'VE need n clerk; one of our best enc
was Obliged to leave few days az
Gertic has coaxed herself into his shoes
much against my desire, and want som
one immediately" said Mr.. Manning,
a.uR ..,tNn laA atr I will n