The morning call., 1890-05-06
CAST UPON THE WATERS

ferent lands and different chimes according
as they reach the ground on one side or
other of the dividing point, although fall
ing but single foot apart, so our material
prosperity, or the reverse, often seems to
depend upon acts which. at the time, were
considered scarcely worthy of single
thought.
The following story, substantially true,
will Illustrate my meaning:
Not many years ago, during one of the
most severe snow-storms ever known in
N. an old man carrying a huge
valise was trudgng along toward the
railroad station of c.. Without any
incumbrance the task would have been
hard ope, but laden as he was, he could
scarcely make his way against the cutting
wind and the driving snow. Once he
stopped, and for moment seemed to hest
tate as to whether he would proceed or not.
But the distance was short, and SO, gather
ing up his strength for final effort, the
traveller again bravely faced the elements.
The storm, so fierce and unpleasant to age
and intrmity, brought excitement and pleas
ure to lad perhaps dozen years old, who
Just then came up on his way to school. He
was accompanied by large black dog, with
shaggy coat, completely covered with
snow, and harnesSed TO sled. The drifts,
big as they were, did not stop this couple.
Ever and anon the boy screamed with de-
light as he witnessed the efforts of his COM
panion in pulling the sled along through the
piles of snow, while the gOOd-natured ami
NAL, seemingly as much excited as his young
MASTER baTked aloud in return.
Here, Carlo" said the lad, as he arrived
where the old man was standing, there's
job for you. ! on must take this luggage to
the railroad station. You are going there,
are you not, sir?" he continued, addressing
the stranger.
Eyes nv bow I am But"
NAY. sir; no butts. You are too heavily
laden. You see, Carlo and | run general
express this morning. He's lazy dog,
considering what he has to eat-aint you,
Cario?"
The dog gave shrill bark as if inclined
to dispute the point.
80 let me have your valse, sir, and We'll
whistle to the station in a jiffy."
The old man would have objected, but he
was really gratifed at this attention to his
comfort and amused at the frank cOrdiality
OF the boy. So he quietly gave up his
valise, and 1t was soon placed on the sled.
Either Carlo was little veXed at being
called lazy, or he was too anxious 10 arrive
at the place of his destination with the lug
gage; Tor. giving sudden start, over went
the sled IN one direction, While the yaliSe
went into drift in another, the dog at the
same time going head and ears into the
snow. A scream of delight burst from the
lad, in which the old man could not help
joining, as Carlo scrambled up, whining
and shaking his shaggy coat.
My horse is not well broken, you see,
SIT, said tile lad as soon as lie could speak
but your vaiSe is unframed. We must
try once more"
The luggage was again secured on the
sled, and this time Carlo landed it safe at
the station, pulling his young master a
part of the way along with it,
There you are, sill" said the lad to the
stranger as he came up, safe and sound,
and there's your check. You must excuse
the liberty took, but really thought you
were too heavily laden for such o stormy
day."
=. But your pay?" suggested the old man.
"Oh, Pll charge that. Pay once in SIX
months. Come, Carlo"
The old man was too busy brushing off
the snow and undoing his muller to reply
at one e. When lie turned around, both how
and dog had disappeared. just then the
shrill whistle of the approaching train
sounded, leaving no time to inquire who
his little friend was. So he took his seat in
the cars and was borne on his way to his
home. Mr. Woodworth-for that was the
old mans name-was well-tO-do trader in
the city some dozen miles away. He had
come out the previous evening on a matter
OF business. Having been detained longer
than he expected, the storm came on sud-
denly and he was induced to stop over
night After breakfast, hardly being aware
OF the violence of the storm, or the depth
OF the snow which had already fallen, he had
attempted to reach the railroad station on
foot, carrying his valiSe in his hand. But
although, as has been stated, the distance
was not great, the deep snow made deeper
where drltted, soon tired him, and it was
then that the event which we have Just
spoken of took place. 1t was not until he
was comfortably seated and the cars were
IN motion that IL occurred to MIR. Wood
worth that he had not thanked his little
friend-that he had not even asked his
name. Everything had been transacted so
suddenly that tire whole adventure seemed
more like dream than reality. But then
he knew it was not dream, and he PROM
lsed himself that he would, ere many days,
make another visit to the village, find out
the name of the clever boy, and in some
way reward him for his act of polteness.
But amid the whirl OF business this good
resolution was forgotten, as many others
are. Our lives furnish us with numberless
opportunities for doing good acts, and very
often we resolve that We will not let them
pass away unimproved. But we permit the
good intention to wait our convenience to
grow dim, TO fade away, and then to be al
together forgotten, simply because we do
not do promptly what our hearts dictate
should be done. 1t was several months be-
tore Mr.. WoOdworth again visited the vii
| lage to inquire after his little friend. He
| was too late. No one knew of any boy who
| had large black dog, and no one seemed
| to have any recollection Of the events Just
recorded; and so Mr.. Woodwork returned
home earnestly resolved, if lie ever had an
| other act of kindness shown him, to acknowl-
edge and reward it on the instant. Did he
keep his resolution?
More than two years passed by, when,
| one afternoon in summer time, Mr.. Wood
| worth sat alone in his cOunting-roOm in
| the city. Through the window which sep
arated his office from the store he saw a
| poorly dressed young man talking with one
| OF his clerks, and sgnifed his wish to have
the man come into the countlng-room. after
| learning from the clerk that lie had applied
| for employment.
You wish employment" Mr.. Wood
worth asked, as the young man approached
respectfully.
II should indeed like to find something
to do for mothers sake" and the poor fell
low had to bite his lip To restrain his te ars
Have you no fatherY
No, sir; father died over two years ago,
and since then mother has found it quite
difficult TO maintain her family myself and
| three younger sisters"
- DO you write good hand?" inquired
Mr.. Woodwork.
VERY fair; what l have learned has
been mostly at home. / wrote these" he
SAID, and he passed some papers to Mr..
Woodworth, who carefully examined them.
What is your name and age?"
Raymond, sir; Harry Raymond. am
nearly 16."
Do you own large. black dog called
CaIlo?" asked Mr.. Woodwork.
The young man was greatly surprised AT
this question, but he managed to reply,
oh, we did. sir, two years ago. How did
you know? But when father died we had
to sell him."
Do you know where lie is?"
Yes, indeed, we do. We would buy him
again if we could afford it. He was a favor
lite with us all. We should not have sold
him to stranger, but our uncle agreed to
take him for $50 and sell him back again
at the same price ii we ever wanted him"
-" Well. Harry" said Mr.. Woodwork, de-
llberately taking out his pocket-book and
handing him SO, " the first thing you do
after you go home buy Carlo and take him
home again."
II the young man was surprised before,
he was now nearly struck dumb with aston.
ishment. Oh, thank you, thank you a
mans hand; but why; do You take so
much interest in our dear old Carlo?"
Because it pleases me to reward Won