88 I'LL SEE ABOUT IT.

 

After saying this, the merchant placed
his thumbs in the armholes of his waist-
coat, and commenced walking the floor of
his counting-room, backwards and forwards.
He could not get out of his mind the image
of the boy as he turned from him in tears,
nor drive away thoughts of the friend’s
widow whom he had neglected. This state
of mind continued all the afternoon. Its na-
tural effect was to cause him to cast about
in his mind for some way of getting em-
ployment for Hiram that would yield imme-
diate returns. But nothing presented itself.

“TI wonder if I couldn’t make room for
him here?” he at length said. ‘ He looks
like a bright boy. I know Mr. is high-
ly pleased with him. He spoke of getting
four dollars a week. That’s a good deal to
give to a mere lad. But, I suppose I might
make him worth that to me. And now I
begin to think seriously about the matter,
I believe I cannot keep a clear conscience
and any longer remain indifferent to the
welfare of my old friend’s widow and chil-