Ohio standard and observer., 1900-01-27
IN THE NICK OF TIME.
"a STORY OF couRAcgA

ca ny the hammond Brothers
y ms Integrity, industry and bushes,
tact had brought him from Office bo,
! 70 confidential man The Ham
monds are not unappreciative of bis
Worth and are now about to bestow
the deserved reward.
Ben had some collecting to do ont in
, Andover, and is hurriedly leaving tbo
oHice to catch the suburban train,
isaiah Hammond calls to him.
haholng him a paper, saying, Read it
at your leisure"
on the train he read the letter The
nrm thanks him for his years of faith.
IuI service and invites him to invest
his savings in its successful busi.
ness.
At last can it be? His great amb,.
'loh IS about to be realized. How
often had he written Hammond, Ham
mona & Drew just to see how n
would look. Now it had become a DOS
slblllty. But, alas, why reioicef
What had he to invest? The care Of
a widowed mother and an invalid sis.
Ter had made saving an impossibility.
lie makes his collections and is re.
turning to the city, sad and discour-
aged.
But why despair with a 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 and had no fear of
losing. He is the best player in their
social club. Why not make it pay him
FOR once? Yes, he would. The Office
Is closed now and he cannot report
hetore morning. He would lust use
1t and let it make his fortune. He did |
not go home to supper, but went to a |
restaurant On leaving the restaurant |
ne turns from the busy thoroughfare
into a quiet street, where a large |
shade 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 a tree, man steps
quickly, and, placing a 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 a
blow sends the rufian staggering into
the street
Il trust you are not hurt?" A pair
OF bright eyes are looking up into his
sweet, tremulous voice says: "No.
l am not injured, thanks to your time
ly rescue"
Ben bowed, and, with your permis-
sion I'll follow You until yen are out
of this dark street" "You are kind.
indeed, sir; Pm only going across the
way to the church. It's the holy
hour l think he mistook my prayer
book for a purse"
The clock is striking 8 and the peo.
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 be
trusted. When he had seen her safe
y home and had again received her !
hanks and her goodnight he went
straight home. That "holy hour" was a
'ne never to be forgotten by Ben
Drew. From what had he been saved?
the commission Of a crime that
would probably have disgraced him
oreyer.
'ort and thanked Mr.. Hammond for
he kind offer that he must of neces-
lty decline to accept. Being pressed
or the reason he told the truth mod
stly and simply. you've made q
etter investment, Ben, and l have no
oubt that it viii bring you a hand
ONE return. If you haven't money
on have the love of a grateful mother
nd sister to make you happy. Our
ffer holds good and when you are
aady to join us Wen be glad to take
ou in" He reached to take Ben's
and, but seeing it was bandaged in
uired what was the matter
Ben blushed. It's only a little :
'uised. Came in rather close contact =
lruptly with a hard-faced fellow -
no was holding up a young lady last
ght"
What Was it you? Why" &
But Mr. Hammond did not finish, n
1t turned and hurried away, and Ben q
on forgot his strange conduct. =
Mr.. Hammond left the Office early, q
Id Ben was about to leave for home 3
hen a messenger came In and hand e
him letter. Imagine his delight g.
I'd surprise on reading to learn that
lss Hortense Hammond would be "a
eaSed to have him call that evening. q
pr father, Mr.. Isaiah Hammond,
shed to thank him for the great SER s.
ce he had rendered her, etc.
1t is the 'holy hour" and in st. -
lurch Ben Drew, Of Hammond,
6 Drew" with his wife, T
ortense, is kneeling at the foot of
e cruciiX. He is making an act of
for the grace he received Tn
ere a few years ago to resist the eel
nptation that so nearly overcame
n, and for the priceless gift of his
autiful and devoted wife.-Boston
ST.