San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-12
WHAT A MARCH WIND DID.

1t blew and howled and shrieked and
whistled, and did everything that wind
could do in the way of noise and confusion.
But think the queerest thing it was guilty
of that day was to snatch up bank bill for
500 from Lawyer Eldons desk, where he
was counting some money, and carry it out
of the open window. He ran down stairs
after it, but by the time he had reached the
street the bill was out of sight.
Mr.. Eldon looked at the crowded sidewalks,
and felt that it would be hopeless quest to
follow money which by that time was either
in the pocket of some passerby or lodged on
the roof of some house.
Mr.. Eldon was greatly annoyed. The
money he was counting was not his own, but
a clients, and he knew he would have to re-
place it. He did not like to lose money under
any circumstances, but TO lose it in this sense
less manner, and when he could bring no &C
ton in a court of law against the audacious
robber, was more than his equanimity could
stand
Its the hardest thing that ever happened
to mel" he cried, throwing himself in his
arm chair and garing angrily around him.
Its all that confounded woman Simpsons
fault What did she mean 10y leaving both
windows open and a strong draught through
the rooml A nice housekeeper she Isl It's
not the only instance Of her thoughtleSsness.
I'll dismiss her this very day. I've great
mind not to pay her a cent of her last months
wages"
But he remembered that Mrs. Simpson
might declare that he had given her strict
orders, when she cleaned his house and Office
on pleasant days, to leave the windows up for
an hour, that the fresh air might circulate
So as no blame could be attached to anything
but the wind which was not responsible
party, the lawyer had to content himself
with grumbling against his own bad luck.
In small house on the very outskirts Of
the town there was no grumbling that morn
ing. 1t was tiny little place, with flower
beds in front and a trellis against which a
large Marechal Mel rose was twined.
In the front room, very bare of furniture
but shining with neatness, Mrs Grafton sat
at her sewing machine. Her son John, lad
of IS, had Just arisen from his breakfast, and
was buttoning up his jacket before facing
the sharp wind which was screeching round
the cottage.
Mrs. Grafton was a bright, active little
woman, hardly past middle age. She was
poorly dressed, but Enthusiastically lady. In
every line of her resolute face, in every tone
of her cheerful voice you recognized one of
those rare natures which can put aside all
regrets, all vain repinings for the past, and
throw themselves heart and soul into the
work of the day.
John was not handsome boy, but his face
repeated some Of the strong, resolute lines
which marked his mothers, and the same
cheerful light shone from his brown eyes.
His fault was that when he wanted anything
he wanted it so passionately that it possessed
his whole being and he would sacrifice any
thing to attain it.
"Whew! How that wind does blow" John
cried, shivering. at chills tho marrow in
my bones to think of facing it all the way to
the warehouse Old Hansell is always cross
in this kind of weather, and he'll make me
fetch and carry and hustle me around till Pm
tired enough to drop. Oh, you needn't look
at me, motherw with laugh. Ibid you
ever know me to shirk work? l don't expect
to be errand boy or boy of all work in a ware
house all the days of my life"
81 hope not" she answered, gravely. "But
then, don't you know, my son, it depends
very much upon how you do your duty as
errand boy whether you will rise or notl
Hard work will never keep you down In
fact, it is the stepping stone by which all poor
boys rise"
John paused, with his hand on the latch
even if l do well, mother" he said, and
there was a discontinued ring in his voice, 81
have no education but the little you have
been able to give me. Oh, how do long to
go to SCHOOL, That wouldn't cost me any
thing, you know, for the public schools here
are splendid; but then we'd starve if I stop
work.