The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-11-03
IN THE NICK OF TIME.
"a STORY OF COURAGE,

nGQn
employed by the Hammond Rrothon-
ms integrity, industry and business
tact had brought him from Office how
70 confidential man. The Ham.
monds are not unappreciative of his
worth and are now about to bestou
the deserved reward.
Ben had some collecting to do out in
Andover, and is hurriedly leaving tho
once TO catch the suburban train
isaiah Hammond calls to him
handing him a paper, saying, Read if
at your leisure"
oh the train he read the letter. The
nrm thanks him for his years of faith
Iul service and invites him to inv, e.
MS savings in its successful busi-
ness
AT last can it be? Els great ambi-
tlon Is about to be realized. How
OFTEN had written III almond. Ham
mona " Drew just to see how II
would look. Now it hal become a nos.
slhllity. But, alas, why reioice9
what mad he to invest? The care Of
widowed mother and an invalid sis
ter had made saving an impossibility
He makes his collections and is re-
turning to the city, sad and discour
aged
But why despair with roll of bills
IN his pocket? There's Gray's resort,
where nightly fortunes were lost and
won. He had never gambled. but
could play well apd bad no fear of
losing. He is the best player in their
social club. Why not make it pay him
Tor once? Yes, he would. The office
Is closed now and he cannot report
before morning. He would Just use
1t and let it make his fortune. He did
not go home to supper, but went to a
restaurant On leaving the restaurant
he turns from the busy thoroughfare
into a quiet street, where a large
s0ade tree makes it quite dark.
A woman comes out of one of the
handsome stone mansions and walks
along just in front Of him. Presently
out from behind tree, man steps
quickly, and, placing hand over her
mouth, with the other reaches for
what he thinks is her purse. In an
instant Ben is by her side, and with
blow sends the rufiian staggering into
the street.
Il trust you are not hurt?" A pair
of bright eyes are looking up into his
a sweet tremulous voice says: mo,
/ in inpa1 MI 10
ly rescue"
Ben bowed, and, with your permits
sion I'll follow you until you are out
of this dark street" You are kind.
indeed, sir I'm only going across the
way to the church. It's the holy
hour | think he mstook my prayer
book for a purse
The clock is striking and the pco-
pie are passing out. When she leaves
he follows. Outside she turns to him
and smiles. There is something about
him that makes her feel he can he
trusted. When he had seen her safe
~ home and had again received her
thanks and her goodnight he went
straight home. That holy hour" was
one never to be forgotten by Ben
Drew. From what had he been saved:
the commission of scrime that
would probably have diSgraced him
forever
The next morning he made his re-
port and thanked Mr. Hammond for
the kind offer that he must of neces
Sity decline to accept. Being pressed
for the reason he told the truth mod
estly and simply. You've made a
better investment, Ben, and | have no
doubt that it will bring you hand
some return. If you haven't money
you have the love of a grateful mother
and sister to make you happy. Our
offer holds good, and when you are
ready to join us we'll be glad to take
you in" He reached TO take Ben's
hand, but seeing it was bandaged in
quired what was the matter.
Ben blushed. "It's only a little
bruised Came in rather close contact
abruptly with a hard-faced fellow
who was holding up young lady last
night"
What! Was it you? Why"
But Mr.. Hammond did not finish,
but turned and hurried away, and Fen
soon forgot his strange conduct.
Mr.. Hammond left the Office early.
and Ben was about to leave for home
when messenger came in and hand
ed him letter. Imagine his delight
and surprise on reading to learn that
Miss Hortense Hammond would he
pleased to have him call that evening.
Her father, Mr.. Isaiah Hammond,
wished to thank him for the gseat SER
vice he had rendered her. etc.
1t is the holy hour" and in ST. -
church Ben Drew, of Hammond,
Hammond & Drew" with his wife,
Hortense, is kneeling at the foot Of
the crucifiX. He is making an acE of
thanksgiving for the grace he received
there a few years ago to resist the
temptation that so nearly overcame
him, and for the priceless gift of his
beautiful and devoted wife.-BoSt
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