Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-11-28

tated worse than he ever thought no
possibly could. Mack, of the glib
tongue and lofty ways among boys.
Mr.. Sumner was to the world very
sober man; slow to speak or smile or
take notice of people in general; but,
like Abraham Lincoln, that rare smile
was warming and full of light. 1t fell
generously upon the poor and SORROW
full, and most tenderly upon the weak.
lie lifted his splendid head and hand
some face toward the door as Mack's
"Bobs"and "Misters" and low bows at
tracted his attention.
Robert said aside: My friend who
came to the house, Mr.. Sumner"
"Ah, yes. Good day, my boy. One Of
the new firm? Yes, remember all
about the lunch business. Have you
made n start YETI"
Mack had stepped quite close to the
great man, who smiled so kindly.
All ready, -but-the letter, sir
to Mr.. Hobbs, about the stand"
"Of course, that must be done. Twill
write to Mr.. Hobbs about the stand,
opposite his own. He is a friend OF
mine and will look after your business
little"
And that was the beginning Of Mack
& Co.'s lunch stand" Robert was the
Co., or as Mr.. Sumner put it, "the silent
partner"
"You see, Mr.. Sumner" explained
Robert to his best friend, "Mack's IA
ther was killed on the railroad; his
mother was sick, they had no money,
only Mack's little bootblack's change.
His two sisters went to the asylum anti
Mack was quite broken up. took him
home to supper one night. Why,
mother just cried to see him so poor and
discouraged. She went away into the
bedroom and thought minute and
prayed (mother always does il she's III
trouble.) Then she talked it over with
us two boys, and talked it over with
you, and you asked Mr.. Hobbs to be
surety for our stand, and mother
makes all the doughnuts, and little
pies, and l pay Cousin Jenny, who is
quite poor, to help us in fresh rolls and
good bread for sandwiches. So we arc
getting along tiptop."
"How much money did you put in the
firm, Robert?"
Fifteen dollars. sir. had saved 1t
up for the business college, of evenings,
you know, but-but-Mack was so dis
couraged, and you help me SO much
with my books, Mr.. Sumner, / thought
well, / thought, il we had good luck,
we could both go next winter"
III E.. =.
ner's wonderful voice had thrilled
crowded halls of great men and women,
had stirred the halls of congress as
none other could, but never did his voice
ring more tenderly, more unsteady,
than when he laid his hand on the little
lads head and said: Robert, this is
not an everyday story of success, nor an
everyday philanthropy, but you are
good boy, and the right stuff is within
you"
The business prospered. The firm
went TO the business college for ono
year. At noon time, when clerks and
hungry school children enjoyed home
doughnuts and splendid pies, Mack was
the CHEEKY, well-to-do salesman, though
handsome, tall boy often sat at the
cash drawer, not too proud "to help out
in busy time"
Many years later, when the great
Charles Sumner was dead and whole
nation wept and mourned, two young
men made a journey to his last home.
They reverently kissed his cold, still
hands and tears dropped on the silver
plate bearing his name. Flowers have
lain on his grave, and friends have
grieved, but none have more worshipcd
the memory of Charles Sumner than
the two boys of the 'lunch stand" of the
long-ago days.-Margaret Spencer, in
Chicago Inter Ocean.