St. Landry democrat., 1890-09-06
Hsrv's Reward.

III can reach the home of, Mr.. Gordon,
before he departs, all will be we'll, and
then shall have done something towards
repaying him for his kindness to me-"
The speaker was ragged little urshin
not more than thirteen years OF age, but
whose face might have been handsome
we're it not for heightened color of scar
let brought on by the heat of the day and
rapid walking. 1t was warm day IN
June, and Harry Harrison had walked a
long way in very short time to acquant
Mr.. Gordon, the wealthy merchant, with
| the fact that plot had been laid to rob
| him of large sum of money which he
was to carry that afternoon from the bank
to his place of business
The brave little fellow trudged on until
he stood before the door of MIR. Gordon's
handsome residence. There he was met
by Mr.. Gordon's son, George, little boy
of about his own age, who accosted him
| thus:
scout with you, you ragged young beg
gar I'd like to know what business you
have to prowl around here"
The blood rushed to Harry's face, but he
only answered:
Il came here to speak to Mr. Gordon,
not to quarrel with you"
"Do you suppose | would quarrel with a
beggarf" George asked.
Il suppose nothing of the kind know
that you are picking quarrel with me
now," Harry answered "but | will mot
quarrel with you. and as my business with
your father is important, may see him,
| pleasef'
"Your business with my father must be
| postponed until some future time as he
| don't receive tramps at this hour" George
answered.
Nevertheless he will receive me-" re-
| piled Harry, sand even you would be a
| little more gracious If you knew what i'm
| portant inform alton | have to comm uni
cate"
The earnestness of his voice and manner
caused George to wish that he had not
been quite so hasty, and he replied: 81
will speak to my father, and perhaps he
will receive you"
| George went in but soon returned to tell
Harry that his father would see him Then
he led him into the house and the presence
of his father and withdrew.
! Mr.. Gordon eyed Harry with look of
inquiry, and said: You wish to speak to
me, but first tell me have ever seen you
before9"
Yes, SIR" Harry answered, "about a
year ago was knocked down in the park
by your horses, and had my arm broken.
You paid all my expenses and was very
kind to me- And for that inters st that you
took in my welfare then, / came to day to
inform you of plot laid to rob you this
afternoon of the money that you are going
to carry from the bank to your store on
| Cross street"
my boy, what do you know of this p
Mr.. Gordon asked excitedly.
81 know from the conversation that /
overheard between two robbers and your
bookkeeper, Hale"
"Hale the most trustworthy man in
my employ I" cried Mr.. Gordon; "boy, are
| you sure there is no mistaken
"No, sir; there can be no mistake, for /
heard my father call him by that name
several times"
"Has your father anything to do with
this intended robbery p Mr.. Gordon asked.
Yes, sir" Harry answered, looking
down; che was one of the men with whom
Hale was talking"
! me this when your father is concerned in
| it," Mr.. Gordon asked.
| al never did like my father to rob peo-
PiO, 1CpAko0 anu "AOA AOe@A "a
them plot against the man who was so
kind to me when | was in trouble,
couldn't stand it any longer, and this
morning left him and came here to tell,
so as to defeat their game If possible. He
will kill me when he finds it out, but, Mr..
Gordon, and his face put ON beseeching
look, "please don't be hard on him, for
he was a good man before he began to
drink.
Mr.. Gordon promised that he would
not, and continued:
| 81 was interested in you at the time of
your sickness, am more so now, for by
your conduct to-day you have proved
yourself to be a brave and honest boy:
You need not return to your old life, for
will give you home here. may, do not
thank me, he said, as Harry seized his
hand, 81 expect something in return l
overheard the dialogue between yourself
and my son George, and feel convinced
that he needs some one of his own age to
set him an example. know of no one
in whom l can place SO much confidence as
yourself.
Mr. Gordon called George, and made him
cognizant of all that had transpired, and
then left Immediately for his Office. 1t is
needless to say that the plot to rob him
was failure, and Mr.. Gordon true to his
promise. was not hard on Harry's father ;
after giving up to Mr.. Gordon all claim
upon Harry, he was released, and soon
after left the country with the other
villain. Hale. the book-keeper, was dis
charged from Mr.. Gordon's service and
never heard of afterward.
Harry still lives with the Gordon
family he and George are fast friends,
and often laugh over their first meeting.
| of which George is very much ashamed
The thought of his father always brings a
cloud to Harry's brow, which clears awav
when he thinks of Mr.. Gordon's kindness.
Mr.. Gordon is never sorry for having
taken Harry into his family, for he has by
his oblig'ng and courteous manners made
George better boy.-1he Domestic Jour-
nGI
The Boy Martyrs.
The days when people are called upon
| to die for Christ have not vet passed away