The pale cheek of Mrs. Mayberry grew paler at this proposition. She half-sobbed, caught her breath, and looked her adviser with a strange bewildered stare in the face.
“Oh, no! I cannot do that! I cannot be separated from my dear little children. Who will care for them like a mother?”
“It is hard, I know, Mrs. Mayberry. But necessity is a stern ruler. You cannot keep them with you—that is certain. You have not the strength to provide them with even the coarsest food. In an asylum, with a kind matron, they will be better off than under any other circumstances.”
But Mrs. Mayberry shook her head.
“No—no—no,” she replied—”I cannot think of such a thing. I cannot be separated from them. I shall soon be able to work again—better able than before.”
The neighbor who felt deeply for her, did not urge the matter. When Hiram returned at dinner-time, his face had in it a more animated expression than usual.
“Mother,” he said, as soon as he came in, “I heard to-day that a boy was wanted at the Gazette office, who could write a good hand. The wages are to be four dollars a week.”
“You did!” Mrs. Mayberry said, quickly, her weak frame trembling, although she struggled hard to be composed.
“Yes. And Mr. Easy is well acquainted with the publisher, and could get me the place, I am sure.”
“Then go and see him at once, Hiram. If you can secure it, all will be well; if not, your little brothers and sisters will have to be separated, perhaps sent into an orphan asylum.”
Mrs. Mayberry covered her face with her hands, and sobbed bitterly for some moments.
Hiram eat his frugal meal quickly, and returned to the store, where he had to remain until his employer went home and dined. On his return, he asked liberty to be absent for half an hour, which was granted. He then went direct to the counting-house of Mr. Easy, and disturbed him, as has been seen. Approaching with a timid step, and a flushed brow, he said in a confused and hurried manner—
“Mr. Easy, there is a lad wanted at the Gazette Office.”
“Well?” returned Mr. Easy, in no very cordial tone.
“Mother thought you would be kind enough to speak to Mr. G—for me.”
“Haven’t you a place in a store?”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t get any wages. And at the Gazette office they will pay four dollars a week.”
“But the knowledge of business to be gained where you are, will be worth a great deal more than four dollars a week.”
“I know that, sir. But mother is not able to board and clothe me. I must earn something.”
“Oh, aye, that’s it. Very well, I’ll see about it for you.”
“When shall I call, sir?” asked Hiram.
“When? Oh, almost any time. Say to-morrow or next day.”
The lad departed, and Mr. Easy’s head fell back upon the chair, the impression which had been made upon his mind passing away almost as quickly as writing upon water.
With anxious trembling hearts, did Mrs. Mayberry and her son wait for the afternoon of the succeeding day. On the success of Mr. Easy’s application rested all their hopes. Neither she nor Hiram eat over a few mouthfuls at dinner-time. The latter hurried away, and returned to the store, there to wait with trembling eagerness, until his employer should return from dinner, and he again be free to go and see Mr. Easy.
To Mrs. Mayberry, the afternoon passed slowly.
She had forgotten to tell her son to return home immediately, if the application should be successful. He did not come back, and she had, consequently to remain in a state of anxious suspense, until dark. He came in at the usual hour. His dejected countenance told of disappointment.
“Did you see Mr. Easy?” Mrs. Mayberry asked, in a low, troubled voice.
“Yes. But he hadn’t been to the Gazette office. He said he had been very busy. But that he would
Nothing more was said. The mother and son, after sitting silent and pensive during the evening, retired early to bed. On the next day, urged on by his anxious desire to get the situation of which he had heard, Hiram again called at the counting-room of Mr. Easy, his heart trembling with hope and fear. There were two or three men present. Mr. Easy cast upon him rather an impatient look as he entered. His appearance had evidently annoyed the merchant. Had he consulted his feelings, he would have retired at once. But there was too much at stake. Gliding to a corner of the room, he stood, with his hat in his hand, and a look of anxiety upon his face, until Mr. Easy was disengaged. At length, the gentleman with whom he was occupied, went away, and Mr. Easy turned toward the boy. Hiram looked up earnestly in his face.
“I have really been so much occupied, my lad,” the merchant said, in a kind of apologetic tone, “as to have entirely forgotten my promise to you. But I
Hiram made no answer, but turned with a sigh toward the door. The keen disappointment expressed in the boy’s, face, and the touching quietness of his manner, reached the feelings of Mr. Easy. He was not a hard-hearted man, but selfishly indifferent to others. He could feel deeply enough if he would permit himself to do so. But of this latter feeling he was not often guilty.
“Stop a minute,” he said. And then stood in a musing attitude for a moment or two. “As you seem so anxious about this matter,” he added “if will wait here a little while, I will step down to see Mr. G—at once.”
The boy’s face brightened instantly. Mr. Easy saw the effect of what he said, and it made the task he was about entering upon reluctantly, an easy one. The boy waited for nearly a quarter of an hour, so eager to know the
