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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36493-h.zip b/36493-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e007876 --- /dev/null +++ b/36493-h.zip diff --git a/36493-h/36493-h.htm b/36493-h/36493-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4587c1c --- /dev/null +++ b/36493-h/36493-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2240 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Owen's Fortune; or, "Durable Riches," by Mrs. F. West. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + +p { margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + +hr {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + +table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + +a {text-decoration: none;} + +.pagenum { position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} + +.blockquot {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} +.caption {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} +.big {font-size: 125%;} +.huge {font-size: 150%;} +.giant {font-size: 200%;} + +img.cap { float:left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; position:relative;} +p.cap_1 {text-indent: -.75em; } +p.cap_2 {text-indent: -1.2em;} +div.drop p:first-letter { color:Window; } +div.drop p { margin-bottom:0; } + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Owen's Fortune, by Mrs. F. West + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Owen's Fortune + Or, "Durable Riches" + +Author: Mrs. F. West + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36493] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OWEN'S FORTUNE *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Brett Fishburne, Dave Morgan, +David E. Brown and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/front.jpg" alt="" /></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-frontis.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption">"OWEN ... MADE A DART AFTER THE LITTLE + CREATURE."--<a href="#Page_9"><i>Page 9.</i></a></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">OWEN'S FORTUNE;</span></p> + +<p class="center">OR,</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="huge">"DURABLE RICHES."</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">BY</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="huge">MRS. F. WEST,</span></p> + +<p class="center">AUTHOR OF "FRYING-PAN ALLEY," "THE BATTLE-FIELD,"<br/> +ETC.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="big">NEW YORK:<br /> +E. P. DUTTON & CO.,</span><br /> +31, WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET.</p> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-contents.jpg" alt="CONTENTS" /></div> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td><small>CHAP.</small></td><td> </td><td><small> PAGE</small></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#Page_7">I.</a></td><td>THE RESOLVE,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_7"> 7</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#Page_17">II.</a></td><td> CHANGES,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_17"> 17</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#Page_26">III.</a></td><td> MAKING HIS FORTUNE,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_26"> 26</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#Page_37">IV.</a></td><td> AN UNEXPECTED TRIAL,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_37"> 37</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#Page_46">V.</a></td><td> SUNSHINE AND SHADE,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_46"> 46</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><a href="#Page_56">VI.</a></td><td> "POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH,"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_56"> 56</a></td></tr></table> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p7-1.jpg" alt="" /></div> + +<p class="center"><span class="huge">OWEN'S FORTUNE.</span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p7-2.jpg" alt="" /></div> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CHAPTER I.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">THE RESOLVE.</span></p> +<p> </p> + +<div class="drop"> +<img src="images/ill-p7-3.jpg" alt="I" width="75" height="100" class="cap" /> +<p class="cap_1">IT was a lovely fresh autumn afternoon; there were still a few blossoms +in the cottage gardens, and the leaves which were left on the trees were +coloured rich crimson and gold and brown, causing them to look almost +like flowers ere they dropped off the branches to make room for the +young buds that were swelling underneath, and silently preparing for the +spring.</p></div> + +<p>But two boys, who were in the woods just outside the village, were far +too occupied to notice the leaves. They were searching for nuts; and a +basket on the ground, already more than half filled, showed that their +search had not been in vain. The younger of the two, Owen Hadleigh, was +a fine, strong, intelligent boy of about fourteen years <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>of age; his +bright, dark eye was full of merriment as he laughingly told his +companion he intended to make his fortune.</p> + +<p>"Over these nuts?" asked Sam, ironically.</p> + +<p>"Now look here, Sam Netherclift, you can laugh; I don't care for that. +But I intend to make my fortune one day, and be a rich man."</p> + +<p>"Like Squire Rowland?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe; why not? I can work and earn it all."</p> + +<p>"A likely thing!" laughed Sam; "and your father only a village +schoolmaster."</p> + +<p>"You'd better not laugh at my father," returned Owen, hotly; "there +isn't a better man in the world than he is, and I intend to share all my +fortune with him."</p> + +<p>"How are you going to make it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet;" and Owen's face rather fell, for he had talked so +confidently of what he would do, that Sam naturally would expect he had +some sort of a plan, and he did not wish him to think he was only +building castles in the air. But he added, bravely, "There are more ways +than one of making a fortune, and I 'll try something yet. Father says +Squire Rowland made his money by inventing a new dye, some bright colour +no one had thought of before, and now he is rolling in riches. So I +shall be sure to find some way of making money, never fear."</p> + +<p>"When you have found out what to do, let me know, and I will come and +help you," said Sam, laughing. He was a thorough boy, and had no thought +beyond the present, though he was older<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> than his companion, and had +already to work on his father's farm.</p> + +<p>But the conversation was suddenly interrupted by a squirrel, who flew +rapidly up a branch just before them. Owen sprang to the tree, and made +a dart after the little creature, but though he could not catch it, it +had done him good service, for it had led him to a tree he had not +noticed before, and which was covered with clusters of nuts.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Owen, "here's the beginning of the fortune!"</p> + +<p>Sam, of course, hastened to help, and to take his share, and both boys +were too much engaged for the next hour to have any more lengthened +conversation. As it grew dusk they started for home, carrying the basket +between them, well pleased with the result of their afternoon's work.</p> + +<p>The schoolhouse, with the adjoining cottage for the schoolmaster, stood +somewhat apart from the other houses. Both buildings were almost covered +with ivy and monthly roses, some of which were even now blooming, though +it was late in the year. The little garden in front of the cottage was +trim and tidy, though all was still and quiet as the boys pushed the +gate open and went in. Owen's mother had died before he could remember, +but his father had so loved and cared for his only child, that the boy +realised no loss or want. His father was everything to him, and he +repaid his care with most grateful love. The two lived alone in the +rose-covered cottage, and did the needful work, with the help of a woman +who came in twice a-week to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> do the washing and set things straight in +general. She was in the kitchen when the boys went in.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Owen?" she said, raising her voice, that he might hear her +in the front parlour.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mrs. Mitchell, it's all right; it is only me and Sam. Where is +father?" he added, going into the kitchen, where she was busily ironing.</p> + +<p>"He's gone to Allenbury," she answered shortly.</p> + +<p>"Gone to town! He never said anything about going!" exclaimed the boy, +with surprise, for his father mostly made him his confidant in +everything.</p> + +<p>"He'll be back in good time; he said he had to go on particular +business." And Mrs. Mitchell turned back to her ironing, as if she did +not care to be questioned.</p> + +<p>Owen looked at her anxiously, but he did not speak again, and returned +to the next room with a somewhat saddened face. He had noticed that his +father was not quite himself lately, and he feared that there was some +trouble pressing on him, that he should go off to Allenbury like this, +without saying a word.</p> + +<p>Sam was already dividing the nuts, and in this interesting occupation +Owen soon forgot his anxiety, and was laughing and joking with his +friend, as if there was no such thing as trouble in the world.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Sam at last, "I must go, I suppose; I have those cows to +see after, and father is pretty strict if I don't attend them well. It's +fine to be you, having your time to yourself, and nothing to do."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>"Nothing to do!" echoed Owen. "Why, I've no idle time, I can tell you. I +have the water to fetch in, and the wood to chop, and the garden to see +to, besides my lessons, and father is very particular about them."</p> + +<p>"When are you going to leave school? You are near fourteen, are you not? +I left when I was twelve. Shall you go to school when you are a man?"</p> + +<p>Owen laughed. "Father wants me to learn all I can; he says we can't have +too much education, and if I want to make a fortune, I must gather all +knowledge I can now."</p> + +<p>"How will geography, and sums, and history help you to make your +fortune?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know <i>how</i>, but I suppose they all come in. If I didn't know +anything of geography, how could I trade with foreign countries, or know +where to write for the stuff I wanted? And how could I tell whether they +were cheating me or not, if I couldn't add up my sums? I should like to +learn foreign languages too, to be able to talk to the merchants myself; +but father does not know any language but English."</p> + +<p>Sam looked wonderingly at his young companion's eager face. He did not +care for education himself, and he could not understand the desire for +it in Owen. He had passed through school, as do many, learning just so +much as he was obliged, and no more. Though he could read and write, it +was very seldom he took up either book or pen, spending his time in +wandering about the lanes and woods when he was released from the farm +duties which fell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> to his share. He was a good-natured, pleasant +companion, but could in no way share Owen's aspirations, though it +amused him to listen to them.</p> + +<p>When he was gone, Owen took up a book in order to study his lessons for +the next day, but the fading light soon drove him into the brighter +region of the fire. The warm glow spread itself all over the little +kitchen, and even the snowy linen on the table looked attractive as it +grew gradually smoother and fairer under Mrs. Mitchell's experienced +hands. Owen watched her a while from the chimney-corner, and presently +he said—</p> + +<p>"It must be very nice to iron, Mrs. Mitchell; to see the things that +look all rough, and uncomfortable, and damp, smoothing themselves out +under your hand, and looking pleasant and happy."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mitchell was a character in her way, and had many thoughts under +her somewhat stern face, but it had never occurred to her that the +clothes were any happier for being ironed.</p> + +<p>"I expect it is you who are happier for seeing the things smooth, Owen," +she said; "it makes no difference to them, of course. But it do make a +great difference to us to have things nice about us. I suppose that is +the reason the dear Lord says, 'Whatsoever things are lovely, ... think +on these things.'"</p> + +<p>"Do you think that God cares about our having things nice and pretty?"</p> + +<p>"Why, my dear, of course I do. Do you think God would have taken all the +trouble to put so much beauty into the world if He hadn't meant us to +love it and enjoy it? See what lots of flowers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> He has given us, and +such beautiful colours, even turning the leaves bright for us when the +flowers are going. And when the snow comes down, He arranges it as +beautiful as possible, making the very frost trace delicate patterns on +the windows, and on the ground."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," said Owen, eagerly; "father was reading to me yesterday +how that every snow-flake is a crystal."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I expect the more you search into God's works, the more beauty you +will find, Owen." The good woman went on busily with her work as she +spoke, presently adding, "I think, too, that God's children should +always try to have things nice and pleasant about them, at least, as far +as may be. I know that a struggling woman, with a lot of little +children, can't have things as nice as she would. But every one may be +clean, and if all did their best, the world would look different to what +it does now."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Mitchell, I am going to do my best, and make my fortune one day."</p> + +<p>"I am very glad, Owen; I hope you will."</p> + +<p>"Do you? That is kind of you. Sam Netherclift laughs, and thinks I shall +never do it."</p> + +<p>"You may do it, if you seek it in the right way. There are two sorts of +fortune, Owen. I hope you'll get the better."</p> + +<p>"Two sorts! What are they?"</p> + +<p>"One is a fortune of riches that take to themselves wings, and soon fly +away; and the other sort is 'durable riches.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should make a fortune that would last,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> of course. Riches that +fly away are not of much use. I should seek the best fortune, Mrs. +Mitchell."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, I hope so, indeed," said the woman, as she set down her cool +iron, and took a fresh one from the fire.</p> + +<p>Owen did not reply at once; he fancied there was some hidden meaning in +Mrs. Mitchell's words, but he did not understand what it was. He turned +to his book, and for a while there was silence, only broken by the sound +of the iron on the board.</p> + +<p>Presently he looked up, and asked, "Did father say when he would be in, +Mrs. Mitchell?"</p> + +<p>"No, he said he wasn't sure, but he should not be late."</p> + +<p>"You knew my mother, didn't you? I wish she had lived till now."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you may well wish that. A sweeter and a better woman never lived. +Yes, I knew her, and tended her in her last illness. She was a rich +woman, too."</p> + +<p>"A rich woman! how do you make that out?"</p> + +<p>"Rich in faith, and love, and good works; those are the riches that +last, Owen. You will never be rich unless you come to the Saviour."</p> + +<p>"Squire Rowland is rich, and he isn't——" Owen paused for a suitable +word—"you know what I mean, Mrs. Mitchell; he does not go to church, or +visit the poor."</p> + +<p>"No, I fear he is not a child of God, poor man. He is rich in this +world's goods; but this world will not last for ever, and we shall live +on after this world is burnt up. So it is best to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> riches we can +take with us. Better be poor here, and rich in the world to come, than +rich on earth, to pine in miserable poverty for ever."</p> + +<p>"But will all rich men be poor in the other world?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed. God sometimes gives earthly riches to His children to spend +for Him, though I must say I think they are generally poor. But those of +God's children who are rich here count their money the least part of +their fortune. A wealthy Christian man once lost all his money by the +breaking of a bank, and a friend meeting him after, said, 'I am sorry to +hear you have lost everything.' He replied, 'It is a mistake; I have not +lost everything. I have not lost Christ, I have not lost heaven, nor +God's Word, nor the peace He gives. And on earth I have not lost my +wife, nor my health, nor my senses, nor many good friends.' You see, +Owen, one may be very rich, and yet have very little money."</p> + +<p>"But money is a good thing, too; we cannot do without it."</p> + +<p>"It is good for what we can do with it. Money is no good stored away and +laid up. But it may be of great use and blessing if laid out and spent +for the Saviour. Yet I think those people are the happiest who have just +enough for every day's use."</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Mrs. Mitchell. I should like to have more than I could +count."</p> + +<p>"God grant you never may, Owen; it would ruin you, body and soul. Seek +the lasting riches, and leave God to give you sufficient means to live<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +on. Isn't that a Bible on the shelf? Just reach it down, and turn to +Proverbs, the eighth chapter and seventeenth and eighteenth verses."</p> + +<p>Owen did as he was bid, and read out aloud, "I love them that love Me; +and those that seek Me early shall find Me. Riches and honour are with +Me; yea, durable riches and righteousness."</p> + +<p>"That's the true fortune; God give you grace to seek it."</p> + +<p>Owen did not reply; he sat with the book in his hands, looking +thoughtfully into the fire, till suddenly he heard a step outside, and +jumped up to greet his father.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p16.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p17-1.jpg" alt="" /></div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CHAPTER II.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">CHANGES.</span></p> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="drop"> +<img src="images/ill-p17-2.jpg" alt="M" width="75" height="100" class="cap" /> +<p class="cap_2">MR. HADLEIGH was a tall, thin, anxious-looking man, a great contrast to +his son. He entered the room slowly, and sat down in the arm-chair by +the fire, as if he were very weary.</p></div> + +<p>"Are you not well, father?" asked Owen, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I have had a long walk, my son. I shall be better when I have had some +tea."</p> + +<p>Owen was accustomed to wait upon his father, and soon put the tea in the +little teapot, and set it down by the fire to brew while he fetched the +bread and butter out of a neighbouring cupboard, and cutting a slice of +bread off the loaf, he knelt down before the fire to toast it. Mrs. +Mitchell meanwhile put her irons away, and folded up the remaining +clothes without a word, except just as she was tying on her bonnet she +ventured to say, "I suppose you got through your business, Mr. Hadleigh. +It seems to have knocked you up a bit."</p> + +<p>"Yes; the result was what I expected. But I am more concerned for others +than for myself."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>"God can see after them, and care for them even better than you can. His +ways are always better than ours."</p> + +<p>"No doubt; but one cannot always realise it," said the schoolmaster +wearily.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mitchell ventured no more than a quiet "good-night," as she saw +Owen was listening to the conversation, evidently desiring to know what +they meant. But when she was by herself out in the road, she said +softly, "Poor things, they are both in trouble. Mr. Hadleigh is a clever +man, no doubt, and gets the children on wonderful; but he has not got +that quiet trust in God that Mrs. Hadleigh had. God give it him!"</p> + +<p>Just as she turned the corner of the lane leading to her cottage, she +met the vicar.</p> + +<p>"Ha, Mrs. Mitchell, I have just been to your cottage, but your little +girl told me you were not in yet. I hear that Mr. Hadleigh has some +trouble pressing upon him. I have thought him looking anxious and +careworn for some time; but he is such a reserved man, one cannot get +much out of him. I thought perhaps you could give me a hint how I could +help him."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir, I wish you would go and see him; I fear he is in a sad +way. He has not been feeling well for a long time, though he will not +own it. He will not go to Dr. Benson for fear all the village should +talk; but to-day he went over to Allenbury to see Dr. Foster, and he has +evidently told him some bad news about himself, for he seemed very low +when he came in; but Owen was there, so I could not ask."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>"No; the poor boy will feel it sadly if his father is really seriously +ill. I never saw such deep attachment between father and son."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Owen and his father were having a little talk. The poor boy +seemed very uneasy during tea, and as soon as he had cleared away the +remains of the meal, he sat down on his accustomed seat by his father's +side, and said anxiously, "What is it father? Something is wrong, I am +sure."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh put his hand on the boy's head for a few moments without +speaking. Presently he said, "You have often talked of making your +fortune, Owen; how should you like to go to your Uncle James, and learn +his business as a beginning?"</p> + +<p>"I should like to go into business very well, father, but I could not +leave you. You will not send me away?"</p> + +<p>"No, I will not do that, but I may have to leave you, Owen. The doctor +says my heart is seriously diseased."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh could get no further for the look of dismay that crept over +his son's face. But, boy-like he would not let the tears fall, keeping +his eyes steadfastly fixed on the fire, till his voice was calm enough +to say, "Perhaps the doctor was mistaken, and you may get better. +Doctors are often wrong."</p> + +<p>"It may be," returned Mr. Hadleigh, anxious not to grieve the boy too +much at first.</p> + +<p>While they were talking, Mr. Sturt, the vicar, came in, and Owen gladly +took the opportunity of escaping upstairs for a while. It was a sore +trouble to him, for he loved his father devotedly; but after the first +grief was over, hope took her place again,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> and the boy went downstairs +more cheerfully than his father expected.</p> + +<p>The days and weeks passed by, and things went on much as usual for Owen. +His father still taught in the school, and the boy did all he could to +help him, sweeping out the schoolroom, and getting up in the dark +mornings to light the fire before his father was out of bed—in every +way he could, trying to lessen his father's work. But Mr. Hadleigh's +health was not again alluded to. No doubt he spoke of it to Mrs. +Mitchell, who was often in and out, but Owen heard nothing of it, and he +began to hope it was all a mistake. The winter came in early, with sharp +frosts and snow, and Owen, with his friend Sam, was often on the ponds a +good part of the day, sliding and skating to his heart's content.</p> + +<p>One evening, as he ran home glowing with exercise and fun, his father +asked him, "How shall you like the town, Owen? It will be a great +contrast to the country."</p> + +<p>"I should not like it at all, father; except, I suppose, one can get +more money there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so. Your uncle is reckoned a rich man, and he has always +been annoyed with me that I did not go into business too; but I had no +taste for it. Country life always had greater charms for me, even with +less to live upon. But I think you will get on, Owen; you have more push +in you than I ever had. Only don't let the earthly fortune that you +desire, blind your eyes to the heavenly riches. I neglected them too +long, and though I can thank God that He has saved me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +yet I often fear I shall have little reward yonder, for I have hidden my +hope in my own breast, and have been content to keep my riches to +myself, instead of trading with them. Mind that you do otherwise, Owen. +Seek <i>first</i> the kingdom of God, and all other things needful, food and +clothing, shall be added unto you."</p> + +<p>These were the last words that Owen ever heard from his father's lips. +He had not seemed worse that night, but before the next morning he had +passed away. At first Owen was inconsolable, and would not be comforted +at all. But kind neighbours gathered round, and in the evening his uncle +arrived, having been telegraphed for by Mr. Sturt, according to Mr. +Hadleigh's instructions.</p> + +<p>Mr. James Hadleigh was a great contrast to his brother; he was a strong, +active man, quick, business-like, and energetic. He seemed to know +exactly what to do, and speedily made all arrangements. He could not +stay long in the village, of course; he had his business to attend to. +But he had promised his brother to look after Owen, and he would take +him back with him. A few of his brother's belongings were packed up for +the boy, but the rest Mr. James Hadleigh decided should be sold. There +were several things that Owen greatly desired to keep; the arm-chair +that his father used, a small cabinet which contained botanical +specimens that his father had collected, some books of his mother's, and +other treasures. But his uncle spoke decidedly—</p> + +<p>"Nonsense; they are mostly old things. I cannot have my house filled +with lumber. Your clothes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> and a few books are all that I can allow you +to take; the remainder must be sold. The money will be useful to you, +till you are able to earn something. I began life with half-a-crown, and +by laying it out judiciously, have obtained a tolerable income for +myself. You will have more than I had, and ought to do better."</p> + +<p>Owen did not say more then, but when he went up to the vicarage to bid +good-bye to Mr. Sturt, he told him of his trouble. The vicar listened +sympathisingly; he knew well that such treasures are not to be valued +with money, and he felt, too, that such home-valuables might be helps to +the boy amid the temptations of a town life. This little glimpse of Mr. +James Hadleigh's character, too, made him fear that the boy would have +very different surroundings to what he had been accustomed; but he +determined not to discourage him, so he only said, kindly—</p> + +<p>"I am sorry your uncle has not more room for your belongings; but I +think I can help you. I will buy those things you value most, and when +you have a room where you can put them, you shall have them again."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," said Owen, gratefully. "I will pay you back all you +give for them, sir. I am going to make my fortune, and do the best I +can."</p> + +<p>"I hope indeed you will do the best you can whatever your hands find to +do. But as to making your fortune, that is another matter, and I don't +know that I can wish you success in that. Seek the heavenly riches, my +boy, and amid all the lower aims of earth, keep your heart fresh and +pure by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> yielding yourself to the Saviour, and asking His grace to live +only for Him."</p> + +<p>The next day Owen and his uncle started on their journey; they had a +long way to go, and it was quite a novelty to Owen to go any distance in +a train. At first he was very sorrowful; the little village had been his +home all his life, and he felt that no other place could ever be the +same to him. His eyes filled as he thought of his dear father, but he +was glad to know that he was doing just what his father wished in going +with his uncle. By-and-by the train stopped at a station, and when they +went on again, Owen found that he and his uncle were alone in the +carriage. He wished he would talk to him; his father would have pointed +out places of interest, and been so companionable, but his uncle seemed +wrapped up in his own thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Have we much farther to go, please?" ventured Owen at last.</p> + +<p>"About an hour more," said his uncle, turning round, as if suddenly +aware of his presence. "What can you do?" he asked, after a pause; "have +you been accustomed to work at all?"</p> + +<p>"I did odd jobs about the house, sir, but I never went out to work; +father wanted me to learn all I could."</p> + +<p>"Wanted to make a scholar of you, did he?"</p> + +<p>"No; but he said learning was always a good thing, and he would give me +as much as he could."</p> + +<p>"Humph, your father was always an unpractical man. You might have been +earning a nice little sum now."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>"Perhaps I shall be able to work better for what father taught me," said +the boy, timidly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh looked at his orphan nephew, and said more kindly, "Perhaps +you will; your father was a good man, though he did not know how to make +money. Do you know much of arithmetic?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am very fond of it."</p> + +<p>"That's a good thing; a quick reckoner is valuable in business. Of +course you know you will have to work. Your aunt and Clarice both help, +and I can keep no idler on the premises."</p> + +<p>"Is Clarice my cousin?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; she is some years older than you, though. She helps me with the +books, and makes a good business woman. I think that everybody, young +people specially, should stick to their work. If people did that, there +would not be so many poor about."</p> + +<p>"But people cannot help being poor, can they? Some are always richer +than others."</p> + +<p>"That may be, but all can earn their own living, if they will. If not, +they have no business to live."</p> + +<p>Owen was rather startled at this view of things, and did not reply. But +the end of the journey was nearly reached; already he saw tall chimneys +and spires, and numbers of houses in the distance, and soon they were in +that dull haze that always surrounds large towns. But there was no time +to think about it, for the train pulled up at a large station, and all +was bustle and confusion, as people ran here and there in anxiety for +their luggage.</p> + +<p>His uncle thought Owen quite capable of carrying his own belongings, and +led the way down a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> narrow street into a broader one, with some fine +buildings; then, to the boy's surprise, over a bridge, which crossed a +fine dock filled with shipping, for he had no idea that Barmston was a +seaport town. He was tempted to stop and look at the busy life, where +the twinkling lights of the lamps were reflected in the dark waters of +the dock. But his uncle was walking with rapid steps, and he ran to keep +up with him. As he turned into the broad market-place, he entered a +bright, cheerful grocer's shop, over which Owen had just time to catch +the name "Hadleigh" in large letters.</p> + +<p>His uncle passed at once into the counting-house, and entered into eager +conversation with a man who was there, and a young girl, who, Owen +concluded, was his cousin. But nobody seemed to think of the orphan, who +sat on his box in a corner of the bright and busy shop, unnoticed and +uncared for. After a while he grew so interested in watching the various +customers that he almost forgot where he was, till a clear voice close +at his side asked pleasantly, "Are you my cousin Owen?"</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p25.jpg" alt="" /></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p26-1.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CHAPTER III.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">MAKING HIS FORTUNE.</span></p> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="drop"> +<img src="images/ill-p26-2.jpg" alt="O" width="75" height="100" class="cap" /> +<p class="cap_2">OWEN sprang up and acknowledged the relationship, following the girl +through the back of the shop, upstairs to a pleasant room, where tea was +already spread.</p></div> + +<p>"Father is busy with Dawson just for a few minutes," she said, "but +mother will be here presently. Oh, there she is. Mother, here is Owen; +where is he to sleep?"</p> + +<p>"In the little room at the top of the stairs," replied a middle-aged, +active-looking woman, who stood before Owen, without giving him a word +of greeting, saying, critically, "You look pretty capable; are you +willing to work?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, ma'am; I will do anything I can."</p> + +<p>"That is right," said Clarice, kindly; "come, I will show you your room, +and you can wash your hands and face, and then come down to tea. I +expect you want something after your journey."</p> + +<p>Owen looked gratefully at his cousin as he carried his box upstairs +after her. The little room in which she left him was dreary and cold, +so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> different to his pretty little bedroom at home, which his father had +made so cheerful and pleasant. But Owen was determined not to look on +the dark side. He peeped out of the window; it looked down on the busy +street, and the tops of the houses. As far as he could see were +house-tops, and he wondered how far off the country could be. He felt a +little sore at his aunt's cool manner, and was almost inclined to cry, +as he turned to the washstand to follow his cousin's suggestion. The +cold water refreshed him, and things looked brighter when he made his +way down to the parlour, and found only Clarice waiting for him.</p> + +<p>"You and I will have tea by ourselves," she said, cheerfully; "father is +not ready yet, and mother has gone down to him. Would you like a slice +of ham? Here is bread, and a nice hot cup of tea. I wonder how you will +like the town."</p> + +<p>So Clarice chatted away, trying to make the boy at home. The warm tea +revived him, and his cousin's kindness won his heart, so that when she +said, "I am so glad you have come, I know we shall be good friends," he +was able to respond, "Yes, I am glad too; you are good and pretty."</p> + +<p>Clarice laughed. "Nobody ever told me that before. I have to work too +hard to be pretty. Father and mother let no one be idle. We must do all +we can to make a fortune." But she said it somewhat bitterly, and Owen +did not know how to reply, though he said, after a pause, "Don't you +want to make a fortune?"</p> + +<p>"I would rather enjoy what money we have,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> said Clarice. "What is the +good of going on heaping up money all your life, and never enjoying what +it brings at all?"</p> + +<p>"That is what Mrs. Mitchell said."</p> + +<p>"Who is Mrs. Mitchell?"</p> + +<p>"A neighbour of ours. She said it was best to get 'durable riches.'"</p> + +<p>"What sort of riches are they?"</p> + +<p>"I don't quite know, but they are in the Bible; I read it there."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Clarice, "I don't know much of the Bible. Perhaps it would be +better if I did, but father would not like me to spend time reading it. +Will you have some more tea? No? Then we had better go down, and father +and mother can come up. Father never likes to leave the counting-house +unless one of us is there, but I don't see why he can't trust Dawson."</p> + +<p>Owen followed his cousin downstairs. The shop was now brightly lighted +up, and the fragrant smell of newly-ground coffee pervaded the place. +Looking out at the door, he could see the twinkling lights of the pier +at the end of the broad street, and the tall, dark masts of the vessels +in the river; while nearer were rows of bright shops, and many feet +hurrying past. It was a great change for the country-bred boy.</p> + +<p>"What time do the people go to bed here?" he asked, as he returned to +his cousin.</p> + +<p>"Why, not yet for a long time."</p> + +<p>"They all look as if it was the middle of the day, and in Westbrook +every one was at home and quiet after tea."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>Clarice laughed. "You will see a great difference here, Owen."</p> + +<p>The next morning his uncle told him he must set to work, and gave him +some employment at once, quite to Owen's satisfaction, for he did not +care to be idle. It was a new thing to be busy about a shop, but he +liked the change. It had been arranged that he should serve his uncle +for the first three months without payment, only getting his board and +lodging; but after that, if he proved capable, his uncle promised him a +small salary.</p> + +<p>"Of course you will have to buy your clothes out of it. But if you +really wish to make your fortune, take my advice, never spend more than +you can help! Save up all you can, and never buy anything you can +possibly do without."</p> + +<p>Owen promised obedience, and threw his whole heart into his work. Poor +lad, he seemed in danger of forgetting his father's advice, and the +unworldly lessons he had learnt in earlier days, as he made haste to be +rich. For no one in his uncle's household seemed to think of anything +beyond this present life. His uncle was somewhat strict with him, though +on the whole he treated him kindly, while his aunt was very cool and +stern. But Clarice was very fond of her young cousin, and whenever she +could obtain her father's consent, would take him out with her, and walk +along the river-side, or round the docks, where the boy never ceased to +wonder at the new and strange things he saw.</p> + +<p>Among the men and boys employed in the shop,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> Owen was much attracted by +a young errand-boy, about his own age, whom everybody called "David," +and he soon made friends with him. David was very obliging, and always +willing to help Owen any way he could, which was not the case with +Norris, one of the young men, who seemed to take a delight in thwarting +and hindering him.</p> + +<p>One day when David had some extra heavy parcels to carry, Owen was sent +out with him, and as they walked along, he asked him his surname.</p> + +<p>"David Netherclift," he replied.</p> + +<p>"What!" said Owen, "Netherclift, did you say?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, why not?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Sam Netherclift was my greatest friend down home. It is funny you +should have the same name."</p> + +<p>"Where is your home?"</p> + +<p>"At Westbrook, near Allenbury; a long way from here."</p> + +<p>"Westbrook? I have often heard my father speak of it; his brother lives +there. I expect Sam is my cousin. I'll ask father."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do. Does your father live near here?"</p> + +<p>"Not far off. But we must not go there now."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because this is the time for work. Father says it is as bad as stealing +to take my master's time for my own use. I'll ask him all about it +to-night, and tell you in the morning."</p> + +<p>"I expect your father is something like mine was," said Owen; "he was so +good, and never let me do wrong if he could help it."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>"Is he dead?" asked David.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he died some time ago. If he had been alive I should not be here, +for I would never have left him."</p> + +<p>When the boys returned to the shop, they were both set busily to work, +and had no time for further conversation. But next day David found +opportunity to say, "Sam is my cousin, and father says he hopes you will +come and see him some day; he would like to hear about Westbrook."</p> + +<p>Owen was getting rapidly initiated into business habits, and being a +quick, intelligent boy, did not often want telling twice how to do a +thing, so that his uncle regarded him with favour, and at times allowed +him to help Clarice in the counting-house when she was extra busy. The +boy missed the country life, the long walks, the skating, the thousand +pleasures of unfettered rural life, and he sometimes wished he could +have a holiday, though he never said so to his uncle, but stuck manfully +to his work till late every night, and then threw himself on his bed, +and went sound asleep.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh seldom went to church; indeed, the whole family were +generally too tired on a Sunday, after a week of incessant labour, to do +anything but rest. In fine weather Clarice generally went for a walk in +the afternoon, and her father sometimes accompanied her. But on winter +evenings they sat round the fire, yawning and tired, wishing the hours +would pass rapidly by, so that the shop could be opened again. Mr. +Hadleigh really cared for nothing but business.</p> + +<p>The first Sunday or two Owen was very miser<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>able. Sundays had been such +bright days in his old home. He had always gone to church with his +father in the morning, and to a class he held for elder boys in the +afternoon; and though he had not always taken heed to the lessons as he +ought, he had at any rate enjoyed the time. And he looked back to the +Westbrook Sundays as days of peaceful rest. The first Sunday after he +had found out that David was a cousin of his old friend Sam, he ventured +to ask his uncle if he might go and spend the afternoon with the +Netherclifts. His uncle gave him leave, not caring what he did on +Sundays, so long as he attended well to his work during the week.</p> + +<p>Owen started off eagerly, and just round the corner saw David, who had +come to meet him by agreement. They walked some little distance, till +they reached a narrower street, with smaller houses—a dingy street Owen +thought it. But David stopped at a house which looked brighter than the +rest, having clean blinds and curtains to the windows, and a very white +stone step at the door. Owen noticed this as he followed David in.</p> + +<p>"This is Owen Hadleigh, father," he said, bringing him into the little +sitting-room.</p> + +<p>"I am very glad to see you," said Mr. Netherclift; "but I cannot rise to +greet you. I am a constant prisoner with rheumatism."</p> + +<p>And then Owen noticed that the man's hands, too, were twisted and +swollen with the same painful disease. He hardly knew what to say. But +Mr. Netherclift was anxious to set him at his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> ease, and bid David bring +a chair forward, as he remarked—</p> + +<p>"You have come from Westbrook, David tells me. I used to go there often, +many years ago."</p> + +<p>"Did you really?" asked Owen, eagerly, ready for a talk with one who +knew his old home. "Did you know my father, too?"</p> + +<p>"I have seen him, but I don't think I ever spoke to him. My visits to my +brother were always short, so I did not get to know many of his friends. +And so your father is now home with Christ; it is a blessed change even +from such a pretty place as Westbrook."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he was glad to go; though he was sorry to leave me," said the +boy, wistfully. "Mother died when I was a baby, so now I have nobody."</p> + +<p>"Have you not got Christ?"</p> + +<p>Owen looked up inquiringly; he did not quite know his friend's meaning.</p> + +<p>"The blessed Saviour loves you, my boy; have you no love in your heart +for Him? Those who belong to Him can never say they have nobody to love +them. Are you not his child?"</p> + +<p>The question was asked very tenderly, and Owen looked into the kind face +that watched his so earnestly, as he said, slowly, "I don't think so."</p> + +<p>"Then I am sure you are both poor and lonely."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am poor, because father had very little to leave me—only a few +books and furniture.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> But I have come to Barmston to make my fortune."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will find the truest fortune; it is already made for you, +and all you have to do is to accept it."</p> + +<p>"What is the truest fortune?"</p> + +<p>"It is to belong to Christ, the King of kings. The peace and rest and +joy He gives are riches of untold price, more valuable—infinitely +so—than any wealth of earth. And they are riches that will last for +ever."</p> + +<p>"How can we get them?"</p> + +<p>"By first of all realising our poverty, that we, you and I, are poor +lost sinners in ourselves, fit for nothing but hell, and that we can do +nothing to save ourselves. Then, knowing this fact, because God says it, +to come just as we are, and believe in His Son, who died to save us from +all sin."</p> + +<p>Owen listened earnestly, the boy's heart was roused; it was God's +message to him. He looked thoughtfully into the fire for a few moments. +Presently he said, "Father's last words to me were to seek the heavenly +riches."</p> + +<p>"Have you sought them?"</p> + +<p>"There is no time here in Barmston. From morning to night I am as busy +as can be, often till ten o'clock, and then I am so tired I almost drop +asleep while I am undressing."</p> + +<p>"Poor boy, you are hard-worked. But remember this, God never puts you +into any place where you cannot seek Him. Do you never read your Bible, +or speak to God in prayer?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p35.jpg" alt="" /></div> + + +<p class="caption">"DID YOU KNOW MY FATHER?"—<a href="#Page_33"><i>Page 33.</i></a></p> +<p> </p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not now. Perhaps I shall have more time when I am older."</p> + +<p>"Nay, never think that. God says, 'Now is the day of salvation.' You may +not live to be older."</p> + +<p>The conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Netherclift coming in with the +tea, and directly after the two boys went out together to a neighbouring +mission-hall, where David's father knew they would hear an earnest +Gospel message. He, being unable to walk, remained at home, earnestly +praying that both lads might get a blessing.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p36.jpg" alt="" /></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p37-1.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CHAPTER IV.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">AN UNEXPECTED TRIAL.</span></p> +<p> </p> + +<div class="drop"> +<img src="images/ill-p37-2.jpg" alt="D" width="75" height="100" class="cap" /> +<p class="cap_2">DAVID NETHERCLIFT ushered Owen into a small, but cheerful and +brightly-lighted mission-hall. The place was nearly full, but they found +comfortable seats, and the service almost immediately commenced. The +singing was hearty, and the speaker's manner so earnest and manly that +Owen's attention was gained even before he began to preach. But when he +read out his text, the boy listened still more earnestly, for the words +seemed to have some reference to the fortune he so eagerly desired. +Slowly and deliberately they were read out: "Ye know the grace of our +Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He +became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich."</p></div> + +<p>"You see here," began the speaker, "that One who was rich gave up His +wealth, and became a poor man that you, poor men, women, and children, +might become rich. It was a wonderful thing to do, for it was not only +that He gave up home and comfort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> and wealth for poor people, but for +those who cared nothing for Him, even for His enemies. And He did it out +of His own great love and grace. Who was it who did this? It was the +Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, the God who made the world, and +all those countless stars that fill our sky. If it was a good man that +had done it, we should have thought it a great thing to do; but that God +should stoop so low fills us with surprise. He might have stayed in +heaven, rejoicing in His Father's love, listening to the songs and +adoration of the angels, leaving us in our poverty and ruin to die +eternally. But no; out of His boundless love and grace, He came to +suffer and die—'for your sakes.'</p> + +<p>"Yes, for our sakes, because we were poor, lost sinners, and He pitied +us. So He came down from heaven, and lived a poor man, dying a death of +shame to redeem us and save us from hell. Should we not then seek His +rich salvation, and take the wealth the Saviour went through such deep +poverty to win for us? You may refuse it; God does not force it upon +you. But oh, the terrible punishment that will fall on those who neglect +or reject God's salvation!</p> + +<p>"You, here before me, are mostly poor; you would all like to be rich. +Listen, then, to God's Word: 'The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, +and He addeth no sorrow with it.' The heavenly riches never disappoint, +never fly away, but last on, growing deeper and fuller, right into +eternity. Who will come to Christ to-night, and seek His unsearchable +riches?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>They were simple words simply spoken, but were God's message to many +hearts. Owen did not say much as he walked home with his friend; but he +did not forget the words he had heard. That night he opened his Bible +for the first time since he came to Barmston, and knelt in prayer before +he went to bed. All that week he was very thoughtful, longing for Sunday +to come, that he might again have some help heavenward, for he was +beginning to set his face that way. Not that he neglected his work. No; +his uncle never found him more diligent and active, though he was on his +feet from morning till night, and was often thoroughly tired out.</p> + +<p>"No sorrow with it," he said softly to himself one evening, as he was +copying some writing by his cousin's side in the counting-house.</p> + +<p>"What do you say, Owen?"</p> + +<p>The boy smiled. "I did not know I was speaking out loud," he said.</p> + +<p>"But what did you say about 'no sorrow'?"</p> + +<p>"It was something I heard on Sunday: 'The blessing of the Lord it maketh +rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.'"</p> + +<p>"Those riches must be worth getting," said Clarice, after a pause, with +tears in her eyes. She had long known a deeply unsatisfied feeling in +her heart, though no one suspected it; and she herself hardly knew how +the uneasiness arose.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so too," said Owen, as he went on busily with his work.</p> + +<p>It was only a few days after this that Mr. Hadleigh called his nephew to +him, and said, "Clarice has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> to go on business for me over to Horley, +across the river, and she wants you to go too; so run and change your +jacket, and get ready to go with her."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, uncle," said the boy, delighted at the prospect of a change. +He had never been on the river before, and it was a great charm to him +to step on board the little steamer waiting at the pier-head, and start +off in the fresh breeze across the river.</p> + +<p>"How long will it take us?" he asked his cousin.</p> + +<p>"About twenty minutes crossing; then we have to go into the village for +father, and take the next boat back."</p> + +<p>"How curious it feels; it looks as if the town and pier were moving +away."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it often does at first; but it is really we who are moving. You +will see better when we get farther out into the river."</p> + +<p>The shipping and the new sights occupied the boy the whole way across, +and Clarice had to answer numberless questions, so that it was not till +they had reached the other side, and were walking down a country road to +the neighbouring village, that she was able to say, "Do you know why I +asked father to let you come to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Because you are kind, and wanted me to have a holiday."</p> + +<p>"It was not altogether that," said the girl, looking down on the young +boy at her side; "I wanted you to tell me more about that 'no sorrow.'"</p> + +<p>"Why, I told you all I knew."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but how can we get it?"</p> + +<p>The boy hesitated. "You must come with me to the mission-hall on Sunday +night, and hear the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> preacher yourself, Clarice. Then you will know all +about it."</p> + +<p>"I cannot do that; mother would not let me, nor father either, I fear."</p> + +<p>"But they let me."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but they had a talk about it the first Sunday evening you were +gone. Mother said she did not like you to go at all, but father said as +long as you did your work well he did not mind where you went on +Sundays, as you are a boy. So you really must tell me more, Owen. No one +but you can help me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to tell you. I don't quite understand it myself yet. +He said we were to read the Bible and pray, and seek the salvation God +offers. He said the Lord Jesus loves us, and wants us to be His +children."</p> + +<p>"Are you His child?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I want to be. Father and mother were, and——" the boy +stopped.</p> + +<p>"I must know more about it," said Clarice, earnestly; "you must listen +for yourself and me too, Owen, when you go again, and try to remember +all you can to tell me."</p> + +<p>When they returned to Barmston, they found Mr. Hadleigh evidently in a +bad temper. He was talking very loudly, and seemed considerably annoyed. +The moment he caught sight of Owen, he called him to him.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you put out that order for Mr. Davenport yesterday? I gave it +into your hands."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I did it. I weighed out the things, and wrapped them up."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>"This comes of trusting to boys," he said, bitterly; "but you seemed +different to most. Mr. Davenport has just been in, and says the things +never arrived."</p> + +<p>"I packed them up all right," said Owen, respectfully, but firmly.</p> + +<p>"Whose place was it to take them out?"</p> + +<p>"It was David's round."</p> + +<p>"Then the matter lies between you and David. Which of you stole the +goods?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, father!" exclaimed Clarice, "neither of them would do such a +thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, the goods must be somewhere," he replied, half-ashamed of his hot +words. "Norris has often given me hints about the two, David and Owen; +he says they are too much together for good."</p> + +<p>"I expect Norris is at the bottom of it," said Clarice, eager to defend +her young cousin.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense. Norris has been with us for years. I would trust him as well +as anybody. Owen, you can go to your own room for the present, till I +decide what is to be done. Send David to me as soon as he returns."</p> + +<p>Poor Owen, it was a sad ending to a pleasant little holiday. Things +looked black, but he knew he had done as he was told, and that the goods +had been carefully wrapped up, and laid on the counter ready to be taken +away. Yet how could he prove it? Norris had seen him weighing the things +out, but he had turned against him, and there was no other witness. He +sat down by the side of his bed, and wondered what he should do if his +uncle sent him to prison. Could he not run<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> away? There were lots of +ships about; perhaps he could get work on one of them. But better +thoughts prevailed, and at last he sank on his knees, and prayed that +some way might be found for him out of his trouble.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile David had been questioned, and said that he had never been +given anything for Mr. Davenport. He showed his book, stating what +houses he had called at, and answered so straightforwardly that Mr. +Hadleigh at once acquitted him of all complicity in wrong-doing.</p> + +<p>"It is just that nephew of yours, Mr. Hadleigh," said his wife; "a +little sneaking fellow, trying to toady himself into your favour by +industry, and then returning it in this fashion."</p> + +<p>"Owen never did it," said Clarice, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you always favoured him. You and your father should have believed +me, and this would never have occurred," said her mother, sweeping out +of the room.</p> + +<p>Clarice possessed great influence with her father, so when they were +alone, he asked, "Don't you really think it is Owen?"</p> + +<p>"No, father, I don't. I am certain he would not do such a thing. His +father brought him up too well for that. Things have been missing before +he came. If I were you, I should look after somebody else."</p> + +<p>Nothing more was said. Business went on as usual till ten o'clock; then +the shop was closed, and the family went upstairs to the sitting-room. +No one had been near Owen, or had even thought of taking him food, till +Clarice suddenly remembered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> he had had nothing since breakfast; so +filling a plate with some bread and butter, and a slice of cold meat, +she hastily left the room, unquestioned by her parents.</p> + +<p>Owen had fallen asleep, with his head resting against the washstand, and +Clarice noticed that there were traces of tears on his face. She touched +his arm, and he jumped up in a moment.</p> + +<p>"I have brought you something to eat," she said, kindly; "I am so sorry +I forgot to do so before; I am afraid you are nearly starved."</p> + +<p>"No, it didn't matter; but I am glad to have it now. What is going to be +done?" he asked, watching his cousin's face anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Nothing can be done to-night. Father wants to find out the truth, of +course. I think if we asked God to let it be seen who took the things, +He would make it plain."</p> + +<p>"I am sure he would if we were His children. But you see we are not." +The words were said sorrowfully and slowly.</p> + +<p>Clarice did not reply for a moment, as she watched her cousin eating his +supper. "We must see what to-morrow brings," she said, at last; "go to +bed now."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh could find no direct evidence against Owen. The goods had +vanished, certainly, but it was not at all clear who had taken them. He +did not care to prosecute his own nephew, and he would not turn him +adrift for his dead brother's sake. So things went on much as usual, +though the boy knew he was only tolerated, and was carefully watched, +whatever he did.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>When Sunday came, Owen gladly went off to his kind friends. Mr. +Netherclift had heard all about the accusation from David, and felt much +for the orphan lad. Again he put the Gospel earnestly and faithfully +before him; but he was a wise man; he would not hurry any soul, though +he knew there must be a moment of decision, and he entreated the boy not +to put it off. As to the present trial, he urged Owen to do his +every-day work faithfully and well, as under the eye of God, and he felt +sure that his uncle would in time be assured that he was not the +culprit.</p> + +<p>"It seems strange this should happen just now, when I want to do right. +It is only this week that I have begun to read my Bible again. When I +didn't read it nothing disagreeable happened."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my boy, if you were older and more experienced, you would know why. +When you were content to live just for this world alone, without a +thought of God and eternal things, Satan left you alone. But the moment +you begin to seek God, Satan does all he can to hinder and keep you +back. No doubt he has stirred up some of his servants to work you this +evil; but be sure of this, God will right you in good time."</p> + +<p>A quiet, happy evening was spent, Owen feeling very grateful for +sympathy, and being much cheered to see that the Netherclifts never for +one moment doubted his honesty. But he went home early, saying he wished +to be alone, and would not go to the mission-hall that night.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p46-1.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CHAPTER V.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">SUNSHINE AND SHADE.</span></p> +<p> </p> + +<div class="drop"> +<img src="images/ill-p46-2.jpg" alt="C" width="75" height="100" class="cap" /> +<p class="cap_2">CLARICE and Owen generally breakfasted together very early, some time +before Mr. and Mrs. Hadleigh appeared. Clarice had spent an anxious +night, partly on her own account, and partly being troubled about Owen, +as Norris continued to speak against him whenever he could; so that she +was quite startled to see her cousin come into the room with a calm, +sunny face.</p></div> + +<p>"What is the matter!" she exclaimed; "has father found out it was not +you?"</p> + +<p>"No; I wish he had."</p> + +<p>"Then what makes you look so happy?"</p> + +<p>"Clarice, I do believe the Lord Jesus has saved me, and made me His +child."</p> + +<p>They were simple words, but they told of a great change, and Clarice +burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Why do you cry?" asked Owen, presently.</p> + +<p>"Because I want the same; I see it has made you 'rich,' Owen."</p> + +<p>"You can have it too, if you will. Only you must go to the Lord Jesus +for it, as I did."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rest of the breakfast passed almost in silence. Clarice could not +speak, and it was not easy for Owen to tell of his new-found joy. They +went down together to the shop, and the morning's work began. The boy's +bright face was not unnoticed, though no one else asked him the reason +of it.</p> + +<p>A fortnight passed away, and Owen seemed no nearer being cleared. Norris +was as disagreeable as ever, doing all he could to get the boy into +trouble; but his unfailing truthfulness and integrity saved him from +falling into the traps laid for him, and this angered Norris still more. +Mrs. Hadleigh, too, continued as distant as ever, and was much annoyed +to see the change in Clarice, which she attributed solely to her +cousin's influence.</p> + +<p>"I can't think what has taken the girl," she said to her husband one +day; "your nephew has brought his religious notions here, and has turned +her head. Such trouble as I've taken to keep her from all pious people, +too, fearing they would fill her head with fancies. And here she is as +religious as any of them. I might just as well have saved myself the +trouble."</p> + +<p>"Exactly so," said her husband, dryly.</p> + +<p>"I do believe you will go the same way, James."</p> + +<p>"Might do worse."</p> + +<p>"And after all our toil to work up the business!"</p> + +<p>"My dear, the business won't suffer."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, in the shop below, Norris had sent Owen on an errand to the +stores underneath the ground; he had to go down through a trap door to +the cellar, and not going quick enough to suit the young man, or out of +spite, Norris give him a push,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> which, loaded as he was, made him lose +his footing and fall heavily through the opening.</p> + +<p>"What a stupid!" exclaimed the man; "he is no more fit for business than +a calf."</p> + +<p>"Norris!" said Clarice, coming hastily out of the counting-house, "I saw +the whole affair. You pushed him down, and my father shall know."</p> + +<p>"You make a mistake, Miss Hadleigh," he said, blandly; "he is the most +useless boy we ever had on the premises."</p> + +<p>One of the porters and Dawson had hastily descended after the boy, who +was lifted up in their arms, groaning heavily.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh came in at the moment, asking what had happened. Every one +gave a different answer.</p> + +<p>"He is severely injured," he said, as he bent over the boy. "David, run +for Mr. Daly; ask him to come at once. Can you two carry the lad +upstairs?"</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Hadleigh had found out what had happened, she declared he +ought to be sent at once to the hospital. But her husband said the boy +reminded him more of his brother every day, and for that brother's sake +he should be nursed in the house. The doctor's verdict settled +everything; he said the patient must on no account be moved; the +hip-bone was broken, and he must be kept perfectly quiet.</p> + +<p>When the bone was set, and the boy somewhat more comfortable, though in +great pain and weakness, Clarice crept softly into the room, and watched +him for a moment with tears in her eyes. He looked so white and +suffering; and to think it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> should happen through the carelessness and +unkindness of another!</p> + +<p>Presently Owen opened his eyes. "Is that you, Clarice?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; how are you now?"</p> + +<p>"Isn't it a good thing I was saved in time?" His voice was feeble, +though the tone was glad.</p> + +<p>"Saved in time?" questioned Clarice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I mean saved before this happened. You see, I could not have +thought about these things while I was in such pain—at least, it would +have made me feel worse. Now the pain is all outside; my heart is happy. +Jesus comes and says to me, 'My peace I give unto you.'"</p> + +<p>Clarice knelt down by the side of the bed, and softly stroked the boy's +hair back from his forehead. He seemed to like the caressing motion, for +he did not move till she said softly, "I know something of that peace, +too, Owen, and it was through your lips the blessing came to me."</p> + +<p>A sunny smile spread over the white face as he said, "It was worth all +the pain to know that, Clarice. God has found us both now."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had been trying to help father to make his fortune; and you had +come to Barmston wishing to make your fortune; but God has given us His +riches."</p> + +<p>"Would you mind reading to me a little? My head is so bad; I think it +would comfort me, and give me something to think of while I am alone in +the night."</p> + +<p>Clarice was much touched to find that her young cousin expected no care +or nursing during the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> night. It showed her how accustomed he was to be +neglected, and put on one side in the house. But she said nothing, only +opened Owen's Bible, and softly read the Psalm that so many, young and +old, have rested their souls on in times of joy and sorrow: "The Lord is +my Shepherd; I shall not want." Quietly and slowly, without any comment, +she read the Psalm through, and then, seeing the boy was exhausted, went +noiselessly out of the room to seek some refreshment for him.</p> + +<p>As soon as the shop was closed Mr. Hadleigh came up himself to visit his +nephew, and assure him that he would take all care of him, and that he +was not to trouble about the accusation, for the more he watched him, +the more he was convinced that he was innocent, though where the goods +had gone to was a great mystery.</p> + +<p>"David shall sit up with you to-night," he said, "and we will see about +a better nurse in the morning."</p> + +<p>Owen was much surprised at his uncle's tender manner, for he had always +been too absorbed in business to speak kindly to any of his family. But +though Owen did not know it, his influence was working unconsciously +upon his uncle, and opening his eyes to see that other things are worth +obtaining besides money.</p> + +<p>The pain was very severe, and Owen felt thoroughly sore all over, for, +beside the broken bone, he was considerably bruised and shaken. Clarice +peeped in again before she went to bed, bringing a little plate of jelly +to moisten his mouth during the night, and to see that everything was +arranged as comfortably as might be. Presently +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +David came up, and took a seat by the bedside. He looked gravely at the +drawn, white face, as he asked anxiously, "Is the pain terribly bad?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p49.jpg" alt="" /></div> + +<p class="caption">"QUIETLY AND SLOWLY ... SHE READ THE PSALM +THROUGH."—<a href="#Page_50"><i>Page 50.</i></a></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>"Bad enough," said Owen, faintly.</p> + +<p>"What a coward that Norris is!" said the boy, indignantly; "the master +ought to turn him away."</p> + +<p>"Does uncle know he did it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I saw Norris talking away to him in the soft, sweet +manner he has; and no doubt he made out it was no fault of his. I should +like to tell Mr. Hadleigh himself."</p> + +<p>"You must not do that."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because we must not carry accusations of one another about."</p> + +<p>"But it is true that he did knock you down."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and if uncle asked you to tell him, you might do so; but I am sure +you ought not to offer to tell him."</p> + +<p>"That's rather queer, isn't it? Mr. Hadleigh was not there, and he may +think it was your fault after all."</p> + +<p>"God was there. He saw it all, and He knows everything—even why Norris +is so against me; and He will make it right."</p> + +<p>But Owen could not go on talking; the pain was so severe, he could only +just bear it by keeping perfectly quiet. An hour or two passed away +slowly, when Owen was surprised to hear his uncle's voice at the door, +calling softly, "David!"</p> + +<p>The boy rose. "Yes, sir," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Is Owen asleep?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, he can't sleep, the pain is so bad."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>"Well, come with me a minute, and then you shall return to him."</p> + +<p>The door was gently closed, and Owen heard no more, except a whispered +consultation outside. Then he was left alone for some time.</p> + +<p>A strange thing had happened. In the bustle and confusion of Owen's +accident Mr. Hadleigh had been somewhat upset, and just as he was +getting into bed he remembered that he had left his cash-box in the +counting-house. Such a thing had never occurred before in all his +business life, and he was a good deal dismayed when he thought of it. +Throwing on a dressing-gown, and stepping softly for fear of disturbing +Owen, he went downstairs. He carried no candle, for he knew just where +he had left the box, and he feared a light might set fire to something. +He had just reached the glass door leading into the shop, and was about +to put his hand out to open it, when he observed a faint light in one +corner, and a figure moving. For a moment he seemed paralysed, but +gathering his wits together, he carefully watched for a moment or two, +when he saw the muffled figure of a man reaching down canisters and +boxes, carefully and gently, and abstracting part of their contents. Not +much out of each, evidently, for the parcels he made up were small; but +the basket on the floor held a good many of them. The man's face he +could not see, nor could he at all make out the figure.</p> + +<p>After watching him for a moment, he crept upstairs, and calling David +out of Owen's room, sent him off by a back-door to the neighbouring +police-station, while he again mounted guard at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> the glass door. It +seemed a long time to Mr. Hadleigh as he stood watching the thief +walking softly about the shop, helping himself here and there to tea, +sugar, cloves and spices, dried fruit, and other goods. He felt sure it +was one who knew the premises well, by the way he went about, laying his +hands on exactly what he wanted. Who could it be? It was neither Owen +nor David, that was clear, and Mr. Hadleigh felt quite relieved when +David returned with two policemen, who did not speak a word, but looked +through the glass door, as Mr. Hadleigh silently pointed out the thief +to them.</p> + +<p>As they turned the handle of the door, the slight click caused the thief +to start, and when he saw the policemen he hastily extinguished his +light, and flew across the shop. But the policemen rushed after him; +there was a few moments' struggle in the dark, as the thief tried to +reach a small window at the back, from which he had evidently entered; +but the two powerful men held him down and secured him, while David got +matches, and lighted a lamp.</p> + +<p>"That was a pretty tidy catch," said one of the men; "caught in the very +act of stealing. A pretty long sentence you'll get, my man."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh drew nearer to look at the man as they were leading him +away, and to his surprise and indignation, saw Norris!</p> + +<p>"Is it possible!" he exclaimed. "What can have been your object?"</p> + +<p>"Let me off this time, Mr. Hadleigh," he whined; "let me off this time. +It will ruin me for life if you put me in prison. Let me go this time."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>"A likely thing!" said the policemen, grimly, as they led him out into +the street.</p> + +<p>When they were gone, Mr. Hadleigh went round the house and shop to see +that all was safe, David following with a light; and when everything was +secure, they went upstairs again.</p> + +<p>"Where have you been?" was Owen's first question. "Do lift up my pillow +a bit; my head is so uncomfortable."</p> + +<p>David did as he was asked; but he looked so excited that Owen inquired +again, "Where have you been?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hadleigh wanted me down in the shop."</p> + +<p>"In the night! What time is it?"</p> + +<p>"Two o'clock."</p> + +<p>"What could he want?"</p> + +<p>"We caught a thief stealing the goods out of the shop. I went for two +policemen, and they got hold of him."</p> + +<p>"How dreadful it must be to be a thief; it is worse for him even than +for uncle to lose his things."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so."</p> + +<p>"I wish he knew I did not take those things of Mr. Davenport's."</p> + +<p>"I think he'll know soon."</p> + +<p>"Do you? Why?"</p> + +<p>"I expect it was the same thief all along, and the truth will come out."</p> + +<p>To David's relief, Owen did not ask any more questions, for Mr. Hadleigh +had warned him not to excite the boy, nor tell him more than was +needful. But David could hardly contain himself, it had been such a +strange episode in the night.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p56-1.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CHAPTER VI.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">"POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH."</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="drop"> +<img src="images/ill-p56-2.jpg" alt="J" width="75" height="100" class="cap" /> +<p class="cap_1">JUST as the clock was striking five, to the great relief of both boys, +Clarice softly opened the door. She sent David off at once to the sofa +in the next room, bidding him get an hour's sleep as soon as he could. +Then making up the fire, she speedily and skilfully made a refreshing +cup of chocolate, and brought it to Owen's bedside. He looked white and +wan, as he whispered softly, "There is 'no sorrow' with it, cousin +Clarice, though the pain is so bad."</p></div> + +<p>"Poor boy," she whispered, softly stroking his head, "I wish I could +bear it for you. But Jesus knows, and He will help you through all."</p> + +<p>"Oh, He does; He comforts me so. When I was all alone, He gave me such +happy thoughts of going soon to be with Him and father."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will not go yet awhile, Owen. But how were you alone in the +night? I thought David was with you."</p> + +<p>"He was, most of the time. But uncle called him down to help about some +thief."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>"Some thief!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, David said so."</p> + +<p>Clarice thought the boy's mind was wandering, and asked no more +questions, only talked on soothingly for awhile, and then read the +"keeping" Psalm to him, "The Lord is thy keeper, ... the Lord shall +preserve thee from all evil," till Owen seemed quite comforted by the +blessed words, both in mind and body, and laid so still, that his cousin +hoped he might get a short sleep.</p> + +<p>When at last she went into the breakfast-room, she found both her father +and mother there before her, considerably excited and annoyed with the +affair of the previous night. She was told the whole story, and said she +was not much surprised, for she had never thought Norris was +trustworthy.</p> + +<p>"I know you never liked him," said her father; "but I thought it was +only a girl's fancy. How is Owen this morning?"</p> + +<p>"In great pain. This accident might never have happened but for Norris. +I saw him push Owen just as he was stepping down; and having his arms +full, he could not save himself."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh went in to see the boy, before he went round to the +police-court, and stayed some little time with him.</p> + +<p>Owen asked to be sent back to Westbrook; he was sure some there would +care for him for his father's sake; and he had not forgotten his uncle's +words in the train, that if anyone could not work they had no right to +live.</p> + +<p>"It is impossible you should be moved, at any rate for some weeks," he +said. "Why do you want to go?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>"Because I cannot earn anything, and shall not be able to do so for a +long time, I fear," was the sorrowful reply.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Owen, these few months you have been here have shown me +that money is not everything. Honesty, uprightness, and faithful service +are more than money, and I will show you I value them by spending money +on you. Don't you trouble; you will earn plenty when you are about +again."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said the boy, greatly comforted, "I will get well as soon +as I can, sir."</p> + +<p>But the days passed slowly to the active lad, as he lay in weariness and +pain, wondering if he should ever be able to walk again. He had intended +to work hard and get on, and earn money, and do so much good in the +world. Yet here he was laid on his back, unable to do anything, hardly +knowing whether he should ever be more than a cripple. It was a trial to +the young Christian, just as he started on the heavenly road. But he was +very patient, and bore his pain manfully, while gratefully thanking any +one who showed him any kindness.</p> + +<p>His uncle continually came and sat down by him for half-an-hour at a +time, and thus Owen often had sweet opportunities of witnessing for his +Saviour, and telling his uncle of his peace and joy.</p> + +<p>One day Mr. Hadleigh came in with a somewhat troubled face.</p> + +<p>"Owen," he said, "how can I make up to you for wrongly accusing you?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>"Have you found out that I never took those things of Mr. Davenport's?" +he asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have just returned from Norris's trial, and it all came out. It +seems that he and his sister kept a small grocer's shop in a low part of +the town, and that for a long time he has partly stocked it through +goods taken from me, by little and little, as he was able to do it. He +confessed at last, when the evidence became too strong, and owned that +he carried off Mr. Davenport's parcel to his own home. He is now in +prison for two years."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it sad for him?"</p> + +<p>"It serves him right, for such wicked and underhand dealings."</p> + +<p>"Yes, isn't it strange that people forget that they will be sure to be +found out one day? Father always used to say that it paid best to be +honest and upright in every way, even if it were not a question of +right. Dishonest people must always live in fear of being found out. +Father said we must always live <i>open</i> lives, and then everything would +be right."</p> + +<p>"Your father was a good man, Owen. I can't think how I came to suspect +you. Only get well, and I will do all I can for you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, uncle; I am very glad you know I did not do it," replied the +boy, as if he could not forget how heavy a weight had been lifted off +him.</p> + +<p>"It troubled you?" asked Mr. Hadleigh, kindly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, very much. Only I knew that God knew all about it, and I +hoped He would right me one day."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>"Does it comfort you to think that God knows all about you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed it does; specially since He has made me His child. I like +to think He knows just where I am, and what I am doing, and that He +cares for me all the day long. He makes me so happy."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hadleigh was silent; it was an experience he knew nothing of; yet as +he looked at the thin, white face, smiling so peacefully, he felt it was +possible so to live. And from that day forward he was very kind and +tender to Owen, often encouraging him to talk, though saying little in +reply himself.</p> + +<p>Mr. Netherclift had sent many kind messages to Owen; he greatly +regretted not being able to walk, as he should have liked to call on his +young friend. But that not being possible, he sent kind words by David, +and once he managed to write a few lines, to Owen's great joy, for it +was a very rare thing for him to receive a letter.</p> + +<p>At last he was able to get up once more, and in a few days longer could +manage to go into the next room by the aid of a crutch on one side, and +Clarice's strong arm on the other. It was a great delight to be able to +move even so far, though the exertion made him feel somewhat faint at +first. He had been there only a short time, when Clarice, who had been +downstairs, came into the room with a smiling face.</p> + +<p>"Could you bear to see a visitor, Owen?" she asked. "Do you feel strong +enough?"</p> + +<p>"A visitor! for me? Who is it?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/ill-p61.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="caption"> CLARICE HELPING OWEN.—<a href="#Page_60"><i>Page 60.</i></a></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>"An old friend of yours," she replied, returning in a few minutes with +an elderly gentleman, in whom Owen joyfully recognised his kind friend +the Vicar of Westbrook.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Sturt, sir, is it really you? I can't get up, sir, but I am +glad to see you."</p> + +<p>"Don't move, my boy. I have just heard of your accident from your +uncle," he said, taking a chair which Clarice offered him, close to +Owen. "I was passing through Barmston, and thought I should like to see +you. You look very altered and weak," he said, kindly; "are you in much +pain?"</p> + +<p>"No, it is not so bad now, sir; I hardly knew how to bear it at first. +But the Lord Jesus was with me all the time, and He helped me, sir."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear you say that, Owen; it is a blessed thing to know +that the Saviour is with His children at all times, under all +circumstances, and we are very happy when we realise His presence."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I have had 'no sorrow' with it, though the suffering has been +so great."</p> + +<p>"You are changed, Owen; I think few at Westbrook would recognise you if +they saw you now."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I daresay not. Will you tell me something about them all, +please? It seems so long since I was there."</p> + +<p>"No doubt it does, though to us things seem going on much as usual, +except that we greatly miss your father, and his quiet influence for +good. I have still got your things, Owen, but they are ready for you +whenever you want them."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it will be a long time before I can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> have them, sir. There +is no room to put them here, and I do not know when I shall be able to +earn money enough to buy them back. I shall never win a fortune now, +sir, as I used to wish to. I am afraid I shall always be a cripple."</p> + +<p>"I don't think there is much fear of that. You are young, and the bones +soon knit together again. I have no doubt you will be as strong as ever +by-and-by, though of course it will take time. But as for your fortune, +I thought you had already obtained a large part of it," said Mr. Sturt, +smiling kindly at the pale young face.</p> + +<p>A bright smile flushed all over it, as Owen replied, "So I have, sir, in +one way. I have got the best fortune now, for I belong to the Saviour, +and I know He will give me just what I need. Only I meant I could not +earn any money for a long time."</p> + +<p>"Then occupy this leisure time in seeking more of the heavenly riches, +and though you may be poor yourself, you can make many rich by giving."</p> + +<p>"But I have nothing to give, sir, nothing at all."</p> + +<p>"Can you not give grateful thanks and love to those around you, who so +kindly look after you? And can you not give your voice and heart in +prayer for those who yet know nothing of the riches of the Saviour's +grace?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the boy, slowly, "I can do that. And I have prayed, sir, +often for uncle and Clarice."</p> + +<p>"And God hears and answers. Your cousin tells me that it is mainly +through you she has sought and found the Saviour; and your uncle is also +seeking the same blessing. God is honouring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> you, Owen. Oh, keep always +low down at His feet, and give Him all the glory. You came here wishing +to gain riches, and God is giving you your desire, not in earthly coin, +but in precious souls saved for all eternity. 'There is that maketh +himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet +hath great riches.' God give you grace to choose the lowly and the +better way at all times through life."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sturt could not stay longer; he was only in Barmston for a short +time; when Owen was strengthened and comforted by seeing his kind friend +once more, and by his helpful words.</p> + +<p>A few more weeks passed by, and Owen was able to accept a kind +invitation from Farmer Netherclift to go and spend a month at Westbrook. +The fresh country air, and the freedom, worked wonders for him, though +his leg was still too stiff to enable him to go on the old rambling +excursions that he and his friend Sam loved so much.</p> + +<p>But they made the best use of their time together, and merry Sam learnt +something of a joy he had hitherto thought little of. Owen visited all +his old friends, greatly profited by Mr. Sturt's kind instructions, and +at last returned to Barmston with a happy, thankful heart, resolved to +be as industrious and active as possible, while yet keeping the heavenly +riches foremost before his eyes; while diligent in business, to be +fervent in spirit, in all things serving the Lord.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">S. W. PARTRIDGE AND CO., 9 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/back.jpg" alt="" /></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Punctuation errors have been corrected without note.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from +the original except:</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 34: Bramston changed to Barmston</span> +</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Owen's Fortune, by Mrs. F. West + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OWEN'S FORTUNE *** + +***** This file should be named 36493-h.htm or 36493-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/4/9/36493/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Brett Fishburne, Dave Morgan, +David E. 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West + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Owen's Fortune + Or, "Durable Riches" + +Author: Mrs. F. West + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36493] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OWEN'S FORTUNE *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Brett Fishburne, Dave Morgan, +David E. Brown and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + [Illustration: "OWEN ... MADE A DART AFTER THE LITTLE + CREATURE."--_Page 9._] + + + + + OWEN'S FORTUNE; + + OR, + + "DURABLE RICHES." + + BY + + MRS. F. WEST, + + AUTHOR OF "FRYING-PAN ALLEY," "THE BATTLE-FIELD," + ETC. + + NEW YORK: + E. P. DUTTON & CO., + 31, WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAP. PAGE + + I. THE RESOLVE, 7 + + II. CHANGES, 17 + + III. MAKING HIS FORTUNE, 26 + + IV. AN UNEXPECTED TRIAL, 37 + + V. SUNSHINE AND SHADE, 46 + + VI. "POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH," 56 + + + + +OWEN'S FORTUNE. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE RESOLVE. + + +It was a lovely fresh autumn afternoon; there were still a few blossoms +in the cottage gardens, and the leaves which were left on the trees were +coloured rich crimson and gold and brown, causing them to look almost +like flowers ere they dropped off the branches to make room for the +young buds that were swelling underneath, and silently preparing for the +spring. + +But two boys, who were in the woods just outside the village, were far +too occupied to notice the leaves. They were searching for nuts; and a +basket on the ground, already more than half filled, showed that their +search had not been in vain. The younger of the two, Owen Hadleigh, was +a fine, strong, intelligent boy of about fourteen years of age; his +bright, dark eye was full of merriment as he laughingly told his +companion he intended to make his fortune. + +"Over these nuts?" asked Sam, ironically. + +"Now look here, Sam Netherclift, you can laugh; I don't care for that. +But I intend to make my fortune one day, and be a rich man." + +"Like Squire Rowland?" + +"Maybe; why not? I can work and earn it all." + +"A likely thing!" laughed Sam; "and your father only a village +schoolmaster." + +"You'd better not laugh at my father," returned Owen, hotly; "there +isn't a better man in the world than he is, and I intend to share all my +fortune with him." + +"How are you going to make it?" + +"I don't know yet;" and Owen's face rather fell, for he had talked so +confidently of what he would do, that Sam naturally would expect he had +some sort of a plan, and he did not wish him to think he was only +building castles in the air. But he added, bravely, "There are more ways +than one of making a fortune, and I 'll try something yet. Father says +Squire Rowland made his money by inventing a new dye, some bright colour +no one had thought of before, and now he is rolling in riches. So I +shall be sure to find some way of making money, never fear." + +"When you have found out what to do, let me know, and I will come and +help you," said Sam, laughing. He was a thorough boy, and had no thought +beyond the present, though he was older than his companion, and had +already to work on his father's farm. + +But the conversation was suddenly interrupted by a squirrel, who flew +rapidly up a branch just before them. Owen sprang to the tree, and made +a dart after the little creature, but though he could not catch it, it +had done him good service, for it had led him to a tree he had not +noticed before, and which was covered with clusters of nuts. + +"Hurrah!" shouted Owen, "here's the beginning of the fortune!" + +Sam, of course, hastened to help, and to take his share, and both boys +were too much engaged for the next hour to have any more lengthened +conversation. As it grew dusk they started for home, carrying the basket +between them, well pleased with the result of their afternoon's work. + +The schoolhouse, with the adjoining cottage for the schoolmaster, stood +somewhat apart from the other houses. Both buildings were almost covered +with ivy and monthly roses, some of which were even now blooming, though +it was late in the year. The little garden in front of the cottage was +trim and tidy, though all was still and quiet as the boys pushed the +gate open and went in. Owen's mother had died before he could remember, +but his father had so loved and cared for his only child, that the boy +realised no loss or want. His father was everything to him, and he +repaid his care with most grateful love. The two lived alone in the +rose-covered cottage, and did the needful work, with the help of a woman +who came in twice a-week to do the washing and set things straight in +general. She was in the kitchen when the boys went in. + +"Is that you, Owen?" she said, raising her voice, that he might hear her +in the front parlour. + +"Yes, Mrs. Mitchell, it's all right; it is only me and Sam. Where is +father?" he added, going into the kitchen, where she was busily ironing. + +"He's gone to Allenbury," she answered shortly. + +"Gone to town! He never said anything about going!" exclaimed the boy, +with surprise, for his father mostly made him his confidant in +everything. + +"He'll be back in good time; he said he had to go on particular +business." And Mrs. Mitchell turned back to her ironing, as if she did +not care to be questioned. + +Owen looked at her anxiously, but he did not speak again, and returned +to the next room with a somewhat saddened face. He had noticed that his +father was not quite himself lately, and he feared that there was some +trouble pressing on him, that he should go off to Allenbury like this, +without saying a word. + +Sam was already dividing the nuts, and in this interesting occupation +Owen soon forgot his anxiety, and was laughing and joking with his +friend, as if there was no such thing as trouble in the world. + +"Well," said Sam at last, "I must go, I suppose; I have those cows to +see after, and father is pretty strict if I don't attend them well. It's +fine to be you, having your time to yourself, and nothing to do." + +"Nothing to do!" echoed Owen. "Why, I've no idle time, I can tell you. I +have the water to fetch in, and the wood to chop, and the garden to see +to, besides my lessons, and father is very particular about them." + +"When are you going to leave school? You are near fourteen, are you not? +I left when I was twelve. Shall you go to school when you are a man?" + +Owen laughed. "Father wants me to learn all I can; he says we can't have +too much education, and if I want to make a fortune, I must gather all +knowledge I can now." + +"How will geography, and sums, and history help you to make your +fortune?" + +"I don't know _how_, but I suppose they all come in. If I didn't know +anything of geography, how could I trade with foreign countries, or know +where to write for the stuff I wanted? And how could I tell whether they +were cheating me or not, if I couldn't add up my sums? I should like to +learn foreign languages too, to be able to talk to the merchants myself; +but father does not know any language but English." + +Sam looked wonderingly at his young companion's eager face. He did not +care for education himself, and he could not understand the desire for +it in Owen. He had passed through school, as do many, learning just so +much as he was obliged, and no more. Though he could read and write, it +was very seldom he took up either book or pen, spending his time in +wandering about the lanes and woods when he was released from the farm +duties which fell to his share. He was a good-natured, pleasant +companion, but could in no way share Owen's aspirations, though it +amused him to listen to them. + +When he was gone, Owen took up a book in order to study his lessons for +the next day, but the fading light soon drove him into the brighter +region of the fire. The warm glow spread itself all over the little +kitchen, and even the snowy linen on the table looked attractive as it +grew gradually smoother and fairer under Mrs. Mitchell's experienced +hands. Owen watched her a while from the chimney-corner, and presently +he said-- + +"It must be very nice to iron, Mrs. Mitchell; to see the things that +look all rough, and uncomfortable, and damp, smoothing themselves out +under your hand, and looking pleasant and happy." + +Mrs. Mitchell was a character in her way, and had many thoughts under +her somewhat stern face, but it had never occurred to her that the +clothes were any happier for being ironed. + +"I expect it is you who are happier for seeing the things smooth, Owen," +she said; "it makes no difference to them, of course. But it do make a +great difference to us to have things nice about us. I suppose that is +the reason the dear Lord says, 'Whatsoever things are lovely, ... think +on these things.'" + +"Do you think that God cares about our having things nice and pretty?" + +"Why, my dear, of course I do. Do you think God would have taken all the +trouble to put so much beauty into the world if He hadn't meant us to +love it and enjoy it? See what lots of flowers He has given us, and +such beautiful colours, even turning the leaves bright for us when the +flowers are going. And when the snow comes down, He arranges it as +beautiful as possible, making the very frost trace delicate patterns on +the windows, and on the ground." + +"Yes, I know," said Owen, eagerly; "father was reading to me yesterday +how that every snow-flake is a crystal." + +"Ah, I expect the more you search into God's works, the more beauty you +will find, Owen." The good woman went on busily with her work as she +spoke, presently adding, "I think, too, that God's children should +always try to have things nice and pleasant about them, at least, as far +as may be. I know that a struggling woman, with a lot of little +children, can't have things as nice as she would. But every one may be +clean, and if all did their best, the world would look different to what +it does now." + +"Mrs. Mitchell, I am going to do my best, and make my fortune one day." + +"I am very glad, Owen; I hope you will." + +"Do you? That is kind of you. Sam Netherclift laughs, and thinks I shall +never do it." + +"You may do it, if you seek it in the right way. There are two sorts of +fortune, Owen. I hope you'll get the better." + +"Two sorts! What are they?" + +"One is a fortune of riches that take to themselves wings, and soon fly +away; and the other sort is 'durable riches.'" + +"Oh, I should make a fortune that would last, of course. Riches that +fly away are not of much use. I should seek the best fortune, Mrs. +Mitchell." + +"I hope so, I hope so, indeed," said the woman, as she set down her cool +iron, and took a fresh one from the fire. + +Owen did not reply at once; he fancied there was some hidden meaning in +Mrs. Mitchell's words, but he did not understand what it was. He turned +to his book, and for a while there was silence, only broken by the sound +of the iron on the board. + +Presently he looked up, and asked, "Did father say when he would be in, +Mrs. Mitchell?" + +"No, he said he wasn't sure, but he should not be late." + +"You knew my mother, didn't you? I wish she had lived till now." + +"Ah, you may well wish that. A sweeter and a better woman never lived. +Yes, I knew her, and tended her in her last illness. She was a rich +woman, too." + +"A rich woman! how do you make that out?" + +"Rich in faith, and love, and good works; those are the riches that +last, Owen. You will never be rich unless you come to the Saviour." + +"Squire Rowland is rich, and he isn't----" Owen paused for a suitable +word--"you know what I mean, Mrs. Mitchell; he does not go to church, or +visit the poor." + +"No, I fear he is not a child of God, poor man. He is rich in this +world's goods; but this world will not last for ever, and we shall live +on after this world is burnt up. So it is best to have riches we can +take with us. Better be poor here, and rich in the world to come, than +rich on earth, to pine in miserable poverty for ever." + +"But will all rich men be poor in the other world?" + +"No, indeed. God sometimes gives earthly riches to His children to spend +for Him, though I must say I think they are generally poor. But those of +God's children who are rich here count their money the least part of +their fortune. A wealthy Christian man once lost all his money by the +breaking of a bank, and a friend meeting him after, said, 'I am sorry to +hear you have lost everything.' He replied, 'It is a mistake; I have not +lost everything. I have not lost Christ, I have not lost heaven, nor +God's Word, nor the peace He gives. And on earth I have not lost my +wife, nor my health, nor my senses, nor many good friends.' You see, +Owen, one may be very rich, and yet have very little money." + +"But money is a good thing, too; we cannot do without it." + +"It is good for what we can do with it. Money is no good stored away and +laid up. But it may be of great use and blessing if laid out and spent +for the Saviour. Yet I think those people are the happiest who have just +enough for every day's use." + +"I don't know, Mrs. Mitchell. I should like to have more than I could +count." + +"God grant you never may, Owen; it would ruin you, body and soul. Seek +the lasting riches, and leave God to give you sufficient means to live +on. Isn't that a Bible on the shelf? Just reach it down, and turn to +Proverbs, the eighth chapter and seventeenth and eighteenth verses." + +Owen did as he was bid, and read out aloud, "I love them that love Me; +and those that seek Me early shall find Me. Riches and honour are with +Me; yea, durable riches and righteousness." + +"That's the true fortune; God give you grace to seek it." + +Owen did not reply; he sat with the book in his hands, looking +thoughtfully into the fire, till suddenly he heard a step outside, and +jumped up to greet his father. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +CHANGES. + + +Mr. Hadleigh was a tall, thin, anxious-looking man, a great contrast to +his son. He entered the room slowly, and sat down in the arm-chair by +the fire, as if he were very weary. + +"Are you not well, father?" asked Owen, anxiously. + +"I have had a long walk, my son. I shall be better when I have had some +tea." + +Owen was accustomed to wait upon his father, and soon put the tea in the +little teapot, and set it down by the fire to brew while he fetched the +bread and butter out of a neighbouring cupboard, and cutting a slice of +bread off the loaf, he knelt down before the fire to toast it. Mrs. +Mitchell meanwhile put her irons away, and folded up the remaining +clothes without a word, except just as she was tying on her bonnet she +ventured to say, "I suppose you got through your business, Mr. Hadleigh. +It seems to have knocked you up a bit." + +"Yes; the result was what I expected. But I am more concerned for others +than for myself." + +"God can see after them, and care for them even better than you can. His +ways are always better than ours." + +"No doubt; but one cannot always realise it," said the schoolmaster +wearily. + +Mrs. Mitchell ventured no more than a quiet "good-night," as she saw +Owen was listening to the conversation, evidently desiring to know what +they meant. But when she was by herself out in the road, she said +softly, "Poor things, they are both in trouble. Mr. Hadleigh is a clever +man, no doubt, and gets the children on wonderful; but he has not got +that quiet trust in God that Mrs. Hadleigh had. God give it him!" + +Just as she turned the corner of the lane leading to her cottage, she +met the vicar. + +"Ha, Mrs. Mitchell, I have just been to your cottage, but your little +girl told me you were not in yet. I hear that Mr. Hadleigh has some +trouble pressing upon him. I have thought him looking anxious and +careworn for some time; but he is such a reserved man, one cannot get +much out of him. I thought perhaps you could give me a hint how I could +help him." + +"Indeed, sir, I wish you would go and see him; I fear he is in a sad +way. He has not been feeling well for a long time, though he will not +own it. He will not go to Dr. Benson for fear all the village should +talk; but to-day he went over to Allenbury to see Dr. Foster, and he has +evidently told him some bad news about himself, for he seemed very low +when he came in; but Owen was there, so I could not ask." + +"No; the poor boy will feel it sadly if his father is really seriously +ill. I never saw such deep attachment between father and son." + +Meanwhile Owen and his father were having a little talk. The poor boy +seemed very uneasy during tea, and as soon as he had cleared away the +remains of the meal, he sat down on his accustomed seat by his father's +side, and said anxiously, "What is it father? Something is wrong, I am +sure." + +Mr. Hadleigh put his hand on the boy's head for a few moments without +speaking. Presently he said, "You have often talked of making your +fortune, Owen; how should you like to go to your Uncle James, and learn +his business as a beginning?" + +"I should like to go into business very well, father, but I could not +leave you. You will not send me away?" + +"No, I will not do that, but I may have to leave you, Owen. The doctor +says my heart is seriously diseased." + +Mr. Hadleigh could get no further for the look of dismay that crept over +his son's face. But, boy-like he would not let the tears fall, keeping +his eyes steadfastly fixed on the fire, till his voice was calm enough +to say, "Perhaps the doctor was mistaken, and you may get better. +Doctors are often wrong." + +"It may be," returned Mr. Hadleigh, anxious not to grieve the boy too +much at first. + +While they were talking, Mr. Sturt, the vicar, came in, and Owen gladly +took the opportunity of escaping upstairs for a while. It was a sore +trouble to him, for he loved his father devotedly; but after the first +grief was over, hope took her place again, and the boy went downstairs +more cheerfully than his father expected. + +The days and weeks passed by, and things went on much as usual for Owen. +His father still taught in the school, and the boy did all he could to +help him, sweeping out the schoolroom, and getting up in the dark +mornings to light the fire before his father was out of bed--in every +way he could, trying to lessen his father's work. But Mr. Hadleigh's +health was not again alluded to. No doubt he spoke of it to Mrs. +Mitchell, who was often in and out, but Owen heard nothing of it, and he +began to hope it was all a mistake. The winter came in early, with sharp +frosts and snow, and Owen, with his friend Sam, was often on the ponds a +good part of the day, sliding and skating to his heart's content. + +One evening, as he ran home glowing with exercise and fun, his father +asked him, "How shall you like the town, Owen? It will be a great +contrast to the country." + +"I should not like it at all, father; except, I suppose, one can get +more money there." + +"Yes, I suppose so. Your uncle is reckoned a rich man, and he has always +been annoyed with me that I did not go into business too; but I had no +taste for it. Country life always had greater charms for me, even with +less to live upon. But I think you will get on, Owen; you have more push +in you than I ever had. Only don't let the earthly fortune that you +desire, blind your eyes to the heavenly riches. I neglected them too +long, and though I can thank God that He has saved me, +yet I often fear I shall have little reward yonder, for I have hidden my +hope in my own breast, and have been content to keep my riches to +myself, instead of trading with them. Mind that you do otherwise, Owen. +Seek _first_ the kingdom of God, and all other things needful, food and +clothing, shall be added unto you." + +These were the last words that Owen ever heard from his father's lips. +He had not seemed worse that night, but before the next morning he had +passed away. At first Owen was inconsolable, and would not be comforted +at all. But kind neighbours gathered round, and in the evening his uncle +arrived, having been telegraphed for by Mr. Sturt, according to Mr. +Hadleigh's instructions. + +Mr. James Hadleigh was a great contrast to his brother; he was a strong, +active man, quick, business-like, and energetic. He seemed to know +exactly what to do, and speedily made all arrangements. He could not +stay long in the village, of course; he had his business to attend to. +But he had promised his brother to look after Owen, and he would take +him back with him. A few of his brother's belongings were packed up for +the boy, but the rest Mr. James Hadleigh decided should be sold. There +were several things that Owen greatly desired to keep; the arm-chair +that his father used, a small cabinet which contained botanical +specimens that his father had collected, some books of his mother's, and +other treasures. But his uncle spoke decidedly-- + +"Nonsense; they are mostly old things. I cannot have my house filled +with lumber. Your clothes and a few books are all that I can allow you +to take; the remainder must be sold. The money will be useful to you, +till you are able to earn something. I began life with half-a-crown, and +by laying it out judiciously, have obtained a tolerable income for +myself. You will have more than I had, and ought to do better." + +Owen did not say more then, but when he went up to the vicarage to bid +good-bye to Mr. Sturt, he told him of his trouble. The vicar listened +sympathisingly; he knew well that such treasures are not to be valued +with money, and he felt, too, that such home-valuables might be helps to +the boy amid the temptations of a town life. This little glimpse of Mr. +James Hadleigh's character, too, made him fear that the boy would have +very different surroundings to what he had been accustomed; but he +determined not to discourage him, so he only said, kindly-- + +"I am sorry your uncle has not more room for your belongings; but I +think I can help you. I will buy those things you value most, and when +you have a room where you can put them, you shall have them again." + +"Thank you, sir," said Owen, gratefully. "I will pay you back all you +give for them, sir. I am going to make my fortune, and do the best I +can." + +"I hope indeed you will do the best you can whatever your hands find to +do. But as to making your fortune, that is another matter, and I don't +know that I can wish you success in that. Seek the heavenly riches, my +boy, and amid all the lower aims of earth, keep your heart fresh and +pure by yielding yourself to the Saviour, and asking His grace to live +only for Him." + +The next day Owen and his uncle started on their journey; they had a +long way to go, and it was quite a novelty to Owen to go any distance in +a train. At first he was very sorrowful; the little village had been his +home all his life, and he felt that no other place could ever be the +same to him. His eyes filled as he thought of his dear father, but he +was glad to know that he was doing just what his father wished in going +with his uncle. By-and-by the train stopped at a station, and when they +went on again, Owen found that he and his uncle were alone in the +carriage. He wished he would talk to him; his father would have pointed +out places of interest, and been so companionable, but his uncle seemed +wrapped up in his own thoughts. + +"Have we much farther to go, please?" ventured Owen at last. + +"About an hour more," said his uncle, turning round, as if suddenly +aware of his presence. "What can you do?" he asked, after a pause; "have +you been accustomed to work at all?" + +"I did odd jobs about the house, sir, but I never went out to work; +father wanted me to learn all I could." + +"Wanted to make a scholar of you, did he?" + +"No; but he said learning was always a good thing, and he would give me +as much as he could." + +"Humph, your father was always an unpractical man. You might have been +earning a nice little sum now." + +"Perhaps I shall be able to work better for what father taught me," said +the boy, timidly. + +Mr. Hadleigh looked at his orphan nephew, and said more kindly, "Perhaps +you will; your father was a good man, though he did not know how to make +money. Do you know much of arithmetic?" + +"Yes, I am very fond of it." + +"That's a good thing; a quick reckoner is valuable in business. Of +course you know you will have to work. Your aunt and Clarice both help, +and I can keep no idler on the premises." + +"Is Clarice my cousin?" + +"Yes; she is some years older than you, though. She helps me with the +books, and makes a good business woman. I think that everybody, young +people specially, should stick to their work. If people did that, there +would not be so many poor about." + +"But people cannot help being poor, can they? Some are always richer +than others." + +"That may be, but all can earn their own living, if they will. If not, +they have no business to live." + +Owen was rather startled at this view of things, and did not reply. But +the end of the journey was nearly reached; already he saw tall chimneys +and spires, and numbers of houses in the distance, and soon they were in +that dull haze that always surrounds large towns. But there was no time +to think about it, for the train pulled up at a large station, and all +was bustle and confusion, as people ran here and there in anxiety for +their luggage. + +His uncle thought Owen quite capable of carrying his own belongings, and +led the way down a narrow street into a broader one, with some fine +buildings; then, to the boy's surprise, over a bridge, which crossed a +fine dock filled with shipping, for he had no idea that Barmston was a +seaport town. He was tempted to stop and look at the busy life, where +the twinkling lights of the lamps were reflected in the dark waters of +the dock. But his uncle was walking with rapid steps, and he ran to keep +up with him. As he turned into the broad market-place, he entered a +bright, cheerful grocer's shop, over which Owen had just time to catch +the name "Hadleigh" in large letters. + +His uncle passed at once into the counting-house, and entered into eager +conversation with a man who was there, and a young girl, who, Owen +concluded, was his cousin. But nobody seemed to think of the orphan, who +sat on his box in a corner of the bright and busy shop, unnoticed and +uncared for. After a while he grew so interested in watching the various +customers that he almost forgot where he was, till a clear voice close +at his side asked pleasantly, "Are you my cousin Owen?" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +MAKING HIS FORTUNE. + + +Owen sprang up and acknowledged the relationship, following the girl +through the back of the shop, upstairs to a pleasant room, where tea was +already spread. + +"Father is busy with Dawson just for a few minutes," she said, "but +mother will be here presently. Oh, there she is. Mother, here is Owen; +where is he to sleep?" + +"In the little room at the top of the stairs," replied a middle-aged, +active-looking woman, who stood before Owen, without giving him a word +of greeting, saying, critically, "You look pretty capable; are you +willing to work?" + +"Oh yes, ma'am; I will do anything I can." + +"That is right," said Clarice, kindly; "come, I will show you your room, +and you can wash your hands and face, and then come down to tea. I +expect you want something after your journey." + +Owen looked gratefully at his cousin as he carried his box upstairs +after her. The little room in which she left him was dreary and cold, +so different to his pretty little bedroom at home, which his father had +made so cheerful and pleasant. But Owen was determined not to look on +the dark side. He peeped out of the window; it looked down on the busy +street, and the tops of the houses. As far as he could see were +house-tops, and he wondered how far off the country could be. He felt a +little sore at his aunt's cool manner, and was almost inclined to cry, +as he turned to the washstand to follow his cousin's suggestion. The +cold water refreshed him, and things looked brighter when he made his +way down to the parlour, and found only Clarice waiting for him. + +"You and I will have tea by ourselves," she said, cheerfully; "father is +not ready yet, and mother has gone down to him. Would you like a slice +of ham? Here is bread, and a nice hot cup of tea. I wonder how you will +like the town." + +So Clarice chatted away, trying to make the boy at home. The warm tea +revived him, and his cousin's kindness won his heart, so that when she +said, "I am so glad you have come, I know we shall be good friends," he +was able to respond, "Yes, I am glad too; you are good and pretty." + +Clarice laughed. "Nobody ever told me that before. I have to work too +hard to be pretty. Father and mother let no one be idle. We must do all +we can to make a fortune." But she said it somewhat bitterly, and Owen +did not know how to reply, though he said, after a pause, "Don't you +want to make a fortune?" + +"I would rather enjoy what money we have," said Clarice. "What is the +good of going on heaping up money all your life, and never enjoying what +it brings at all?" + +"That is what Mrs. Mitchell said." + +"Who is Mrs. Mitchell?" + +"A neighbour of ours. She said it was best to get 'durable riches.'" + +"What sort of riches are they?" + +"I don't quite know, but they are in the Bible; I read it there." + +"Oh," said Clarice, "I don't know much of the Bible. Perhaps it would be +better if I did, but father would not like me to spend time reading it. +Will you have some more tea? No? Then we had better go down, and father +and mother can come up. Father never likes to leave the counting-house +unless one of us is there, but I don't see why he can't trust Dawson." + +Owen followed his cousin downstairs. The shop was now brightly lighted +up, and the fragrant smell of newly-ground coffee pervaded the place. +Looking out at the door, he could see the twinkling lights of the pier +at the end of the broad street, and the tall, dark masts of the vessels +in the river; while nearer were rows of bright shops, and many feet +hurrying past. It was a great change for the country-bred boy. + +"What time do the people go to bed here?" he asked, as he returned to +his cousin. + +"Why, not yet for a long time." + +"They all look as if it was the middle of the day, and in Westbrook +every one was at home and quiet after tea." + +Clarice laughed. "You will see a great difference here, Owen." + +The next morning his uncle told him he must set to work, and gave him +some employment at once, quite to Owen's satisfaction, for he did not +care to be idle. It was a new thing to be busy about a shop, but he +liked the change. It had been arranged that he should serve his uncle +for the first three months without payment, only getting his board and +lodging; but after that, if he proved capable, his uncle promised him a +small salary. + +"Of course you will have to buy your clothes out of it. But if you +really wish to make your fortune, take my advice, never spend more than +you can help! Save up all you can, and never buy anything you can +possibly do without." + +Owen promised obedience, and threw his whole heart into his work. Poor +lad, he seemed in danger of forgetting his father's advice, and the +unworldly lessons he had learnt in earlier days, as he made haste to be +rich. For no one in his uncle's household seemed to think of anything +beyond this present life. His uncle was somewhat strict with him, though +on the whole he treated him kindly, while his aunt was very cool and +stern. But Clarice was very fond of her young cousin, and whenever she +could obtain her father's consent, would take him out with her, and walk +along the river-side, or round the docks, where the boy never ceased to +wonder at the new and strange things he saw. + +Among the men and boys employed in the shop, Owen was much attracted by +a young errand-boy, about his own age, whom everybody called "David," +and he soon made friends with him. David was very obliging, and always +willing to help Owen any way he could, which was not the case with +Norris, one of the young men, who seemed to take a delight in thwarting +and hindering him. + +One day when David had some extra heavy parcels to carry, Owen was sent +out with him, and as they walked along, he asked him his surname. + +"David Netherclift," he replied. + +"What!" said Owen, "Netherclift, did you say?" + +"Yes, why not?" + +"Why, Sam Netherclift was my greatest friend down home. It is funny you +should have the same name." + +"Where is your home?" + +"At Westbrook, near Allenbury; a long way from here." + +"Westbrook? I have often heard my father speak of it; his brother lives +there. I expect Sam is my cousin. I'll ask father." + +"Oh, do. Does your father live near here?" + +"Not far off. But we must not go there now." + +"Why not?" + +"Because this is the time for work. Father says it is as bad as stealing +to take my master's time for my own use. I'll ask him all about it +to-night, and tell you in the morning." + +"I expect your father is something like mine was," said Owen; "he was so +good, and never let me do wrong if he could help it." + +"Is he dead?" asked David. + +"Yes, he died some time ago. If he had been alive I should not be here, +for I would never have left him." + +When the boys returned to the shop, they were both set busily to work, +and had no time for further conversation. But next day David found +opportunity to say, "Sam is my cousin, and father says he hopes you will +come and see him some day; he would like to hear about Westbrook." + +Owen was getting rapidly initiated into business habits, and being a +quick, intelligent boy, did not often want telling twice how to do a +thing, so that his uncle regarded him with favour, and at times allowed +him to help Clarice in the counting-house when she was extra busy. The +boy missed the country life, the long walks, the skating, the thousand +pleasures of unfettered rural life, and he sometimes wished he could +have a holiday, though he never said so to his uncle, but stuck manfully +to his work till late every night, and then threw himself on his bed, +and went sound asleep. + +Mr. Hadleigh seldom went to church; indeed, the whole family were +generally too tired on a Sunday, after a week of incessant labour, to do +anything but rest. In fine weather Clarice generally went for a walk in +the afternoon, and her father sometimes accompanied her. But on winter +evenings they sat round the fire, yawning and tired, wishing the hours +would pass rapidly by, so that the shop could be opened again. Mr. +Hadleigh really cared for nothing but business. + +The first Sunday or two Owen was very miserable. Sundays had been such +bright days in his old home. He had always gone to church with his +father in the morning, and to a class he held for elder boys in the +afternoon; and though he had not always taken heed to the lessons as he +ought, he had at any rate enjoyed the time. And he looked back to the +Westbrook Sundays as days of peaceful rest. The first Sunday after he +had found out that David was a cousin of his old friend Sam, he ventured +to ask his uncle if he might go and spend the afternoon with the +Netherclifts. His uncle gave him leave, not caring what he did on +Sundays, so long as he attended well to his work during the week. + +Owen started off eagerly, and just round the corner saw David, who had +come to meet him by agreement. They walked some little distance, till +they reached a narrower street, with smaller houses--a dingy street Owen +thought it. But David stopped at a house which looked brighter than the +rest, having clean blinds and curtains to the windows, and a very white +stone step at the door. Owen noticed this as he followed David in. + +"This is Owen Hadleigh, father," he said, bringing him into the little +sitting-room. + +"I am very glad to see you," said Mr. Netherclift; "but I cannot rise to +greet you. I am a constant prisoner with rheumatism." + +And then Owen noticed that the man's hands, too, were twisted and +swollen with the same painful disease. He hardly knew what to say. But +Mr. Netherclift was anxious to set him at his ease, and bid David bring +a chair forward, as he remarked-- + +"You have come from Westbrook, David tells me. I used to go there often, +many years ago." + +"Did you really?" asked Owen, eagerly, ready for a talk with one who +knew his old home. "Did you know my father, too?" + +"I have seen him, but I don't think I ever spoke to him. My visits to my +brother were always short, so I did not get to know many of his friends. +And so your father is now home with Christ; it is a blessed change even +from such a pretty place as Westbrook." + +"Yes, and he was glad to go; though he was sorry to leave me," said the +boy, wistfully. "Mother died when I was a baby, so now I have nobody." + +"Have you not got Christ?" + +Owen looked up inquiringly; he did not quite know his friend's meaning. + +"The blessed Saviour loves you, my boy; have you no love in your heart +for Him? Those who belong to Him can never say they have nobody to love +them. Are you not his child?" + +The question was asked very tenderly, and Owen looked into the kind face +that watched his so earnestly, as he said, slowly, "I don't think so." + +"Then I am sure you are both poor and lonely." + +"Yes, I am poor, because father had very little to leave me--only a few +books and furniture. But I have come to Barmston to make my fortune." + +"I hope you will find the truest fortune; it is already made for you, +and all you have to do is to accept it." + +"What is the truest fortune?" + +"It is to belong to Christ, the King of kings. The peace and rest and +joy He gives are riches of untold price, more valuable--infinitely +so--than any wealth of earth. And they are riches that will last for +ever." + +"How can we get them?" + +"By first of all realising our poverty, that we, you and I, are poor +lost sinners in ourselves, fit for nothing but hell, and that we can do +nothing to save ourselves. Then, knowing this fact, because God says it, +to come just as we are, and believe in His Son, who died to save us from +all sin." + +Owen listened earnestly, the boy's heart was roused; it was God's +message to him. He looked thoughtfully into the fire for a few moments. +Presently he said, "Father's last words to me were to seek the heavenly +riches." + +"Have you sought them?" + +"There is no time here in Barmston. From morning to night I am as busy +as can be, often till ten o'clock, and then I am so tired I almost drop +asleep while I am undressing." + +"Poor boy, you are hard-worked. But remember this, God never puts you +into any place where you cannot seek Him. Do you never read your Bible, +or speak to God in prayer?" + + [Illustration: "DID YOU KNOW MY FATHER?"--_Page 33._] + +"Not now. Perhaps I shall have more time when I am older." + +"Nay, never think that. God says, 'Now is the day of salvation.' You may +not live to be older." + +The conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Netherclift coming in with the +tea, and directly after the two boys went out together to a neighbouring +mission-hall, where David's father knew they would hear an earnest +Gospel message. He, being unable to walk, remained at home, earnestly +praying that both lads might get a blessing. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +AN UNEXPECTED TRIAL. + + +David Netherclift ushered Owen into a small, but cheerful and +brightly-lighted mission-hall. The place was nearly full, but they found +comfortable seats, and the service almost immediately commenced. The +singing was hearty, and the speaker's manner so earnest and manly that +Owen's attention was gained even before he began to preach. But when he +read out his text, the boy listened still more earnestly, for the words +seemed to have some reference to the fortune he so eagerly desired. +Slowly and deliberately they were read out: "Ye know the grace of our +Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He +became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." + +"You see here," began the speaker, "that One who was rich gave up His +wealth, and became a poor man that you, poor men, women, and children, +might become rich. It was a wonderful thing to do, for it was not only +that He gave up home and comfort and wealth for poor people, but for +those who cared nothing for Him, even for His enemies. And He did it out +of His own great love and grace. Who was it who did this? It was the +Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, the God who made the world, and +all those countless stars that fill our sky. If it was a good man that +had done it, we should have thought it a great thing to do; but that God +should stoop so low fills us with surprise. He might have stayed in +heaven, rejoicing in His Father's love, listening to the songs and +adoration of the angels, leaving us in our poverty and ruin to die +eternally. But no; out of His boundless love and grace, He came to +suffer and die--'for your sakes.' + +"Yes, for our sakes, because we were poor, lost sinners, and He pitied +us. So He came down from heaven, and lived a poor man, dying a death of +shame to redeem us and save us from hell. Should we not then seek His +rich salvation, and take the wealth the Saviour went through such deep +poverty to win for us? You may refuse it; God does not force it upon +you. But oh, the terrible punishment that will fall on those who neglect +or reject God's salvation! + +"You, here before me, are mostly poor; you would all like to be rich. +Listen, then, to God's Word: 'The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, +and He addeth no sorrow with it.' The heavenly riches never disappoint, +never fly away, but last on, growing deeper and fuller, right into +eternity. Who will come to Christ to-night, and seek His unsearchable +riches?" + +They were simple words simply spoken, but were God's message to many +hearts. Owen did not say much as he walked home with his friend; but he +did not forget the words he had heard. That night he opened his Bible +for the first time since he came to Barmston, and knelt in prayer before +he went to bed. All that week he was very thoughtful, longing for Sunday +to come, that he might again have some help heavenward, for he was +beginning to set his face that way. Not that he neglected his work. No; +his uncle never found him more diligent and active, though he was on his +feet from morning till night, and was often thoroughly tired out. + +"No sorrow with it," he said softly to himself one evening, as he was +copying some writing by his cousin's side in the counting-house. + +"What do you say, Owen?" + +The boy smiled. "I did not know I was speaking out loud," he said. + +"But what did you say about 'no sorrow'?" + +"It was something I heard on Sunday: 'The blessing of the Lord it maketh +rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.'" + +"Those riches must be worth getting," said Clarice, after a pause, with +tears in her eyes. She had long known a deeply unsatisfied feeling in +her heart, though no one suspected it; and she herself hardly knew how +the uneasiness arose. + +"Yes, I think so too," said Owen, as he went on busily with his work. + +It was only a few days after this that Mr. Hadleigh called his nephew to +him, and said, "Clarice has to go on business for me over to Horley, +across the river, and she wants you to go too; so run and change your +jacket, and get ready to go with her." + +"Thank you, uncle," said the boy, delighted at the prospect of a change. +He had never been on the river before, and it was a great charm to him +to step on board the little steamer waiting at the pier-head, and start +off in the fresh breeze across the river. + +"How long will it take us?" he asked his cousin. + +"About twenty minutes crossing; then we have to go into the village for +father, and take the next boat back." + +"How curious it feels; it looks as if the town and pier were moving +away." + +"Yes, it often does at first; but it is really we who are moving. You +will see better when we get farther out into the river." + +The shipping and the new sights occupied the boy the whole way across, +and Clarice had to answer numberless questions, so that it was not till +they had reached the other side, and were walking down a country road to +the neighbouring village, that she was able to say, "Do you know why I +asked father to let you come to-day?" + +"Because you are kind, and wanted me to have a holiday." + +"It was not altogether that," said the girl, looking down on the young +boy at her side; "I wanted you to tell me more about that 'no sorrow.'" + +"Why, I told you all I knew." + +"Ah, but how can we get it?" + +The boy hesitated. "You must come with me to the mission-hall on Sunday +night, and hear the preacher yourself, Clarice. Then you will know all +about it." + +"I cannot do that; mother would not let me, nor father either, I fear." + +"But they let me." + +"Yes; but they had a talk about it the first Sunday evening you were +gone. Mother said she did not like you to go at all, but father said as +long as you did your work well he did not mind where you went on +Sundays, as you are a boy. So you really must tell me more, Owen. No one +but you can help me." + +"I don't know what to tell you. I don't quite understand it myself yet. +He said we were to read the Bible and pray, and seek the salvation God +offers. He said the Lord Jesus loves us, and wants us to be His +children." + +"Are you His child?" + +"I don't know. I want to be. Father and mother were, and----" the boy +stopped. + +"I must know more about it," said Clarice, earnestly; "you must listen +for yourself and me too, Owen, when you go again, and try to remember +all you can to tell me." + +When they returned to Barmston, they found Mr. Hadleigh evidently in a +bad temper. He was talking very loudly, and seemed considerably annoyed. +The moment he caught sight of Owen, he called him to him. + +"Didn't you put out that order for Mr. Davenport yesterday? I gave it +into your hands." + +"Yes, sir, I did it. I weighed out the things, and wrapped them up." + +"This comes of trusting to boys," he said, bitterly; "but you seemed +different to most. Mr. Davenport has just been in, and says the things +never arrived." + +"I packed them up all right," said Owen, respectfully, but firmly. + +"Whose place was it to take them out?" + +"It was David's round." + +"Then the matter lies between you and David. Which of you stole the +goods?" + +"Oh, father!" exclaimed Clarice, "neither of them would do such a +thing." + +"Well, the goods must be somewhere," he replied, half-ashamed of his hot +words. "Norris has often given me hints about the two, David and Owen; +he says they are too much together for good." + +"I expect Norris is at the bottom of it," said Clarice, eager to defend +her young cousin. + +"Nonsense. Norris has been with us for years. I would trust him as well +as anybody. Owen, you can go to your own room for the present, till I +decide what is to be done. Send David to me as soon as he returns." + +Poor Owen, it was a sad ending to a pleasant little holiday. Things +looked black, but he knew he had done as he was told, and that the goods +had been carefully wrapped up, and laid on the counter ready to be taken +away. Yet how could he prove it? Norris had seen him weighing the things +out, but he had turned against him, and there was no other witness. He +sat down by the side of his bed, and wondered what he should do if his +uncle sent him to prison. Could he not run away? There were lots of +ships about; perhaps he could get work on one of them. But better +thoughts prevailed, and at last he sank on his knees, and prayed that +some way might be found for him out of his trouble. + +Meanwhile David had been questioned, and said that he had never been +given anything for Mr. Davenport. He showed his book, stating what +houses he had called at, and answered so straightforwardly that Mr. +Hadleigh at once acquitted him of all complicity in wrong-doing. + +"It is just that nephew of yours, Mr. Hadleigh," said his wife; "a +little sneaking fellow, trying to toady himself into your favour by +industry, and then returning it in this fashion." + +"Owen never did it," said Clarice, decidedly. + +"Ah, you always favoured him. You and your father should have believed +me, and this would never have occurred," said her mother, sweeping out +of the room. + +Clarice possessed great influence with her father, so when they were +alone, he asked, "Don't you really think it is Owen?" + +"No, father, I don't. I am certain he would not do such a thing. His +father brought him up too well for that. Things have been missing before +he came. If I were you, I should look after somebody else." + +Nothing more was said. Business went on as usual till ten o'clock; then +the shop was closed, and the family went upstairs to the sitting-room. +No one had been near Owen, or had even thought of taking him food, till +Clarice suddenly remembered he had had nothing since breakfast; so +filling a plate with some bread and butter, and a slice of cold meat, +she hastily left the room, unquestioned by her parents. + +Owen had fallen asleep, with his head resting against the washstand, and +Clarice noticed that there were traces of tears on his face. She touched +his arm, and he jumped up in a moment. + +"I have brought you something to eat," she said, kindly; "I am so sorry +I forgot to do so before; I am afraid you are nearly starved." + +"No, it didn't matter; but I am glad to have it now. What is going to be +done?" he asked, watching his cousin's face anxiously. + +"Nothing can be done to-night. Father wants to find out the truth, of +course. I think if we asked God to let it be seen who took the things, +He would make it plain." + +"I am sure he would if we were His children. But you see we are not." +The words were said sorrowfully and slowly. + +Clarice did not reply for a moment, as she watched her cousin eating his +supper. "We must see what to-morrow brings," she said, at last; "go to +bed now." + +Mr. Hadleigh could find no direct evidence against Owen. The goods had +vanished, certainly, but it was not at all clear who had taken them. He +did not care to prosecute his own nephew, and he would not turn him +adrift for his dead brother's sake. So things went on much as usual, +though the boy knew he was only tolerated, and was carefully watched, +whatever he did. + +When Sunday came, Owen gladly went off to his kind friends. Mr. +Netherclift had heard all about the accusation from David, and felt much +for the orphan lad. Again he put the Gospel earnestly and faithfully +before him; but he was a wise man; he would not hurry any soul, though +he knew there must be a moment of decision, and he entreated the boy not +to put it off. As to the present trial, he urged Owen to do his +every-day work faithfully and well, as under the eye of God, and he felt +sure that his uncle would in time be assured that he was not the +culprit. + +"It seems strange this should happen just now, when I want to do right. +It is only this week that I have begun to read my Bible again. When I +didn't read it nothing disagreeable happened." + +"Ah, my boy, if you were older and more experienced, you would know why. +When you were content to live just for this world alone, without a +thought of God and eternal things, Satan left you alone. But the moment +you begin to seek God, Satan does all he can to hinder and keep you +back. No doubt he has stirred up some of his servants to work you this +evil; but be sure of this, God will right you in good time." + +A quiet, happy evening was spent, Owen feeling very grateful for +sympathy, and being much cheered to see that the Netherclifts never for +one moment doubted his honesty. But he went home early, saying he wished +to be alone, and would not go to the mission-hall that night. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +SUNSHINE AND SHADE. + + +Clarice and Owen generally breakfasted together very early, some time +before Mr. and Mrs. Hadleigh appeared. Clarice had spent an anxious +night, partly on her own account, and partly being troubled about Owen, +as Norris continued to speak against him whenever he could; so that she +was quite startled to see her cousin come into the room with a calm, +sunny face. + +"What is the matter!" she exclaimed; "has father found out it was not +you?" + +"No; I wish he had." + +"Then what makes you look so happy?" + +"Clarice, I do believe the Lord Jesus has saved me, and made me His +child." + +They were simple words, but they told of a great change, and Clarice +burst into tears. + +"Why do you cry?" asked Owen, presently. + +"Because I want the same; I see it has made you 'rich,' Owen." + +"You can have it too, if you will. Only you must go to the Lord Jesus +for it, as I did." + +The rest of the breakfast passed almost in silence. Clarice could not +speak, and it was not easy for Owen to tell of his new-found joy. They +went down together to the shop, and the morning's work began. The boy's +bright face was not unnoticed, though no one else asked him the reason +of it. + +A fortnight passed away, and Owen seemed no nearer being cleared. Norris +was as disagreeable as ever, doing all he could to get the boy into +trouble; but his unfailing truthfulness and integrity saved him from +falling into the traps laid for him, and this angered Norris still more. +Mrs. Hadleigh, too, continued as distant as ever, and was much annoyed +to see the change in Clarice, which she attributed solely to her +cousin's influence. + +"I can't think what has taken the girl," she said to her husband one +day; "your nephew has brought his religious notions here, and has turned +her head. Such trouble as I've taken to keep her from all pious people, +too, fearing they would fill her head with fancies. And here she is as +religious as any of them. I might just as well have saved myself the +trouble." + +"Exactly so," said her husband, dryly. + +"I do believe you will go the same way, James." + +"Might do worse." + +"And after all our toil to work up the business!" + +"My dear, the business won't suffer." + +Meanwhile, in the shop below, Norris had sent Owen on an errand to the +stores underneath the ground; he had to go down through a trap door to +the cellar, and not going quick enough to suit the young man, or out of +spite, Norris give him a push, which, loaded as he was, made him lose +his footing and fall heavily through the opening. + +"What a stupid!" exclaimed the man; "he is no more fit for business than +a calf." + +"Norris!" said Clarice, coming hastily out of the counting-house, "I saw +the whole affair. You pushed him down, and my father shall know." + +"You make a mistake, Miss Hadleigh," he said, blandly; "he is the most +useless boy we ever had on the premises." + +One of the porters and Dawson had hastily descended after the boy, who +was lifted up in their arms, groaning heavily. + +Mr. Hadleigh came in at the moment, asking what had happened. Every one +gave a different answer. + +"He is severely injured," he said, as he bent over the boy. "David, run +for Mr. Daly; ask him to come at once. Can you two carry the lad +upstairs?" + +When Mrs. Hadleigh had found out what had happened, she declared he +ought to be sent at once to the hospital. But her husband said the boy +reminded him more of his brother every day, and for that brother's sake +he should be nursed in the house. The doctor's verdict settled +everything; he said the patient must on no account be moved; the +hip-bone was broken, and he must be kept perfectly quiet. + +When the bone was set, and the boy somewhat more comfortable, though in +great pain and weakness, Clarice crept softly into the room, and watched +him for a moment with tears in her eyes. He looked so white and +suffering; and to think it should happen through the carelessness and +unkindness of another! + +Presently Owen opened his eyes. "Is that you, Clarice?" + +"Yes; how are you now?" + +"Isn't it a good thing I was saved in time?" His voice was feeble, +though the tone was glad. + +"Saved in time?" questioned Clarice. + +"Yes, I mean saved before this happened. You see, I could not have +thought about these things while I was in such pain--at least, it would +have made me feel worse. Now the pain is all outside; my heart is happy. +Jesus comes and says to me, 'My peace I give unto you.'" + +Clarice knelt down by the side of the bed, and softly stroked the boy's +hair back from his forehead. He seemed to like the caressing motion, for +he did not move till she said softly, "I know something of that peace, +too, Owen, and it was through your lips the blessing came to me." + +A sunny smile spread over the white face as he said, "It was worth all +the pain to know that, Clarice. God has found us both now." + +"Yes, I had been trying to help father to make his fortune; and you had +come to Barmston wishing to make your fortune; but God has given us His +riches." + +"Would you mind reading to me a little? My head is so bad; I think it +would comfort me, and give me something to think of while I am alone in +the night." + +Clarice was much touched to find that her young cousin expected no care +or nursing during the night. It showed her how accustomed he was to be +neglected, and put on one side in the house. But she said nothing, only +opened Owen's Bible, and softly read the Psalm that so many, young and +old, have rested their souls on in times of joy and sorrow: "The Lord is +my Shepherd; I shall not want." Quietly and slowly, without any comment, +she read the Psalm through, and then, seeing the boy was exhausted, went +noiselessly out of the room to seek some refreshment for him. + +As soon as the shop was closed Mr. Hadleigh came up himself to visit his +nephew, and assure him that he would take all care of him, and that he +was not to trouble about the accusation, for the more he watched him, +the more he was convinced that he was innocent, though where the goods +had gone to was a great mystery. + +"David shall sit up with you to-night," he said, "and we will see about +a better nurse in the morning." + +Owen was much surprised at his uncle's tender manner, for he had always +been too absorbed in business to speak kindly to any of his family. But +though Owen did not know it, his influence was working unconsciously +upon his uncle, and opening his eyes to see that other things are worth +obtaining besides money. + +The pain was very severe, and Owen felt thoroughly sore all over, for, +beside the broken bone, he was considerably bruised and shaken. Clarice +peeped in again before she went to bed, bringing a little plate of jelly +to moisten his mouth during the night, and to see that everything was +arranged as comfortably as might be. Presently + + [Illustration: "QUIETLY AND SLOWLY ... SHE READ THE PSALM + THROUGH."--_Page 50._] + +David came up, and took a seat by the bedside. He looked gravely at the +drawn, white face, as he asked anxiously, "Is the pain terribly bad?" + +"Bad enough," said Owen, faintly. + +"What a coward that Norris is!" said the boy, indignantly; "the master +ought to turn him away." + +"Does uncle know he did it?" + +"I don't know. I saw Norris talking away to him in the soft, sweet +manner he has; and no doubt he made out it was no fault of his. I should +like to tell Mr. Hadleigh himself." + +"You must not do that." + +"Why not?" + +"Because we must not carry accusations of one another about." + +"But it is true that he did knock you down." + +"Yes; and if uncle asked you to tell him, you might do so; but I am sure +you ought not to offer to tell him." + +"That's rather queer, isn't it? Mr. Hadleigh was not there, and he may +think it was your fault after all." + +"God was there. He saw it all, and He knows everything--even why Norris +is so against me; and He will make it right." + +But Owen could not go on talking; the pain was so severe, he could only +just bear it by keeping perfectly quiet. An hour or two passed away +slowly, when Owen was surprised to hear his uncle's voice at the door, +calling softly, "David!" + +The boy rose. "Yes, sir," he replied. + +"Is Owen asleep?" + +"No, sir, he can't sleep, the pain is so bad." + +"Well, come with me a minute, and then you shall return to him." + +The door was gently closed, and Owen heard no more, except a whispered +consultation outside. Then he was left alone for some time. + +A strange thing had happened. In the bustle and confusion of Owen's +accident Mr. Hadleigh had been somewhat upset, and just as he was +getting into bed he remembered that he had left his cash-box in the +counting-house. Such a thing had never occurred before in all his +business life, and he was a good deal dismayed when he thought of it. +Throwing on a dressing-gown, and stepping softly for fear of disturbing +Owen, he went downstairs. He carried no candle, for he knew just where +he had left the box, and he feared a light might set fire to something. +He had just reached the glass door leading into the shop, and was about +to put his hand out to open it, when he observed a faint light in one +corner, and a figure moving. For a moment he seemed paralysed, but +gathering his wits together, he carefully watched for a moment or two, +when he saw the muffled figure of a man reaching down canisters and +boxes, carefully and gently, and abstracting part of their contents. Not +much out of each, evidently, for the parcels he made up were small; but +the basket on the floor held a good many of them. The man's face he +could not see, nor could he at all make out the figure. + +After watching him for a moment, he crept upstairs, and calling David +out of Owen's room, sent him off by a back-door to the neighbouring +police-station, while he again mounted guard at the glass door. It +seemed a long time to Mr. Hadleigh as he stood watching the thief +walking softly about the shop, helping himself here and there to tea, +sugar, cloves and spices, dried fruit, and other goods. He felt sure it +was one who knew the premises well, by the way he went about, laying his +hands on exactly what he wanted. Who could it be? It was neither Owen +nor David, that was clear, and Mr. Hadleigh felt quite relieved when +David returned with two policemen, who did not speak a word, but looked +through the glass door, as Mr. Hadleigh silently pointed out the thief +to them. + +As they turned the handle of the door, the slight click caused the thief +to start, and when he saw the policemen he hastily extinguished his +light, and flew across the shop. But the policemen rushed after him; +there was a few moments' struggle in the dark, as the thief tried to +reach a small window at the back, from which he had evidently entered; +but the two powerful men held him down and secured him, while David got +matches, and lighted a lamp. + +"That was a pretty tidy catch," said one of the men; "caught in the very +act of stealing. A pretty long sentence you'll get, my man." + +Mr. Hadleigh drew nearer to look at the man as they were leading him +away, and to his surprise and indignation, saw Norris! + +"Is it possible!" he exclaimed. "What can have been your object?" + +"Let me off this time, Mr. Hadleigh," he whined; "let me off this time. +It will ruin me for life if you put me in prison. Let me go this time." + +"A likely thing!" said the policemen, grimly, as they led him out into +the street. + +When they were gone, Mr. Hadleigh went round the house and shop to see +that all was safe, David following with a light; and when everything was +secure, they went upstairs again. + +"Where have you been?" was Owen's first question. "Do lift up my pillow +a bit; my head is so uncomfortable." + +David did as he was asked; but he looked so excited that Owen inquired +again, "Where have you been?" + +"Mr. Hadleigh wanted me down in the shop." + +"In the night! What time is it?" + +"Two o'clock." + +"What could he want?" + +"We caught a thief stealing the goods out of the shop. I went for two +policemen, and they got hold of him." + +"How dreadful it must be to be a thief; it is worse for him even than +for uncle to lose his things." + +"Yes, I suppose so." + +"I wish he knew I did not take those things of Mr. Davenport's." + +"I think he'll know soon." + +"Do you? Why?" + +"I expect it was the same thief all along, and the truth will come out." + +To David's relief, Owen did not ask any more questions, for Mr. Hadleigh +had warned him not to excite the boy, nor tell him more than was +needful. But David could hardly contain himself, it had been such a +strange episode in the night. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +"POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH." + + +Just as the clock was striking five, to the great relief of both boys, +Clarice softly opened the door. She sent David off at once to the sofa +in the next room, bidding him get an hour's sleep as soon as he could. +Then making up the fire, she speedily and skilfully made a refreshing +cup of chocolate, and brought it to Owen's bedside. He looked white and +wan, as he whispered softly, "There is 'no sorrow' with it, cousin +Clarice, though the pain is so bad." + +"Poor boy," she whispered, softly stroking his head, "I wish I could +bear it for you. But Jesus knows, and He will help you through all." + +"Oh, He does; He comforts me so. When I was all alone, He gave me such +happy thoughts of going soon to be with Him and father." + +"I hope you will not go yet awhile, Owen. But how were you alone in the +night? I thought David was with you." + +"He was, most of the time. But uncle called him down to help about some +thief." + +"Some thief!" + +"Yes, David said so." + +Clarice thought the boy's mind was wandering, and asked no more +questions, only talked on soothingly for awhile, and then read the +"keeping" Psalm to him, "The Lord is thy keeper, ... the Lord shall +preserve thee from all evil," till Owen seemed quite comforted by the +blessed words, both in mind and body, and laid so still, that his cousin +hoped he might get a short sleep. + +When at last she went into the breakfast-room, she found both her father +and mother there before her, considerably excited and annoyed with the +affair of the previous night. She was told the whole story, and said she +was not much surprised, for she had never thought Norris was +trustworthy. + +"I know you never liked him," said her father; "but I thought it was +only a girl's fancy. How is Owen this morning?" + +"In great pain. This accident might never have happened but for Norris. +I saw him push Owen just as he was stepping down; and having his arms +full, he could not save himself." + +Mr. Hadleigh went in to see the boy, before he went round to the +police-court, and stayed some little time with him. + +Owen asked to be sent back to Westbrook; he was sure some there would +care for him for his father's sake; and he had not forgotten his uncle's +words in the train, that if anyone could not work they had no right to +live. + +"It is impossible you should be moved, at any rate for some weeks," he +said. "Why do you want to go?" + +"Because I cannot earn anything, and shall not be able to do so for a +long time, I fear," was the sorrowful reply. + +"Never mind, Owen, these few months you have been here have shown me +that money is not everything. Honesty, uprightness, and faithful service +are more than money, and I will show you I value them by spending money +on you. Don't you trouble; you will earn plenty when you are about +again." + +"Thank you," said the boy, greatly comforted, "I will get well as soon +as I can, sir." + +But the days passed slowly to the active lad, as he lay in weariness and +pain, wondering if he should ever be able to walk again. He had intended +to work hard and get on, and earn money, and do so much good in the +world. Yet here he was laid on his back, unable to do anything, hardly +knowing whether he should ever be more than a cripple. It was a trial to +the young Christian, just as he started on the heavenly road. But he was +very patient, and bore his pain manfully, while gratefully thanking any +one who showed him any kindness. + +His uncle continually came and sat down by him for half-an-hour at a +time, and thus Owen often had sweet opportunities of witnessing for his +Saviour, and telling his uncle of his peace and joy. + +One day Mr. Hadleigh came in with a somewhat troubled face. + +"Owen," he said, "how can I make up to you for wrongly accusing you?" + +"Have you found out that I never took those things of Mr. Davenport's?" +he asked, eagerly. + +"Yes, I have just returned from Norris's trial, and it all came out. It +seems that he and his sister kept a small grocer's shop in a low part of +the town, and that for a long time he has partly stocked it through +goods taken from me, by little and little, as he was able to do it. He +confessed at last, when the evidence became too strong, and owned that +he carried off Mr. Davenport's parcel to his own home. He is now in +prison for two years." + +"Isn't it sad for him?" + +"It serves him right, for such wicked and underhand dealings." + +"Yes, isn't it strange that people forget that they will be sure to be +found out one day? Father always used to say that it paid best to be +honest and upright in every way, even if it were not a question of +right. Dishonest people must always live in fear of being found out. +Father said we must always live _open_ lives, and then everything would +be right." + +"Your father was a good man, Owen. I can't think how I came to suspect +you. Only get well, and I will do all I can for you." + +"Thank you, uncle; I am very glad you know I did not do it," replied the +boy, as if he could not forget how heavy a weight had been lifted off +him. + +"It troubled you?" asked Mr. Hadleigh, kindly. + +"Yes, sir, very much. Only I knew that God knew all about it, and I +hoped He would right me one day." + +"Does it comfort you to think that God knows all about you?" + +"Yes, indeed it does; specially since He has made me His child. I like +to think He knows just where I am, and what I am doing, and that He +cares for me all the day long. He makes me so happy." + +Mr. Hadleigh was silent; it was an experience he knew nothing of; yet as +he looked at the thin, white face, smiling so peacefully, he felt it was +possible so to live. And from that day forward he was very kind and +tender to Owen, often encouraging him to talk, though saying little in +reply himself. + +Mr. Netherclift had sent many kind messages to Owen; he greatly +regretted not being able to walk, as he should have liked to call on his +young friend. But that not being possible, he sent kind words by David, +and once he managed to write a few lines, to Owen's great joy, for it +was a very rare thing for him to receive a letter. + +At last he was able to get up once more, and in a few days longer could +manage to go into the next room by the aid of a crutch on one side, and +Clarice's strong arm on the other. It was a great delight to be able to +move even so far, though the exertion made him feel somewhat faint at +first. He had been there only a short time, when Clarice, who had been +downstairs, came into the room with a smiling face. + +"Could you bear to see a visitor, Owen?" she asked. "Do you feel strong +enough?" + +"A visitor! for me? Who is it?" + + [Illustration: CLARICE HELPING OWEN.--_Page 60._] + +"An old friend of yours," she replied, returning in a few minutes with +an elderly gentleman, in whom Owen joyfully recognised his kind friend +the Vicar of Westbrook. + +"Oh, Mr. Sturt, sir, is it really you? I can't get up, sir, but I am +glad to see you." + +"Don't move, my boy. I have just heard of your accident from your +uncle," he said, taking a chair which Clarice offered him, close to +Owen. "I was passing through Barmston, and thought I should like to see +you. You look very altered and weak," he said, kindly; "are you in much +pain?" + +"No, it is not so bad now, sir; I hardly knew how to bear it at first. +But the Lord Jesus was with me all the time, and He helped me, sir." + +"I am glad to hear you say that, Owen; it is a blessed thing to know +that the Saviour is with His children at all times, under all +circumstances, and we are very happy when we realise His presence." + +"Yes, sir, I have had 'no sorrow' with it, though the suffering has been +so great." + +"You are changed, Owen; I think few at Westbrook would recognise you if +they saw you now." + +"No, sir, I daresay not. Will you tell me something about them all, +please? It seems so long since I was there." + +"No doubt it does, though to us things seem going on much as usual, +except that we greatly miss your father, and his quiet influence for +good. I have still got your things, Owen, but they are ready for you +whenever you want them." + +"I am afraid it will be a long time before I can have them, sir. There +is no room to put them here, and I do not know when I shall be able to +earn money enough to buy them back. I shall never win a fortune now, +sir, as I used to wish to. I am afraid I shall always be a cripple." + +"I don't think there is much fear of that. You are young, and the bones +soon knit together again. I have no doubt you will be as strong as ever +by-and-by, though of course it will take time. But as for your fortune, +I thought you had already obtained a large part of it," said Mr. Sturt, +smiling kindly at the pale young face. + +A bright smile flushed all over it, as Owen replied, "So I have, sir, in +one way. I have got the best fortune now, for I belong to the Saviour, +and I know He will give me just what I need. Only I meant I could not +earn any money for a long time." + +"Then occupy this leisure time in seeking more of the heavenly riches, +and though you may be poor yourself, you can make many rich by giving." + +"But I have nothing to give, sir, nothing at all." + +"Can you not give grateful thanks and love to those around you, who so +kindly look after you? And can you not give your voice and heart in +prayer for those who yet know nothing of the riches of the Saviour's +grace?" + +"Yes," said the boy, slowly, "I can do that. And I have prayed, sir, +often for uncle and Clarice." + +"And God hears and answers. Your cousin tells me that it is mainly +through you she has sought and found the Saviour; and your uncle is also +seeking the same blessing. God is honouring you, Owen. Oh, keep always +low down at His feet, and give Him all the glory. You came here wishing +to gain riches, and God is giving you your desire, not in earthly coin, +but in precious souls saved for all eternity. 'There is that maketh +himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet +hath great riches.' God give you grace to choose the lowly and the +better way at all times through life." + +Mr. Sturt could not stay longer; he was only in Barmston for a short +time; when Owen was strengthened and comforted by seeing his kind friend +once more, and by his helpful words. + +A few more weeks passed by, and Owen was able to accept a kind +invitation from Farmer Netherclift to go and spend a month at Westbrook. +The fresh country air, and the freedom, worked wonders for him, though +his leg was still too stiff to enable him to go on the old rambling +excursions that he and his friend Sam loved so much. + +But they made the best use of their time together, and merry Sam learnt +something of a joy he had hitherto thought little of. Owen visited all +his old friends, greatly profited by Mr. Sturt's kind instructions, and +at last returned to Barmston with a happy, thankful heart, resolved to +be as industrious and active as possible, while yet keeping the heavenly +riches foremost before his eyes; while diligent in business, to be +fervent in spirit, in all things serving the Lord. + + +S. W. PARTRIDGE AND CO., 9 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + + Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_. + + Punctuation errors have been corrected without note. + + Inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from + the original except: + + Page 34: "Bramston" changed to "Barmston" + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Owen's Fortune, by Mrs. F. 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