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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/76282-0.txt b/76282-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d7d547 --- /dev/null +++ b/76282-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2791 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76282 *** + +Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. + + +[Illustration: "BE QUIET! OR I'LL BEAT YE INTO A JELLY!"] + + + + REUBEN ROY'S + + TEMPTATIONS + + + BY + + EGLANTON THORNE + + _Author of "The Fishermen's Hero," "Nathan Quilter's Fall," etc._ + + + + London + THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY + 56 PATERNOSTER ROW; 65 ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD; + AND 164 PICCADILLY. + + + + BUTLER & TANNER + THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS + FROME, AND LONDON. + + + + CONTENTS. + + ———— + +CHAP. + + I. REUBEN WINS RENOWN + + II. PARTINGS + + III. THE WAYS OF TOWN + + IV. AN ENEMY + + V. REUBEN SEES MORE OF OWEN GRANT + + VI. REUBEN HAS THRILLING EXPERIENCES + + VII. REUBEN'S STORY IS DISCREDITED + + VIII. A TIME OF TRIAL + + IX. THE CLOUD IS LIFTED + + X. A SON THAT CAUSETH SHAME + + XI. A CHANGE FOR KATE + + XII. A RETURN + + + + [Illustration] + + REUBEN ROY'S TEMPTATIONS. + + [Illustration] + + CHAPTER I. + +REUBEN WINS RENOWN. + +THE dwelling which Reuben Roy called his home was neither picturesque +nor commodious. It was a small whitewashed cottage, boasting but four +rooms, which always seemed full of children and of clothes, in a wet or +dry condition as the case might be, for Reuben's mother was a laundress +and worked very hard to help her husband maintain their numerous family. + +There was a piece of garden ground in front, but it was very untidy, +for no one had time to give it any attention, save the little ones and +they were not good gardeners. Yet flowers flourished there somehow in a +way of their own, though, as often as not, they were smothered beneath +pieces of wet linen laid out to bleach in the sun. + +There were few leisure moments in Reuben Roy's life. When he was not +working with his father in the fields, his mother kept him busy, +carrying baskets of linen to and fro, turning the mangle for her, or +perhaps helping with the little ones. + +And Reuben was a handy lad, although some persons thought him dull and +slow. If you had asked his mother about Reuben, she would have said, +"Eh, he's a good lad, is Reuben. Not so sharp with his tongue, nor so +quick at his books as his younger brother Robert, but a right good lad +for all that." + +Great quantities of strawberries were grown about Ashworth, and in the +spring and summer Reuben and his father were employed in the strawberry +fields. As the season advanced and the fruit ripened, there was plenty +to be done. Not only had the fruit to be guarded from birds and +insects, but watch had to be kept by night lest it should be carried +off by marauders of a larger growth. + +Reuben was not often out at night, but it happened once that hands were +slack, and the fruit-grower asked Reuben to watch during the night in a +small field, where some of the choicest of the fruit was just ready to +be gathered. + +Reuben did not look forward to his task as he took up his position in +the field when the gloom of night was beginning to gather over it. +His father was watching, too, in one of the fields, but too far off +to cause Reuben any sense of companionship. His mother had given him +a good warm plaid to wrap himself in, and there was a hole under the +hedge into which he could creep for shelter. But Reuben preferred to +keep moving about, and he walked up and down till he heard the church +clock strike the hour of midnight. + +He was just thinking that he would lie down for a bit, when he became +aware of subdued voices behind the hedge. Reuben turned cold and +trembled. He had a horrible foreboding of what awaited him, and did +not at all like the prospect of being attacked, perhaps murdered, by +desperate men. Then instantly there arose in his mind a recollection +of the words he had recently heard at Sunday-school. Mr. Howe, the +superintendent, was leaving the village, and in his farewell address +to the scholars, he had reminded them of the need of true courage and +prayerfulness in facing the difficulties and temptations of life. +And with the remembrance of the words, Reuben called to mind his own +resolve that he would be a man and not a coward. + +Ere another thought could cross his mind, three men mounted the hedge. +One leaped down close to where Reuben stood, and advanced to him. + +"Look here, Reuben Roy," he said, "I know you, whether or not you +knows me, and I'd have you understand that we'll do you no harm if +you leave us alone. We're only going to help ourselves to a gallon +or two of these strawberries, just enough to pay for our breakfast +to-morrow, that's all. Your master 'll never miss them, and you'll have +the satisfaction of knowin' that you've done a good turn to some poor +fellows that are down on their luck. What's that you're arter? Keep +quiet, I tell you, or it'll be the worse for you." + +But Reuben had already drawn from his pocket the whistle with which his +father had provided him, and he blew a shrill whistle ere it was struck +from his hand, and he sent rolling to the earth. He tried to rise, but +his assailant was upon him. + +"Be quiet," he muttered, "or I'll beat ye into a jelly." + +But Reuben struggled powerfully and shouted for help, in spite of his +enemy's endeavours to choke him into silence. It was well for the lad +that the other men took fright and dragged their comrade away. + +"It's no good fighting now," they said; "let's get away whilst we can. +Do you see that light yonder? The alarm has been taken. Come, there's +no time to lose." + +And they hurried away. + +Reuben's father and the other men came up a little later, and found +Reuben exhausted and shaken, but not seriously hurt. The thieves made +good their escape. Reuben could not identify them. He believed the man +who had attacked him to be a low, villainous tramp, who of late had +been hanging about the village, but he could not be sure. The thieves +had certainly shown little skill in their evil calling. + +The incident of that night made Reuben somewhat of a hero in the eyes +of the villagers. The owner of the fruit was pleased with him, and +praised his courage. Exaggerated reports of his prowess spread through +the village. It was said that he had knocked down the first robber who +approached him, and the others, affrighted, had instantly fled. Reuben +smiled when he heard these tales. + +"Far from knocking any one down, I got knocked down myself," he said. +"All I did was to whistle for father. It was not likely I should see +those rogues take Mr. Brown's fruit and hold my tongue. I was bound to +raise an alarm." + +"You got knocked about for it, though." + +"Well, yes; I got a few blows, but what of that? The fellow did not +kill me, though I thought he meant to." + +Reuben's midnight adventure was, however, destined to exert a +considerable influence on his fortunes. It drew to him the attention of +a gentleman who had taken a house at Ashworth for the summer. + +This gentleman was the chief partner of a firm of metal-workers in +Birmingham. He became interested in the lad, and would sometimes stop +to speak to him when they met in the roads. He thought he discerned +good intelligence and certain sturdy sterling qualities beneath the +lad's quiet, somewhat uninteresting exterior. He questioned him +concerning his occupation, and found that it was not entirely to +Reuben's mind. + +He could have desired something better than to be a field labourer +all his days, but he saw no other prospect before him. He was greatly +surprised when the gentleman offered him a place in his factory—a +humble place, it is true, but with a higher wage than he was earning at +Ashworth. + +"Of course it means leaving home," Mr. Akenside said; "you'll have to +get a lodging near the works. Your parents won't like your going away, +perhaps." + +"Maybe not, sir. I don't know as my mother could spare me," Reuben +replied, "but I'll see. I'd like it well enough myself." + +Indeed, the thought of going to Birmingham thrilled him with a novel +excitement. Though Ashworth was but about twenty miles from Birmingham, +and Reuben was a lad of eighteen, he had never but once been to the +great city. He had not forgotten the day he spent there and his +wondering vision of the bustling streets, the great houses, the eager, +busy people everywhere. The idea of town life had its fascination for +him, as it had for Owen Grant, one of Reuben's fellow-scholars, who had +just left home to fill a situation in the great manufacturing centre. + +He had laughingly advised Reuben to follow him, and "see life a bit." + +Reuben was half-frightened, half-pleased at this chance of entering +upon such a life. + +"Well, talk it over with your parents," said Mr. Akenside, "and let me +know in a day or two what you decide." + +So Reuben hastened home, eager to tell his news. It created no little +excitement in the family circle. The matter was not one to be decided +in a moment. Reuben's parents discussed it gravely. His father saw +no reason why the lad should wish to change his lot. He was doing +well enough under Mr. Brown. Let him stay where he was, and let well +alone. By the accounts one heard, people did not always improve their +condition by moving off to town. + +But Reuben's mother judged differently. She was a shrewd, sensible +woman, and she loved her son with a wise, unselfish love. It seemed to +her that this was a chance for Reuben which it would be wrong to throw +away. + +"You see," she said to her husband, "it's not like going to town with +the mere hope of finding work. Here's a good master ready to engage +Reuben, and I doubt not, if the lad does well, he will rise in his +service. And then maybe he'll be able to help on his brothers and +sisters. He's our eldest, and we must do the best we can for him." + +"Ay, but what will you do without him, wife? You'll be sore set without +Reuben." + +"I shall miss the lad, no doubt, for he's a good lad, is Reuben. But +Robert is growing up now, and ought to be able to do as much for me. +It's for Reuben himself to decide, after all. But if he wants to go, +we'll not say him nay." + +Reuben was surprised, almost startled, at this ready consent; he +had not expected the way to be made so easy. But he was glad on the +whole, for of late he had begun to feel dissatisfied with his life at +Ashworth. He had little thought that he would so soon be able to take +Owen Grant's advice, and follow him to Birmingham. + +As he heard the lamentations of his young brothers and sisters, and the +regrets of the neighbours, and saw how much, though she made little ado +about it, his mother felt his going, it was with mingled feelings that +Reuben prepared for his departure. But he had scant time to think about +it, for Mr. Akenside wanted him immediately. Only two days after the +decision was made, Reuben started for Birmingham. + + +Owen Grant's home was a very different one to that of Reuben Roy. +A pleasant, old-fashioned garden, full of sweet-smelling flowers, +surrounded the house, which was very old, with a grey thatched roof, +darkened by moss, and latticed windows. Such a picturesque rural +dwelling, of genuine antiquity, is becoming rare in the England of +to-day. + +Owen's father had lived there all his days, and "his" father before +him. The house, with the garden ground about it, and the bit of meadow +beyond, was his own. Former generations of Grants had owned much land +at Ashworth; but the fortunes of the family had dwindled, and now all +that remained of their property was this small homestead. + +Small as it was, however, David Grant was proud of his home. He +would show to visitors with pride the old black-lettered Bible, the +fly-leaves of which recorded the births, marriages, and deaths of so +many departed Grants, and proved that the cottage had been the dwelling +of worthies of that name for more than three hundred years. His wife +would open a drawer of the old linen press and show a morsel of fine +linen, almost as old as the house, spun by the skilful fingers of some +good housewife of the race. + +The interior of the house showed many a mark of age, but it was +carefully kept. The oak flooring was skilfully repaired where it began +to fall in, the whitewash frequently renewed upon the walls, and the +thatch well mended. David would have done more to the place if he +could, but his means were very limited. + +He had great hopes, however, for the future. He believed that his +son—the clever, bright lad who was his only child and the joy and pride +of his life—would be sure to do well in the world, and preserve the old +place from ruin. + +It was rather disappointing that Owen showed so little interest or +pride in the old home. He would laughingly call it an old tumbledown +barn, and say that he would far rather live in one of the new +red-bricked houses that were being built at Ashworth. But this, and +other utterances of his which hurt his parents, they excused as the +outcome of the thoughtlessness of youth. When he was older, Owen would +be wiser, and would be sure to think as they did. + +Owen's father and mother had married late in life, after a faithful +courtship of more than twelve years and when David was already far +advanced in age. Their union had been a happy one, and the child that +crowned it was peculiarly dear to them. It was little to be wondered +at that they were more blind than most parents to the faults of their +darling, more prone to believe that no other could be compared with him. + +David Grant was a hale man yet, able to work in garden and field, +though his form, which had been unusually strong, was growing bent, and +his hair was white as snow. His wife was a cheery little woman, not +over strong, but with so much natural energy, that no one would have +suspected her of failing health. + +[Illustration] + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER II. + +PARTINGS. + +ON the Sunday previous to Owen's departure for Birmingham, his mother's +face was paler than usual, and her voice less blithe. It was a sore +trial to her that on the morrow she must part with her darling son—must +send him, young and untried, to face alone the perils of a great city. + +Her husband had accused her of "fretting about Owen," and she had +denied the charge. But, for all that, he knew her heart was full of +sorrow and anxiety. + +"Here he is," she said quickly, as Owen's foot was heard on the field +path, and they moved to the gate to welcome him. + +"Well, lad!" said his father. "And how did the prize-giving go off? Who +had the prizes?" + +"I came in for one," said Owen, his face bright with satisfaction as he +placed the Bible he had gained in his father's hands. "I know you will +be pleased, father. It's the prize for Scripture knowledge." + +"Eh, that's good!" said David, with a beaming glance. "Your mother was +right, after all. She would have it that you'd bring home a prize." + +And then the parents looked at each other with eyes that said plainly, +"Was there ever such a lad as ours?" + +"I am glad they gave you a Bible," said his mother; "it will be such a +nice one to take away with you. Such a beautiful cover it has!" + +"Ay, it's well bound," said his father, "but I doubt it 'll not last +so long as that old Bible of ours indoors. They don't make such books +nowadays." + +"I don't want it to last for ever," said Owen carelessly. "I'll have +another when I am married—a big family Bible." + +"You'll have our own family Bible," said his father, almost +reproachfully. "You will never want another while that lasts. Now come +inside. I am going to write in the old Bible how you won this prize +at Ashworth Sunday-school on the last Sunday you spent at home before +going to town to learn business." + +Owen made a comical grimace behind his father's back. He thought +his father rather crazed about the old Bible, but he followed him +into their common living-room, a long low apartment, with heavy +beams overhead, and a broad latticed window with a deep cushioned +seat beneath it. Owen fetched pen and ink and stood dutifully by his +father's side, ready to assist in any spelling difficulties. Whilst the +old man, slowly and laboriously, for he was no ready writer, entered in +the old volume the fact he desired to record. + +"You'll have to enter my name here some day, my lad," he said, when he +had finished, "mine and your mother's too; but she'll outlive me many +years, belike." + +"I hope not, David," she said softly. + +"Eh, why not?" returned her husband. "You'll have your son to lean upon +then." + +"I wish you would not talk that way, father," said Owen uneasily; "just +as I am going away, too! I am sure I hope it will be long enough ere +any more entries are made in this book." He closed it as he spoke, and +carried it back to its place on the side-table. + +"Read us a chapter from your own Bible, lad," said his mother from the +chimney corner; "the kettle won't boil for another ten minutes." + +"Very well," said Owen carelessly. + +"What shall I read?" + +His father named Psalm 103. Owen was a good reader, and he read the +grand old words in a clear, expressive manner. + +"'Like as a father pitieth his children,'" repeated the old man slowly +when he had ended. "My son, you'll not forget your father's God when +you're away in that great city?" + +"All right, father," replied Owen hastily. + +And no more was said. + + +At an early hour the next morning Owen left his parents' roof. The +station was more than a mile distant, and they did not accompany him +thither. Various home duties claimed their attention, and they were +people who set duty before everything else. + +Owen shouldered the trunk in which his mother had packed his best suit, +the garments she had made, and the socks she had knitted for him, +not forgetting to find a place for his new Bible, and marched off in +brave spirits. But his voice had quavered a little as he bade the "old +people" good-bye. + +After all, there was pain in severing himself from those who loved him +so dearly. + +As for his mother, she broke down, and sobbed when he had gone. "Oh, I +wish we had not let him go," she cried. "Why could we not keep him with +us?—Our only child." + +"Nay, nay, that would not do," said her husband; "we could not keep a +lad of his talents working in the fields here. It would not be right." + +"I suppose not," she said, with a sigh. And for the moment, she was +tempted to wish that her son was less clever, that he had been a slow, +quiet lad like Reuben Roy, so that she might have kept him by her side. + +"It's the best thing possible for the lad," said David Grant, speaking +perhaps as much to convince himself as his wife, "to get a post in that +great business house. It's but the lowest rung of the ladder, to be +sure. But he'll rise, for he's a smart lad. You'll be mighty proud of +him, I daresay, in a few years' time." + +"But he's young," said his mother anxiously, "and there are so many +temptations in a great city. If he should go wrong, David?" + +"He'll not go wrong," said his father confidently; "our lad will not go +wrong. Don't you go worrying yourself without cause." + +"I'll not," she said, brightening up; "as you say, our lad is not like +other lads. We can trust him; he'll keep right." + +Ah, poor, fond, trustful parents! And yet blessed is every heart that +cherishes the love that "believeth all things, hopeth all things," for +such love tends towards the realisation of its own prophecies. + +Owen Grant found quite a party of friends at the station, for Mr. Howe +and his family were leaving by this train, and many persons had come to +see them off. Reuben Roy had been sent with a parcel to the station, +and he waited to see the last of his old superintendent, though he was +too shy to go forward and bid him "good-bye" again. + +"Hallo, Reu, you here! Have you come to see me off, old chap?" cried +Owen. + +"Why, no," said Reuben candidly. "I brought up a parcel for Mr. Brown, +and I was waiting to see Mr. Howe start. I forgot you were going by +this train." + +Owen looked surprised. "I told you yesterday," he observed. "I say, +Reu," he exclaimed the next moment as he examined the money in his +hand, "that stupid fellow in the booking office has given me too much +change. The fare was one-and-nine; I gave him half a crown, and he has +given me back a shilling. What an idiot!" + +"Oh, it was a mistake, of course," said Reuben; "you know he is new to +the place, and has not got used to his work. You'll have time to run +and set it right,—the train's not up yet." + +"Bless you! I shall not trouble myself about it," said Owen, coolly +putting the money in his pocket; "if he likes to make me a present of +threepence, he is welcome to do so." + +"But, Owen, you know he did not mean to give it to you, and he will +have to make it good out of his own pocket. You can't mean to take +advantage of his mistake?" + +"I do mean it. He should keep a sharper look out. It will be a lesson +for him." + +"And you will do a dishonest thing. It's worse for you, after all." + +"What do you mean? I did not steal the money." + +"No, but if you keep it, when you know it is not yours, it is pretty +much the same thing, I think," replied Reuben. + +At that moment Mr. Howe caught sight of the boys, and came down the +platform to speak to them. + +"So you're leaving by this train, Owen," he said, as he shook hands +with him, "and Reuben has come to see you off. That's right. But I must +not stay. Good-bye to you both." + +And he hurried away as the train came up. + +Owen, too, moved off quickly to secure a seat. He leaned out of the +carriage window to advise Reuben to make haste and follow him to town +that he might get "smartened up a bit." + +Then the train moved on, and as it passed out of the station, Reuben +caught one last glimpse of Mr. Howe. + +He went off to his day's work feeling heavy-hearted. He had lost +a friend in Mr. Howe. He was sure there could never be another +superintendent so good. And Owen, too, he would miss, but he was not +altogether sorry that he had gone away. It was a slight shock to Reuben +to discover how lax were Owen's notions of honesty. And only yesterday +he had appeared as one of the best scholars in the Sunday-school! What +would Mr. Howe think if he knew how Owen had kept the threepence, +Reuben wondered. + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER III. + +THE WAYS OF TOWN. + +ABOUT a fortnight after Owen's departure, Reuben followed him to +Birmingham. + +The smoky atmosphere, the dingy, dusty streets were a poor exchange in +the warm summer days for the fresh air and rural beauty of Ashworth. +For a little while the bustle and stir of the town had the charm of +novelty for Reuben. But the excitement of the change was soon over, and +in the midst of crowds of workers of all descriptions Reuben's heart +sickened with a dreary sense of loneliness. He would scan the faces +of those he passed as he went along the streets, but every one was a +stranger to him, and there was no friendliness in the glances he met. + +There were hundreds of hands employed in the great human hive in +which Reuben worked, but for some time he did not enter into friendly +relations with any of them. Reuben was a shy, countrified lad, blunt +of speech, and awkward in his bearing, and such notice as he received +was not of a flattering nature. The sharper town lads found much to +ridicule in him, and amused themselves at his expense by playing +off on him various practical jokes, some of which were positively +cruel. Reuben bore them with a stolid patience that appeared like +indifference, but in truth, he felt them keenly, and they increased the +sore home-sickness, which was becoming almost more than he could bear. + +His work, too, was a disappointment to him. At present he was learning +nothing, but was merely employed as a messenger to carry orders to +the various workshops, and be at the beck and call of every one in +authority. It was no easy post, however. The hours, from eight in the +morning till eight at night, seemed to him very long, and he often felt +far more weary when his day's work was done than he had ever felt after +a day spent in the fields. + +But Reuben held on bravely in spite of every discouragement, for a +brave heart had Reuben Roy, and he was no stupid, though he might seem +slow. It is what we think and feel in the secret chamber of our souls +that determines what our lives are. Right thinking leads to right +doing. Our actions are never really better than our thoughts. They may +have a fair appearance, like the righteousness on which the Pharisees +prided themselves, but it is the motive that gives every action its +value in the sight of God, and sooner or later the insincere act will +reveal itself as such to the eyes of men. + +Now Reuben's thoughts were good and true, and he had that fear of God +which, it has been well said, "expels all other fear." He had not +forgotten the words that had impressed him as he listened to Mr. Howe's +farewell address, nor his resolve that he would be strong and of a good +courage in the battle of life. + +That resolve was being well tested in these days. There were times when +he felt as if he must throw up his new employment, and go back to the +old life at Ashworth, which now seemed so dear. + +He was feeling thus one warm August evening, when he had come away from +his work too tired even to take a stroll through the streets. The room +he hired, and for which he had to pay a considerable proportion of +his weekly wage, was a very small one at the top of a house in which +several of the factory hands lodged. From its tiny window nothing was +to be seen but an expanse of roofs and chimney-pots. + +How weary Reuben felt of the dull outlook—the smoke and griminess +visible everywhere! The day had been a hard one with him. The lads at +the factory had been most provoking; they had contrived to get him +blamed for what was in no way his fault. He had borne the undeserved +rebuke without a word—he would not be so mean as to tell of the others. +But his spirit smarted under a sense of injury and injustice. + +And now he felt that the difficulties of position were more than could +be borne. He longed to return to Ashworth. + +Why should he not? It would be throwing away his chance; it would +disappoint his mother's hopes; but would she wish him to stay on if she +knew how wretched he was? Surely not! + +Reuben's meditations had reached this point when, rather to his +surprise—for he never had visitors—some one knocked at his door. + +"Come in," he said. + +The door was opened a few inches, and a shock-headed girl looked in to +say,— + +"Reuben Roy, I've brought ye these flowers. You're from the country, so +maybe you'll like them. A lady brought a lot of bunches into our room +this afternoon, and she gave me two, so here's one for you." + +She threw him the bunch, and was gone almost before he could say "Thank +you." + +There were only a few flowers—a rose or two, a "sweet-william," some +pinks, and a bit of "lad's love,"—but how sweet they seemed to Reuben! +How they brought the old untidy piece of garden at home before his +eyes! How they sharpened to almost painful intensity his longing to +return to Ashworth! Never, surely, were flowers more welcome. Reuben's +eyes grew moist as he sniffed their perfume; his breast heaved with a +sob of which he had no cause to feel ashamed. + +The next minute he saw that a small ornamental card was attached to +the bunch. It was one sent out by a flower mission, and on the card, +clearly printed in gold letters, were the words, "There hath no +temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, +who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will +with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to +endure it." ¹ + + ¹ 1 Cor. x. 13 + +Reuben read the words with a thrill of pleasant surprise. Was it sent +to remind him that his difficulties, his trials should not be greater +than he could bear, and that God, the faithful God, would help him to +endure, if he would trust in Him? It seemed so, and with the thought +new courage came to Reuben Roy. Certainly, the little bunch of flowers, +with its encouraging message, opened a way of escape from the gloomy +despondency that had possessed him. + +He began to wonder what had made the girl give him the flowers. He knew +little of her, save that she lodged in the house and worked in the +same factory as he did. She seemed a high-spirited, noisy, mischievous +girl, a favourite with her companions, but one who often had to be +reprimanded by the overseer. + +She must be good-natured, he thought. Had she guessed that he was +feeling lonely and home-sick, and needed something to cheer him? Well, +it was good of her. It made him feel that he had a friend at hand, and +Reuben whistled cheerily as he found a mug and placed his flowers in +water. + + +As yet, Reuben had not seen Owen Grant. In his ignorance of the extent +of the great city, he had imagined that he would be sure to meet Owen +soon after arriving in Birmingham, and he had not thought to ask old +David Grant where Owen might be found. But since Owen was employed in +one of the large shops in New Street, whilst Reuben's work was in a +remote manufacturing district, it was not surprising that they did not +meet. + +One Sunday, however, when Reuben had been many weeks in Birmingham, he +was suddenly brought face to face with Owen Grant in the street. It +was about eleven o'clock in the morning, and Reuben was on his way to +church. + +Owen obviously had no intention of attending public worship. He was +standing, with several youths of his own age, outside a public-house, +before which a large drag drawn by four horses was stationed. Reuben +had to look twice to be sure that it was Owen, for the lad's appearance +had changed considerably during the months which had passed since he +left Ashworth. + +He was dressed in a plaid suit, of rather a conspicuous pattern; he +had a bright red tie adorned by a showy pin, a pipe was between his +lips, and he flourished a smart little cane. He was talking gaily. The +air of importance he had always worn was more marked than formerly. He +evidently considered himself the chief person in the party, and his +companions were willing that he should take the lead. He started as +Reuben eagerly, suddenly halted before him, saying eagerly,— + +"Owen! Is it you?" + +There was some reluctance in his manner, though Reuben did not perceive +it, as he responded to his greeting. + +"I rather think it is. But who would have thought of seeing you, old +fellow?" + +"Did you not know that I had to come to Birmingham?" + +"Well, now you mention it, I believe my mother did say something about +it in one of her letters. It is a good move on your part, old chap. +Don't you find town ever so much jollier than that stupid hole in the +country?" + +"No, I cannot say that I do," replied Reuben slowly. "I think the +country is ever so much nicer than the town. And if you mean that +Ashworth is a stupid hole, I am not of your mind." + +"He's mammy sick, poor boy," said one of Owen's companions, who stood +regarding Reuben with a quizzical air; "he wants to go home to his ma." + +The others all laughed. + +"If you like the country so much, you had better come with us," said +Owen, with rather a patronising air; "we are just off to spend the day +in the country." + +"No, thank you; I cannot do that," said Reuben. + +"Oh, do come, old fellow," returned Owen, "I am sure you will like it. +The fare is only two shillings there and back. And if the money's a +difficulty, I'll stand treat." + +"No, thank you; I cannot come," said Reuben. Then, with an effort, he +added, "I am going to church." + +The statement was received with a burst of laughter, as if it were +a grand joke, by all the party except Owen. He looked annoyed and +uncomfortable. + +"Going to church! Oh, my word! P'raps you'd like to go to church with +him, Grant." + +"Don't be a fool, Reu," said Owen, drawing his friend aside; "these +fellows will only laugh at you if you talk about church. You can go +there any Sunday. But we are not likely to get another day like this in +a hurry. Do come." + +It was only for a moment that Reuben hesitated. He did not like to be +laughed at, nor called a fool; but it suddenly struck him that he would +be a fool indeed if he suffered himself to be drawn aside from doing +what he felt to be right by fear of the contempt of such fellows as +these. + +"Let them laugh," he said; "what do I care? Owen, you know I have +always been accustomed to go to church on Sunday, and so have you. Why +should we do differently now? What would your father and mother feel if +they knew how you were thinking of spending Sunday? Oh, Owen, don't do +it, for their sakes. Come with me. I am sure those fellows are not good +friends for you." + +Owen coloured and was silent. Reuben words were not without their +effect upon him. But a shout from one of the other lads counteracted it. + +"Hullo, there, Grant! It is time we were off. Don't let that saintly +chap carry you off to church." + +The feelings contending within Owen Grant gave place to a burst of +anger. + +"Be so good as to mind your own business, Reuben Roy. It does not +matter to you how I choose to spend Sunday. I am not a child now, tied +to my mother's apron strings. I am a man, and can please myself. It was +all very well to go to church and Sunday-school when I was at Ashworth, +but Ashworth ways won't do in Birmingham." + +"So much the worse for Birmingham," said Reuben, keeping his temper, +"for I think the Ashworth ways are best, Owen." + +With that he walked away, whilst the others clambered up on the drag. +Their ringing laughter followed him, and he caught the words "duffer," +"milk-sop," "sneak," and knew that these choice epithets were being +applied to himself. + +But Reuben did not much mind. Their words could not hurt him. He would +have been truly hurt had he sinned against his conscience by doing +that which he felt to be wrong. But he was sorry about Owen. He called +to mind the aged father and mother, who thought so much of their only +child. The high value they set on him, and the exalted notion their +fond affection had formed of his merits, had become quite a joke—a +perfectly good-humoured one, however—amongst the villagers of Ashworth. +Reuben sighed now at the recollection. How grieved the poor old people +would be if they knew! + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER IV. + +AN ENEMY. + +DAY after day sped by with little to mark its flight in the life of +Reuben Roy. And yet each left its impress, as each day surely does in +the life of every one. The days we count memorable do not necessarily +represent the most momentous hours of our history. Every day adds +something to the character we are building up; every day presents to +us, in some form or other, that choice between good and evil which +determines our true selves. + +There is no pause in the development of character. If our principles +are not daily being strengthened and purified, they are becoming +relaxed, impure, corrupt. Thus we need to pray daily, in the words +taught us by our Lord, that we might not be "led into,"—brought into +the power of—"temptation," but may be "delivered from evil." + +It rarely happened that Reuben saw Mr. Akenside, though that gentleman +was generally at the works. When they did chance to meet, he would +speak kindly to Reuben, and inquire if he had good news from Ashworth. +Reuben was under the control of the foreman of the department in which +he worked, and this man seemed from the first to take a dislike to the +lad, and to endeavour to make things as hard as possible for him. + +Nat Savage, as he was familiarly called by the "hands" when there +was no chance of his hearing them, had worked for the firm for many +years, and was thoroughly respected and trusted by his employers. He +was held in less favour by the workpeople, however. Smooth, sleek, +and subservient in his bearing towards his superiors, he was harsh +and unjust to those beneath him. Reuben found it almost impossible to +please him, and the dread of his coarse, unjust faultfinding added +to the troubles of the lad's lot. One day he sent for Reuben in the +dinner-hour. + +"Look here, my lad," he said, with a more good-natured air than he +often assumed towards him, "I am going to send you on an errand. I want +you to go to Aston for me." + +"Very well, sir," said Reuben. "Must I start at once?" + +"As soon as you have had your dinner. I shall give you a note to carry, +and you must wait and bring me back an answer." + +"That will take some time," said Reuben, "but I suppose I shall not +lose my pay." + +"Certainly not. You tell the timekeeper that you are sent on business +for the firm, and he'll make it all right. But don't say anything about +the business; don't say I sent you, if you should meet one of the +masters, Reuben. If you are asked where you are going, say that you +felt ill, and I said you might go home." + +Reuben flushed hotly. He was silent for a few moments; then he said, "I +can't say that, sir." + +"Can't! What do you mean, you impudent young dog? What do you mean by +saying that you can't do what I tell you?" + +"I mean that I 'won't' do it," said Reuben bluntly. "I am not going to +tell lies to please any man." + +His words enraged the foreman. He broke into a storm of abuse, and +advanced with clenched fist as though he would strike Reuben. But +recollecting himself, he dropped his arm and turned away with a sneer. + +"I suppose you are one of the pious sort. You set up for being better +than any one else. I know the style. But I'd have you understand, we +don't want any psalm-singing hypocrites here. You can go; I can find +some one else to do my errand." + +Reuben went away feeling very unhappy. He had made a brave stand for +the right, but the circumstances were such as could yield him no glad +sense of victory. He had the approval of his conscience, but that +failed to overcome the sense of foreboding that oppressed him. There +could be no doubt that he had made an enemy of Mr. Savage. He had been +harsh enough before, but Reuben foresaw that in future, the foreman's +treatment of him would be marked by a special vindictiveness. + +And so it was. The feeling of Savage towards the lad who had dared +to oppose him now amounted to positive hatred, and he watched for +an opportunity of doing him an injury. He was anxious to get him +ousted from the works. He spoke disparagingly of him to Mr. Akenside, +intimating, with an air of regret, that the lad was so unruly and +impudent that he feared he should never be able to do anything with him. + +Mr. Akenside was surprised and disappointed. What he had seen of Reuben +Roy had given him a very different impression. But he reflected with a +sigh that one may very easily make a mistake in judging of character. + + +Reuben cared less about the harshness of Savage as Christmas +approached, and he could look forward to spending three whole days +at home. Kate, the girl who had given him the flowers, and with whom +ever since he had been on friendly terms, envied him as she marked his +bright look when he spoke of going home. + +"You've got a good mother, I reckon," she said to him one day, "or you +would not be so mighty pleased at going home." + +"Ay, my mother's a right good sort," said Reuben, with a smile. + +"And mine was a bad lot, but she's dead now, so I won't speak agin +her," said Kate quickly. "Maybe if I'd had a good mother, I'd have been +a different sort of girl. But what's the good of talking about it now? +Folks must take me as I am. And if they don't like me, it's all the +same to me." + +With that she began to sing, accompanying her song with a kind of wild +dance. Kate was never serious long. Indeed, this was the first time +Reuben had seen her display any kind of feeling. + + +The train by which Reuben travelled to Ashworth on Christmas Eve +carried Owen Grant home also. Reuben saw Owen at the station before +the train started, and he fancied that Owen saw him, but he walked +away to the bookstall, and stood there with his back towards Reuben, +as though desirous of avoiding him. So Reuben understood the action, +and accordingly, he kept out of Owen's way. But midway to Ashworth, +a change of trains had to be made, and as Reuben alighted at the +junction, he was brought face to face with Owen Grant, and, if either +wished it, there was no chance of avoiding a greeting. + +"Hullo! Reuben, old chap! Are you going down to Ashworth too? That +is good luck," said Owen, with rather effusive friendliness; "I was +wondering if you would be able to get away." + +"Yes; the factory is closed for three days," said Reuben. "How long do +you get, Owen?" + +"The same time. It is not to be expected that they can give longer in +such a business as ours. We have to work, I can tell you; but the pay +is good." + +Owen's smart appearance seemed to confirm this statement. He was +Reuben's companion for the rest of the way, and talked incessantly, +chiefly about himself. It was clear that he held himself in higher +esteem than ever, and the tone he adopted in talking to Reuben, though +friendly, had a touch of condescension. + +The night was wet and cold. But when they reached Ashworth, old David +Grant stood on the platform to welcome his son. + +The old man's voice trembled with emotion; his beaming looks told his +pride and pleasure in the smart young man, who seemed to attract the +notice of everybody. + +No one had come to meet Reuben Roy, nor had he expected to be met. He +quietly shouldered his carpet-bag and marched homewards, attracting few +glances as he went. But the welcome that awaited him when he reached +the cottage—from the loving, weary mother, who had just finished her +day's work and "cleaned up" the place; from the little ones, who had +been allowed to stay up an hour later than usual because their brother +was coming; and from his father when he came back from carrying home +the last basket of linen—that warm, joyous welcome seemed to make +amends for all Reuben had had to endure since he left home. + + +Christmas morning was bright, and both Mr. and Mrs. Grant appeared +at church, accompanied by their beloved son. Reuben saw them in the +churchyard when the service was over. They greeted him very kindly. + +"We are so glad," said Mrs. Grant, "that you and Owen see each other +sometimes in Birmingham. It is so nice for him to have an old friend +near him, for he must often feel lonely when he is away from home." + +Her words were rather discomposing to Reuben. He hardly knew how to +reply to them. + +"We are not near each other," he said abruptly. + +"Mother knows that," put in Owen quickly, as if to prevent his saying +more; "she knows that you live in another part of Birmingham, and it is +impossible for us to meet very often." + +"But you see each other on Sundays," said the old woman gently; "you go +to the same church, Owen tells me." + +Reuben looked up in astonishment. At the same moment he caught a +warning, entreating glance from Owen. A deep blush, which might have +been taken for a blush of guilt, overspread Reuben's countenance. How +could Owen tell such an untruth to his mother? + +Reuben said nothing, and Mrs. Grant took his silence for assent. + +A little farther on their ways separated, and Reuben said "Good-day" to +the Grants. + + +He did not see Owen again till they met at the station when they were +about to return to Birmingham. Their meeting gave Reuben no pleasure, +for he felt disgusted with Owen for the way in which he was deceiving +his parents. Owen's self-satisfaction, however, seemed as complete +as ever. He showed no consciousness of having done anything of which +he should be ashamed. He regarded himself as a sharp, clever fellow, +sure to get on in the world, and held Reuben but a poor creature in +comparison. + +As they approached Birmingham, and were about to part, Owen suddenly +asked Reuben if he could lend him five shillings. + +"The fact is I'm rather hard up," he said, with a magnificent air. +"I've spent too much money on the old people this Christmas. I shall +receive my salary in a day or two, and then I'll pay you. But don't if +it's not convenient." + +It was not quite easy for Reuben to spare five shillings just then. But +he did not like to refuse, so he handed the sum to Owen, who thanked +him, assured him again that it should be returned in a day or two, and +went his way. + +[Illustration] + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER V. + +REUBEN SEES MORE OF OWEN GRANT. + +NOT two days only, but two weeks, passed, and Reuben saw nothing of +Owen Grant. He began to wonder if his loan of five shillings had been +forgotten by Owen. Reuben felt, not unnaturally, that he should like to +see his money again. He did not know where Owen lodged, but he knew the +shop at which he worked, and he resolved that since Owen did not seek +him, he would go in search of Owen. + +Reuben could not get to the draper's shop in which Owen was employed +till near the hour of closing. But late as it was, the shop was full +of customers. The atmosphere was hot with gas. The assistants looked +tired, but very busy. When Reuben asked if he could see Owen Grant, +he was told to stand on one side and wait. Reuben waited patiently, +finding entertainment in watching the scene before him. + +Presently he spied Owen seated before a high desk in the middle of the +shop. He had a large book before him, in which he continually made +entries, at the same time receiving money and giving forth change with +a rapidity which astonished Reuben. Busy though he was, he caught sight +of Reuben, and nodded to him. But something in his look as he did so, +made Reuben fancy that Owen was not over-pleased to see him. + +Gradually the number of customers in the shop lessened, one after +another they went out, most of them carrying parcels. Already the +shutters were being put up, and the wearied assistants, with an air of +relief, began to roll up the materials they had been displaying, and +to carry things back to their places. Still Reuben had to wait many +minutes ere Owen was at liberty to come to him. + +When at last he came, he looked pale and jaded, and the smile with +which he greeted Reuben seemed forced. + +"Come outside, old fellow," he said quickly; "every one is on the move +now, and we cannot talk here." + +"I need not keep you, Owen," said Reuben; "I only came to ask if you +could let me have the five shillings I lent you. Have you forgotten it?" + +Owen lifted his hand with a quick movement, as though to check Reuben's +words; then looked round uneasily as he said, "All right! We'll talk +about that outside; there is no need to acquaint all these fellows with +my private affairs." + +But no one was near enough to them to have heard what Reuben said. +Without another word, he followed Owen into the open air. Then, as they +turned along the street, Owen began to talk away to him so fast that +Reuben had difficulty in getting in a word. + +"What do you think of our shop?" he asked, without waiting for Reuben's +reply. "Smart, isn't it? I can tell you we do a rattling good trade. +I've had to work hard, I know, since I was promoted to be cashier." + +"How long have you been cashier?" Reuben managed to ask. + +"Oh, only since Christmas. The other fellow fell ill; that was how I +got the post. It was a stroke of good luck for me, for of course it +means better pay, though I have to work hard. But I was always quick at +accounts, you know, so the book-keeping comes easy to me. The manager +is pleased with the way I do the work; he told me so last week. But +here's a pub. Let's go in and have a drink. One wants one badly enough +after pegging all day in that close shop." + +"You forget that I am a teetotaler," said Reuben. + +"What, are you still? I should have thought you would have given up +that nonsense when you came to town. I signed the pledge myself, years +ago, at Ashworth, but I am wiser now. As if a man cannot be trusted to +take care of himself! He is a poor creature who cannot tell when he has +had enough and leave off drinking." + +"There are a good many such poor creatures about," remarked Reuben +gravely. "Do your father and mother know, Owen, that you have broken +the pledge?" + +"I should like to know what that is to you," exclaimed Owen, suddenly +getting angry. "You just leave my father and mother alone, Reuben Roy. +It's no business of yours what they know or do not know." + +"You are right," said Reuben, quietly. "My business with you, this +evening, Owen, is to ask you to return the five shillings I lent you." + +"All right!" said Owen, colouring up and beginning to feel in his +pockets. He drew forth a shilling and some coppers, and stood looking +at them, as though wondering they were not more. + +"I'm awfully sorry, Reuben," he said, after a minute, "but I can't pay +you to-night. This is all I have with me. The fact is, that little +affair quite slipped my memory, or you should have been paid before +this. But I'll bring it to you one of these days. You need not trouble +to look me up again." + +"But what day will you bring it?" asked Reuben, thinking it well, if +possible, to prevent the "little affair" from again slipping Owen's +memory; "and will you bring it to me at my lodging, or come to the +works?" + +"Oh, the works will be nearer, but it is only on Saturday that I can +come, for we close early on that day, and so do you. Unfortunately I +have an engagement for next Saturday. But Saturday week I could come. +Would that suit you, Reuben?" + +"Yes; if you won't forget," said Reuben. + +"Oh, I'll not forget. I'll be outside the works at three o'clock +without fail." + +And with that understanding they parted. + + +When the Saturday came, Reuben felt doubtful whether Owen would keep +his appointment. But Owen did arrive, after Reuben had waited for some +minutes at the entrance to the works. + +Owen wore his smartest attire. The pin that adorned his gay necktie +represented a racehorse; he was smoking a cigar, and flourished a cane. +Altogether there was a fast look about the young man. Mr. Akenside +noted it as he passed the two standing at the edge of the pavement. He +turned and took a close survey of Reuben's companion. The result was +unsatisfactory. He was sorry that Reuben should make a friend of such a +lad. He knew nothing of Owen's connection with Ashworth, having never +seen him there. + +With a patronising, half-contemptuous air, Owen handed Reuben the five +shillings. + +"There's your money, Reuben. I hope I have not inconvenienced you by +keeping it so long." + +"No," said Reuben; "I should have spent the money if I had had it. But +not having it, I learned to do without it. So now I can look upon this +as so much saved, and I am not sorry." + +"I tell you what, Reuben," said Owen, in a low, confidential tone, "if +you have any money saved, I can tell you how to double it. The Warwick +races come off next week, and I know the names of the winners. If you +like to back a horse, I'll give you a tip." + +"How can any one know which horse will win before the race comes off?" +asked Reuben. + +"Oh, there are ways of finding out. You may rely on my information," +said Owen. + +But Reuben shook his head and smiled. + +"No, no, thank you," he said. "'A fool and his money are soon parted,' +they say. I'm not such a fool as to throw mine away in bets. Besides, +I think betting is very wrong: I am sure I should not like to take +another fellow's money if I won it. Don't you remember how Mr. Howe +used to warn us against gambling of all kinds? He used to say that +nothing led so surely to dishonesty and crime." + +"That will do, thank you. Pray spare me Mr. Howe's sermon. It is no +good trying to put any gumption into you, Reuben. You are a fool—a +precious fool." + + +Not long after this, Reuben changed his lodging. It was by Mr. +Akenside's arrangement that he did so. Just within the large gates +which guarded the entrance to the works was a small dwelling, occupied +by an old man who acted as gate-keeper by day and had charge of the +premises at night. He had been in the service of the firm for many +years, and they were loth to dismiss him, but he was obviously getting +past his work. His hearing was no longer good, nor his movements alert. +Rather than dismiss him, Mr. Akenside suggested that he should have +a young man to live with him, who could accompany him on his rounds +at night to see that everything was secure, and whose keen young ears +could be trusted to repair the old man's deficiency. + +The gate-keeper had no objection to this plan, and seemed pleased when +Mr. Akenside named Reuben Roy as the youth he thought of placing with +him. + +"He's a good lad is Reuben Roy," he said. "If all the young fellows +would behave themselves as he does, we should not have much to complain +of. I tell him sometimes he has an old head on young shoulders." + +Mr. Akenside heard him with surprise. "I am afraid you are mistaken in +Reuben Roy, Samuel," he said. "I used to have a high opinion of him. +But Savage tells me he is very tiresome, and does not attend to his +work properly. I fancy he has taken up with bad companions; I saw him +myself the other day with a fast young fellow, whose appearance I did +not at all like. To tell you the truth, I hoped that being here with +you would act as a restraint on him, and you might get a good influence +over him, for I know you are a favourite with the young fellows." + +"Well, we live and learn," said the old man musingly. "I should +certainly never have thought Reuben Roy a lad who needed restraint, nor +one likely to be led astray by bad companions." + +His words made an impression on Mr. Akenside. He would fain think well +of Reuben Roy. He began to wonder if Savage had been quite fair towards +Reuben, or whether he had conceived a prejudice against him. + +When, a few days later, Savage ventured to remonstrate with Mr. +Akenside concerning his appointment of Reuben to be old Samuel's +helper, saving that he thought it dangerous to allow such a lad the +range of the factory, he found to his dismay that his words were +without effect; Mr. Akenside was not to be persuaded to give up his +purpose. + +Savage had reasons of his own for desiring that Reuben Roy should not +be stationed at the gatehouse, but he had to reconcile himself to the +disagreeable fact; the will of the master prevailed. + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER VI. + +REUBEN HAS THRILLING EXPERIENCES. + +REUBEN was well pleased with his change of quarters. He liked old +Samuel, and had no doubt that he should get on with him. The gatehouse, +though small, was clean and bright, for Samuel's married daughter +either came herself or sent some one each day to attend to the house +and cook the old man's dinner. Reuben liked his room, which looked into +the yard, and thought it a great improvement on his attic in the noisy, +crowded house, where the lodgers were continually quarrelling. He wrote +his mother a cheerful letter, telling her how much better off he was, +for he knew that the news would gladden her heart. + +Reuben began to feel glad himself once more. Things were altogether +brighter in his life. Mr. Akenside spoke kindly to him whenever they +met, and even Savage, though many a sign showed that in his heart he +liked Reuben no better than before, treated him with less severity. +Reuben hoped that his worst troubles were over. + +Reuben's only regret in leaving his lodging was that he would in +future see less of Kate, who, in her rough way, still showed herself +friendly to him, and whom he was anxious to befriend in any way that +he could. He believed that the girl had better thoughts and feelings +than she would suffer to appear. She was regarded at the factory as an +incorrigibly bad girl, always in mischief, and it was wondered that she +did not get her dismissal, for she was often insolent to Mr. Savage, +and made no secret of the fact that she hated him and loved to give him +trouble. + +But, away from the factory, Reuben sometimes saw Kate under another +aspect. She liked to talk to him, and would often ask questions about +his home life, in which she seemed much interested. Now and then Reuben +would read her bits out of his mother's letters,—hurriedly written +letters they were, and very queerly spelt, but full of a mother's love, +a mother's tender anxiety about her son's welfare. Kate evidently liked +to hear these. But she would sigh when Reuben had finished, and a look +of sadness would flit across the face which was usually aglow with +mischievous mirth. + + +Reuben had not been long at the gatehouse, when one day—it was a day he +never forgot—as he was passing along a passage between the workshops, +he heard proceeding from one of them, shrill, awful cries for help. +He recognised the voices as those of women, and flew to the rescue. +Dashing into the midst of a group of terrified girls, he perceived that +one of them had become entangled by her clothes in the machinery, and +was being drawn to certain death. + +In a moment Reuben had his arms around the girl, and tried desperately +to release her. But unaided, he was powerless to extricate her, and +he too might have been drawn into the power of the swift, relentless +machine, if the cries of the girls had not brought other men to the +spot, who by main force dragged the poor creature out. It was a +horrible sight. Her clothes were in shreds, and her flesh was terribly +torn and mangled. It seemed impossible that she could survive such +injuries; but without delay a stretcher was procured, and she was borne +away to the hospital. + +Not till this was done did Reuben learn that the sufferer was Kate +Barnaby, the wild, rough girl in whom he had become interested. The +accident was a sad consequence of her own lawlessness. It was against +the rules for women to touch these machines, or even to enter the room +where they were, the danger of their clothing becoming entangled in the +machinery being so great. But Kate, in one of her reckless moods, had +been tempted to disobey if she dared, and had defiantly ventured to +approach and even attempt to work one of the machines in the absence of +the workmen, with a result which the giddy girls who had led her into +this mischief would never forget. + +Reuben was shocked and unnerved by the terrible sight. It was all +he could do to keep from sobbing aloud as the women did. No one who +had witnessed the accident thought it possible that Kate could live. +A sense of horror and gloom oppressed all the workers in the large +factory, as they discussed with painful eagerness the event. Nothing +else was talked about, and all were glad when the hour of closing came. + +As they passed out of the gates, quite a number of the "hands" turned +in the direction of the hospital, that they might inquire there as to +Kate's condition. Reuben was of the number. It was a great relief to +him to learn that the surgeons did not consider the case hopeless. But +he returned to the gatehouse with his heart heavy with anxiety, and +that night he tossed to and fro on his bed and could not sleep, whilst +the horrible scene which had shocked him kept renewing itself before +his mental vision. + + +At last, finding the attempt to sleep vain, he rose and went to his +window. It was about five in the morning, but still dark, and no +wind was stirring. As Reuben pressed his hot forehead against the +window-pane, he perceived to his astonishment a light moving unsteadily +at the farther end of the yard. Now here, now there it was, then he +lost sight of it, then a few minutes later it appeared again. + +Reuben began to tremble with a vague terror. What could it mean? Some +one surely was moving about the yard who had no business to be there. +How was it that the faithful watchdog, which ranged the premises at +night, had given no alarm? Watching closely, Reuben began to fancy that +he could see forms moving stealthily in the darkness. All his senses +now on the alert, he became aware of dull, muffled sounds from time to +time. Something apparently was wrong, and he must discover what. + +Hurriedly drawing on his clothes, he prepared to go forth, but at the +door of his room he paused and hesitated, in doubt whether it would be +well to rouse old Samuel. He went back to the window. The light was no +longer visible, but still he fancied he could hear sounds as of some +one stirring in the yard. Yet it all seemed so dream-like that Reuben +was by no means sure that he was not the victim of some delusion, the +result of his over-strained nerves and sleepless night. He resolved, +though not without tremor, that he would slip into the yard, and +ascertain whether there was any one there before he awoke old Samuel. + +The sound of the old man's heavy breathing was reassuring to Reuben as +he crept downstairs. He began to hope that he had disquieted himself +about nothing. But as, having quietly opened the house door, he stepped +into the yard, he saw the light again, Reuben's heart beat fast as he +crept along towards the spot at which it had appeared. + +Presently the sound of subdued voices reached his ear. There were men +moving at the end of the yard, but he was not yet near enough to hear +what they were saying. + +It was lighter out of doors than it had seemed from the window. As he +advanced, Reuben saw to his astonishment that a cart and horse stood +before one of the buildings. It was that in which the metal goods, when +finished, were temporarily stored. Reuben could not imagine how the +cart could have been driven into the yard after the gates were closed. +He moved on, feeling like one in a dream. + +As he came up to it, he saw that the horse's hoofs were muffled to +prevent its tread being heard. The next moment he perceived that the +storehouse door stood open, and that some one within was handing out +goods to a man who stood at the back of the cart, and was hurriedly +packing them into it. + +Reuben shrank back against the wall, trembling in every limb. Here were +thieves indeed, and they were doing their work in a wholesale way. +But the discovery inspired him, excited and overwrought as he was, +with such terror, that he cowered against the wall, close to the cart, +unable to move forward or back. + +The next minute the man at the cart said, in a low, cautious tone to +his confederate within, "I say, Nat, it's getting late. We'd best be +off before it grows any lighter." + +The man within appeared to assent. A few more things were handed out, +then a few moments later Reuben heard the sound of the storehouse door +being closed and locked. + +The next minute a man carrying a lantern passed in front of Reuben. The +lad held his breath, and vainly tried to squeeze himself closer to the +wall. Then to his amazement he saw that the man was none other than Nat +Savage. For a moment Reuben had the idea that all was right, and he was +there on lawful business. But the darkness, the stealth, the haste told +another story. + +It was easy now to explain how they gained admittance to the works. +Savage had keys that would open every gate or door on the premises. +He was trusted with everything. And this was how he rewarded the +confidence placed in him! + +Following at Savage's heels was the watchdog belonging to the premises. +Reuben knew that Savage had trained this dog to do anything he told +him. He would not bark if his master bid him be still. But the dog knew +Reuben well also, and now, to the lad's dismay, he bounded towards him, +giving a low whine of delight. + +[Illustration: "WE ARE NOT BURGLARS!"] + +Instantly, Savage turned and flashed the light of his lantern upon +Reuben. + +"You here!" exclaimed the man, his face white with fear, his form +trembling visibly. Then, in ungovernable passion, he broke out, "But +I'll teach you to spy upon me; I'll give you a lesson." + +And he raised his hand to strike Reuben. Ere he could do so, his arm +was seized by his companion, whom Reuben now recognised as a little old +man, with a mean, cunning face, whom he had occasionally seen in the +yard talking with Savage. + +"Gently, gently," whispered this man; "don't make a noise. You forget +the old man. Tell him it's all right." + +Savage took the hint, recovered himself and said more quietly, though +his manner still betrayed agitation, "You need not be alarmed, Reuben +Roy. We are not burglars. It is all perfectly right, I assure you. Now +you have seen who is here, you can go back to your bed. Only remember, +please, that I do not wish this talked about. Give me your word that +you will say nothing of this to any one." + +But Reuben was silent. He was by no means satisfied that all was +perfectly right, and, though he dreaded Savage's violence, he would not +promise to keep silence, when he believed it was his duty to speak of +what he had seen. + +"Why don't you speak?" asked Savage angrily. "Don't you hear me? +Promise that you will name this to no one. Come, I am not to be trifled +with, I can tell you. Promise to hold your tongue, or it will be the +worse for you." + +"I will not promise," said Reuben bravely, though his voice shook as he +spoke. "I am bound to tell Samuel what I have seen. If it is all right, +as you say, you need not surely mind his knowing." + +"You are to tell no one. I warn you, Reuben Roy, that I am in deadly +earnest. Breathe a word of this to any one, and it will be the worse +for you. Now, will you promise?" + +Reuben shook his head. And, remembering how he had withstood him on a +previous occasion, Savage became possessed by an impotent rage that +drove him almost beside himself. He rushed at Reuben with clenched +fist, but the young fellow, springing on one side, evaded the blow. +At the same instant, however, the other man stepped forward, and by a +cunning movement of his foot, tripped Reuben up, causing him to fall +heavily to the ground. + +As he fell, his head struck against an angle of the wall with such +force that the blow stunned him. He lay there motionless till the full +light of day shone upon his white, upturned face. + +[Illustration] + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER VII. + +REUBEN'S STORY IS DISCREDITED. + +WHEN Reuben came to himself, he did not at first realize that he was +not waking as usual in his bed. He was very cold; his head ached +sorely, and he felt bruised all over. Then he became aware that the +surface on which he lay was very hard, then that a chill wind was +blowing over him. With that he raised himself on his elbow, not without +difficulty, for he felt strangely stiff, and lo! he was in the yard, +and the factory buildings were all about him. + +For a few moments Reuben felt utterly bewildered. But gradually the +events of the early morning came back to him. Only the fact of his +being stretched there in the yard made him sure that it was not all +a bad dream. For everything about him looked as usual. The cart and +the men had disappeared, nor was there any sign of their having been +there. He raised himself from the ground with difficulty. The movement +made him feel ill, and everything seemed to swim before his eyes. But +presently he began to feel better, and was able to make his way back to +the gatehouse. + +Old Samuel was already down, and was busying himself about the +breakfast, wondering the while that Reuben, who generally undertook +the preparation of this meal, still lingered upstairs. He had just +discovered to his astonishment that the house door was unbolted, +when the appearance of Reuben, pale and dishevelled, coming in from +the outside, astonished him still further. But the story Reuben had +to tell, seemed to the old man scarcely credible. Mr. Savage in the +yard before five o'clock in the morning, with a horse and cart, and a +strange man engaged in carrying goods away! There must be some mistake. + +"You did not dream it all, did you, lad?" he asked, not unkindly, +laying his hand on Reuben's hot forehead. "You don't look at all well, +and you feel feverish. Are you quite sure, now, that you did not dream +it all?" + +"Dream it!" exclaimed Reuben, feeling indignant that, after all he had +gone through, his story should be thus received. "How could I dream +such a thing? Do you think I do not know Nat Savage when I see him? +Ask him yourself, if he was not in the yard last night. And as for +my looking ill, I may well do that after the fall I had. Look at my +forehead; it's bleeding still." + +"Yes, yes, poor lad, you've had a fall, that's plain enough," said the +old gate-keeper feelingly. "Have you ever heard your mother say whether +she's known you walk in your sleep?" + +"I never walk in my sleep," said Reuben impatiently. "I tell you that +as soon as I saw the light and guessed that there were persons in the +yard, I hurried on some clothes and went out." + +"Yes, yes, I know," said Samuel, with a smile which nettled Reuben. +"But it passes my comprehension how any one could have got into the +yard without my hearing them. But go and lie down, lad, if you can't +eat any breakfast. A little sleep will do you good. I shall not open +the gates for half an hour yet, and if you don't feel well enough to +get up then, lie still a little longer. I'll tell Mr. Akenside how it +is." + +"Oh, I mean to tell Mr. Akenside everything myself, as soon as he +comes," returned Reuben. + +"Very well, very well," replied the old man, in the tone of one who +would humour a whimsical patient; "but go and get a little rest whilst +you can." + +And Reuben was glad to take his advice, for his head ached terribly, +and he felt good for nothing. + +He had not lain long on his bed ere he fell fast asleep. Finding him +sleeping soundly when he came to look at him a little later, old Samuel +let him sleep on, for he felt sure Reuben would not be fit for work if +he were roused. As the gate-keeper stood at his post taking the names +of the workpeople as they passed into the works, Mr. Savage came in. +Samuel looked at him curiously. But the foreman wore his usual stern, +inflexible look, which revealed nothing. + +"Mr. Savage," said Samuel. + +Savage turned sharply at the sound of his name. + +"Well," he said—he was always curt of speech—"what is it?" + +"I suppose you wasn't in the yard at five o'clock this morning?" + +"What! I! In the yard at that hour? I should rather think not. I have +enough of the place by daylight, without wanting to come here in the +dark." + +"So I thought," said the old man, with a grin. + +"Then what do you mean by asking me such a question?" + +"Oh, it's that lad Reuben. I believe he is brain-sick. He came in this +morning with such a story—how he had seen a light in the yard, and had +gone out and found you, if you please, with a cart carrying away goods. +It's my belief that he walked out in his sleep under the influence of a +delusion. That poor girl's accident yesterday upset him very much. He +has a tender heart, has Reuben." + +"I hope that may be the explanation," said Savage grimly. "But I am +very much afraid that story is a wicked invention, made with the +purpose of hiding his own ill-deeds at the expense of my character. If +I am not mistaken, you are deceived in that lad, Samuel." + +"I hope you 'are' mistaken, then," said Samuel, "for I never felt more +confidence in any lad. It seemed to me more like a delirious dream than +anything else. For how could you get into the yard without my hearing +you? And then to charge you of all persons with carrying off the goods!" + +"Yes; it's a most incredible story," said Savage. "As if any one could +pass the gatehouse without rousing you! But you'll see; he will try to +pass it off as truth. Where is he now?" + +"In bed. I told him to stay there. He does not seem fit for work." + +"That's right!" and Savage hurried away. + +After sleeping for a couple of hours, poor Reuben woke, feeling +refreshed. He rose and dressed quickly. The discovery of the morning +weighed upon his mind, and he could not rest till he had told all to +Mr. Akenside. As he went downstairs, he heard the clock strike ten, and +was dismayed to think it was so late. + +"Well, lad," said Samuel cheerfully, "do you feel all right now?" + +"Yes, all right, thank you," said Reuben, and hurried out, as if on his +way to work. + +As he passed one of the workshops, Reuben was surprised to see Nat +Savage standing within, giving orders in his usual sharp manner. He +cast a suspicious glance at Reuben, but made no attempt to stay him. + +Reuben made his way to the office, where he hoped at this hour to find +Mr. Akenside; nor was he disappointed. Mr. Akenside's voice it was that +bade him enter in response to his knock. + +"Oh, it's you, Reuben Roy, is it?" said Mr. Akenside. His voice was +cold and stern. + +But Reuben did not observe it. He was too full of the disclosure he had +to make. He began his story tremulously, but he had not got to the end +when Mr. Akenside checked him. + +"That will do, Reuben Roy," he said sternly. "It is a very ingenious +fabrication, no doubt, but you cannot deceive me by it. I am sorry to +say that Mr. Savage has just told me of the discovery he has made that +some one has managed to gain an entrance into the storehouse and carry +off some of the goods, and that he suspects you of being the thief." + +For a few moments Reuben was too astounded to speak. + +"'Me!'" he exclaimed at last. "Mr. Savage dared to say he suspected me! +Why, I saw him myself, last night, removing things from the warehouse." + +"No more lies, if you please, Reuben," said Mr. Akenside sadly; "you +cannot suppose that I should believe your word rather than that of +Nathaniel Savage, who has been my faithful servant for more than twenty +years." + +"But, sir, I am telling you the very truth," said Reuben desperately; +"God knows it is no lie." + +"There, there, that will do," said Mr. Akenside. "If it be indeed +the truth, Reuben, you will not mind our searching your room at the +gatehouse." + +"Search it, by all means, if you wish, sir," said Reuben eagerly. "You +will not find anything there that does not belong to me." + +"Very well; I shall be glad to satisfy myself that it is so," said Mr. +Akenside. "So we will go to your room at once, Reuben." + +As they passed out of the office, Mr. Akenside called one of the men to +accompany him. + +Reuben, his face flushed with indignation, led the way, eager to clear +himself of the imputation of dishonesty. + +When they entered Reuben's bedroom, Mr. Akenside bade the man search it +thoroughly. The room was so small that the search did not take long. +Beneath the bed was a hamper. Reuben had received it from home in the +autumn, full of rosy apples. When he last saw it, the hamper was empty. +But now, as the man's eye fell on it and he tried to draw it out, he +found it so heavy, that he had difficulty in moving it. He opened the +hamper, and within, closely packed in straw, were several of the small +metal goods manufactured in Mr. Akenside's works. + +"What is the meaning of this, Reuben?" asked Mr. Akenside sternly. + +Reuben shrank back terrified, dismayed, too overwhelmed to speak. He +could hardly believe his eyes. How came those things there, in his +hamper, beneath his bed? He tried to speak, but the words came broken +by sobs, and Mr. Akenside might well mistake his agitation for guilt, +as he exclaimed, "Indeed, sir, I know nothing about it; I did not put +them there." + +"That will not do," said Mr. Akenside; "you cannot expect me to believe +that." + +Certainly things looked very bad for Reuben Roy. Even old Samuel, when +he saw the things that had been found in his room, was convinced of his +dishonesty. And to furnish another link in the evidence against him, +a rusty key was found beneath the rug, which fitted the lock of the +storehouse. There seemed no longer any reasonable ground to doubt his +guilt. + +But in vain Mr. Akenside urged the lad to make full confession of the +wrong he had done. Reuben had nothing to confess. But his silence +appeared to prove his obduracy. + +Mr. Akenside hesitated how to deal with him. But at last he said: +"For the sake of your father and mother, Reuben, I will not prosecute +you. But, of course, after what has happened, I cannot keep you in my +service, nor can I give you a character that will help you to gain +another situation. You have brought your life to a sorry pass. May God +have mercy on you, and save you from sinking yet lower!" + +A strange flash came into Reuben's eyes. In the midst of this sore +trouble, the thought of God gave him strength. + +"I don't wonder, sir," he said, quietly and respectfully—"I don't +wonder that you think me guilty of stealing those things. But God knows +I never touched them, and that I never saw that key till you found it +under the rug. I can trust in God. He has sent me this trial, and He +will make my innocence clear in His own time." + +Mr. Akenside was staggered by Reuben's manner. Was it indeed innocence, +or was it the most cunning hypocrisy? Unable to decide, he left the lad +without another word. + +And Reuben began to gather his things together preparatory to quitting +the gatehouse. + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER VIII. + +A TIME OF TRIAL. + +"WELL, lad, I am sorry to part with you—more than sorry that we should +part in this way. There's no one would be more glad than I if you could +find a way to prove that you never touched those things. But there! +It's past belief. How could any one bring them into the gatehouse +without my hearing? I must think evil of you, lad, though I'd fain not." + +The speaker was old Samuel, and he looked unhappy enough as he said +these words. + +"Thank you," said Reuben, in a choked voice; "I know you mean kindly. +Maybe you'll be able to think well of me again some day." + +Reuben had ascertained that the attic in which he had formerly lodged +was vacant once more, and he could have it. So thither he now removed +with his few possessions. How long he would be able to live there, +he could not tell. He had saved a little money, but that would soon +dwindle away, unless he found some means of earning more. Reuben's +heart sank within him as he remembered how hard it would be for a young +man without a character to gain employment. + +Had Reuben borne a guilty conscience, he could not have endured to +live amongst the workpeople, who all knew of his disgrace. As it was, +he shrank from the hard, curious glances directed towards him, and was +painfully conscious of the whispers concerning him that were passing +amongst his former companions, hearing them with the ears of his mind, +if not with his actual bodily ears. + +But whilst oppressed by his own troubles, Reuben did not forget poor +Kate Barnaby. He went almost every day to the hospital to inquire +for her, and was thankful to learn that she was making satisfactory +progress, and there was good hope that her life would be saved. + +Day after day Reuben sought for work, but with the result that he had +dreaded. No one cared to employ him, when it was found he could not +give a satisfactory character. + +Reuben had not told his father and mother of his having left Mr. +Akenside's factory. He clung to the hope that some fact would be +brought to light that should establish his innocence, so that his +parents need not learn of his trouble till its worst phase was over. +But the days passed on, and no light broke through Reuben's heavy cloud +of trouble. He struggled bravely with misfortune, living on as little +as possible, and taking eagerly every chance job that came in his way. +But the sense of undeserved reproach weighed heavily on his heart. +There were times when his courage well-nigh failed, and the trial +seemed indeed more than he could bear. Had God forgotten him? Was there +no way of escape from this the hardest of all his temptations? + + +One day, about three weeks after Reuben's dismissal from the factory, +Reuben calling at the hospital was informed that Kate was now +sufficiently recovered to see visitors, and that she had expressed a +wish to see him. It was arranged that he should pay her a visit on the +following Sunday afternoon. + +Kate was looking forward with eagerness to his coming. She welcomed him +with such a bright smile and showed so much pleasure at seeing him that +he thought she could not know of the cloud he was under. The poor girl +was sadly altered. Her face was white and wasted, and the dark hollows +beneath her eyes testified to the pain she had suffered. But she was +getting better now, she said hopefully, though when she would be fit +for work again she could not tell. + +"Mr. Akenside came to see me yesterday," she said. "He says I am not +to worry myself about getting back to work directly I come out of the +hospital, for he'll allow me ten shillings a week till I am strong. +He's a good man, is Mr. Akenside." + +"Yes, he is," said Reuben. + +Kate looked at him in surprise. + +"What! You can say that!" she exclaimed. "I should have thought you'd +have been mad with him for accusing you of stealing and turning you +off." + +"Ah! Then you've heard," he said, flashing crimson. + +"Yes, I've heard, Reuben," she said, "but I don't believe a word of it. +You steal the goods, indeed! The idea of such a thing is absurd, and so +I told Mr. Akenside." + +"You told him!" + +"Yes, I did. I told him I was sure it was a mistake, and that some one +has been playing you a mean trick." + +"And what did he say?" + +"Oh, he didn't say anything, only that he was very sorry about the +whole affair. It was a great grief to him." + +"I am sure it was," said Reuben. + +"I wonder you can take it so quietly, Reuben." + +"What would be the good of storming and fretting over it?" he asked. +"That would not alter the facts. Of course I feel it very much." + +"Have you told your mother?" she asked. + +"No, I have not," he replied. "I thought it would trouble her so. But I +begin to feel as if I must tell her. I don't like keeping things from +her." + +"I'd tell her if I were you," said Kate. "I think she'd like you to +tell her. If she's the kind of mother I take her for, she'll not be +hard on you." + +"She will not be hard on me, I know," said Reuben, smiling; "it's only +that I don't want her to fret about me." + +"I should like to know your mother," said Kate. + +"Well, perhaps you will some day," he replied. + +"I wish I'd had such a mother," said the girl, a sorrowful look coming +into her eyes. "My mother used to drink and beat me. I might have been +a better girl if I'd had a different sort of mother." + +"You'll be a better girl yet, Kate." + +She shook her head. + +"Why not?" he said, with some hesitation. "Perhaps that is why the +accident came to you—that you might have time to think about your life, +and resolve to make it better." + +"What is the good of thinking?" she said sharply. "I'm sick of +thinking." + +Reuben was silent. + +"Reuben," she said, after a pause, "they say at the yard that you're +religious. Is that true?" + +"I hope so," he said, colouring. + +"What is it to be religious?" she asked. + +Reuben hardly knew how to answer this question. There seemed to him so +much involved in it. + +"I suppose," he began, awkwardly, "that a religious person is one who +fears God." + +"Fears God," she repeated. "How can that be? I fear God, but I am not a +religious person. I felt dreadfully afraid of God when I thought I was +going to die." + +"Oh, but it's not that kind of fear," said Reuben. "I don't know how to +explain it. But it's more like the kind of fear children have of their +parents. They fear to offend them because they love them." + +"Must one have good parents in order to be religious?" asked Kate. + +"Oh no; surely you know better than that!" said Reuben. "Religion is +for every one. I mean God wants everybody to trust Him and love Him. +That is why He sent His Son into the world to be our Saviour." + +"Tell me more about it," said Kate eagerly. + +But at this moment one of the nurses came up to warn Reuben that he had +stayed as long as he should. + +"Oh, I do not want you to go yet," said Kate, looking vexed. Then, as +Reuben came near to bid her good-bye, she said, almost in a whisper, +"Tell me before you go—does being religious make things easier?" + +"Make things easier?" he repeated, not catching her meaning. + +"Yes, does it make things easier to bear? Does it help you to bear +being turned away from the factory and knowing that people think you a +thief?" + +Reuben's face grew crimson; but he answered, without a moment's +hesitation: "It does make it easier, very much easier. Indeed, I could +not bear it but for that." + +[Illustration] + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE CLOUD IS LIFTED. + +WHILST engaged in his weary search for employment, it occurred to +Reuben that Owen Grant, who knew so much about the ways of town, might +be able to help him, or at least give him advice as to the best way of +seeking a situation. It would not be agreeable to Reuben to confess to +Owen that he had lost his place at the factory, and was under suspicion +of dishonesty, but he was not one to forego any course of action simply +because it involved what was painful. + +So subduing his reluctance, he went one evening to the draper's shop +he had before visited, and entering, looked round for Owen. But a girl +was now seated at the high desk receiving cash, and Owen was not to +be seen. The next minute the shop-walker advanced to inquire what his +business might be, and Reuben asked if he could speak to Owen Grant. + +"He is not here," said the man, to Reuben's surprise; "he went away on +Saturday." + +"Went away!" said Reuben. "Has he gone for a holiday, sir?" + +"He has gone for good—or bad," was the curt rejoinder. "Perhaps he went +home, but I do not know. I can give you no information concerning him." + +Reuben turned away very much surprised. He received no response to his +quiet "good evening," and he fancied that the shop-walker eyed him +suspiciously as he passed out of the shop. + +"But why should he?" Reuben asked himself. "Perhaps it is only my +fancy. I am getting to expect that people should look doubtfully at me. +It is not likely that that man can know that I have been turned away +from the works." + +Reuben wondered very much what could be the explanation of Owen's +having left the business where he had boasted that he was doing so +well. Could he have fallen into any trouble akin to that which he, +Reuben, was suffering? Reuben's sympathy went out towards him at the +very thought. + + +Two days later Reuben went again to the hospital to see Kate. He found +her greatly excited, but not on her own account. She had been shocked +and grieved by hearing of a terrible case that had been brought into +the ward that day. A man had been knocked down in the street by a cab, +and so injured that it was feared he could not live. + +"And oh, Reuben," exclaimed Kate excitedly, "as they carried him past +this bed, I saw his face, and I am almost sure that I have seen him at +the works. I don't fancy he is one of the 'hands,' but I believe that +I have seen him there. Perhaps you would recognise him. Do try to get +a look at him before you go. His bed is in that corner, behind the +screen." + +"But if he is so ill, he will not care to be looked at, perhaps," said +Reuben, shrinking rather from approaching the poor sufferer. + +"Oh, he will not see you, he is unconscious. He was groaning terribly +last night, but they say he does not feel actual pain." + +So Reuben moved gently towards the bed in the corner, and peeping round +the side of the screen, saw the face of the injured man, white and +still, turned towards him. The sight sent a strange thrill through him, +for there was something familiar in the grizzled hair, the thin lined +face, the scanty beard. It was the old man he had seen in the yard with +Savage on the fateful morning, which now hung dream-like in his memory, +though he was convinced of the reality of all he had seen and heard at +that early hour. + +"Who is he?" whispered Kate eagerly, as he came back to her side. "You +know him; I can see you know him." + +"I do not know his name," said Reuben, "but I believe he is a friend of +Mr. Savage's. I have seen him in the yard." + +"So have I," exclaimed Kate eagerly; "I have seen him speaking to Nat +Savage. A horrid-looking old man, I thought him. But, poor fellow, one +can only pity him now." + +"If you know anything of that patient, we should be glad to hear it," +said the sister in charge of the ward, overhearing their words; "we +could find no trace of his identity, and no one seems to have made +inquiries concerning him. Who is he?" + +"I cannot tell you," said Reuben "I only know that I've seen him in the +yard at Akenside's works, talking with the foreman." + +"Who is the foreman? Cannot you let him know that this man is here?" + +Reuben was silent. The suggestion seemed to cause him dismay. + +"I don't work at Akenside's now," he said, after a pause. + +"Well, what if you do not?" said the lady, not understanding; "you can +surely carry a message there. Do go at once! I fear the poor old man +cannot live long. Think what it is for him to lie there, alone and +friendless." + +Still Reuben hesitated. He would rather she had asked him to walk +through fire, he thought, than to enter the work-yard from which he had +been so disgracefully dismissed. + +"Do go, Reuben," said Kate gently; "I know how you feel, and that +Savage is the last man you wish to speak with, but do it for the sake +of the poor old man." + +And Reuben went. He approached the works with the hope that he might +see some one about who would carry the message for him. But the hope +was disappointed. It was the middle of the afternoon, and every one was +busy. He saw no one at leisure to whom he dared entrust the message. + +"Why, Reuben, lad, it's never you," said the old gate-keeper. + +Reuben winced at the words, though the tone was kind. + +"Yes, it's me, Samuel," Reuben replied; "I've come with a message to +Mr. Savage. Can you tell me where I shall find him?" + +Samuel indicated the building in which he believed the foreman to be, +and then stood watching the lad with an air of amazement as he made his +way to it. It seemed to him an extraordinary thing that Reuben should +come there and ask for Mr. Savage of all persons. He only hoped that it +boded good, that something was in the wind that might restore Reuben +to his old place in Mr. Akenside's esteem. But he could not persuade +himself that such a thing was likely. + +Savage was standing just within the workshop, talking in his usual loud +dictatorial tone, when Reuben approached. + +Turning quickly and seeing Reuben beside him, he fairly started with +surprise. Then, annoyed at having betrayed himself thus, he turned +fiercely upon the young man. + +"You here!" he exclaimed. "How dare you enter the yard, you rascal? You +ought to be in gaol by rights. It was mistaken kindness, in my opinion, +to let you go free, and now you have the audacity to show your face +here! Be off with you, or I'll give you in charge." + +"I came here in order to speak with you, Mr. Savage," said Reuben +quietly, though his whole soul was aflame with indignation; "and let me +warn you to be careful what you say, for I have surely as much right to +be at large as you have. There is an old man at the hospital, seriously +injured, who I believe is a friend of yours—at least, I have seen him +with you more than once. No one there knows who he is, and they fear he +cannot live. They want you to go to the hospital and identify him." + +Savage had changed colour whilst Reuben was speaking. He grew so white +that not Reuben alone observed it, but all the workpeople who were +near, listening curiously to what passed. + +"What do you mean?" he asked defiantly. "What cock-and-bull story is +this? I know no man at the hospital." + +"You know this man," said Reuben; "he is an old man with greyish hair +and a short grey beard. I tell you I have seen him with you more than +once. But you can do as you like about coming. I have told you." + +"A pretty thing to tell me," cried Savage. "How am I to know what man +it is? But we know your talent for inventing stories, Reuben Roy." + +The taunt was lost upon Reuben, who had turned hurriedly away, only +too anxious to leave the place. But ere he had gone many steps, he ran +against Mr. Akenside, who was as astonished to see him as Savage had +been. + +"Reuben," he said sternly, "why are you here?" + +Reuben flushed crimson, and for a moment he hung his head and could not +reply. But happily, he remembered that he had no true cause for shame, +and he lifted his eyes and looked Mr. Akenside full in the face as he +explained the errand on which he had come. + +"Ah, I see," said the gentleman; "it was right of you to come. Is Mr. +Savage going at once to the hospital?" + +"I think not," said Reuben. "He says he does not know the man." + +"But how is that? You say you recognised him as one you had seen with +Savage." + +"Mr. Akenside," said Reuben, speaking with difficulty, "you will not +believe me, I know, but I have always told you the truth. This man +at the hospital is the man I saw in the yard with Mr. Savage on that +morning when your goods were taken." + +Mr. Akenside's face clouded. He looked puzzled, perplexed, embarrassed. + +"I cannot understand it," he said coldly. "I had better come to the +hospital and see the man myself." + +Reuben moved on and walked home to his lodging, feeling faint and +heart-sick. Every one was against him; no one would believe his word. +Savage was prosperous and elate; whilst he who had always acted +truthfully and honestly towards his master was cast off without a +character, to starve! + +Poor Reuben! His spirit sank utterly within him when he reached his +lone attic. He could no longer fight against despair. There seemed +no help for him in heaven or on earth. Even God seemed afar off and +pitiless. + +The depression which overcame him and made him cast himself in anguish +on his bed was to a great extent the result of physical causes. The +poor lad was half starved. For weeks he had been living on insufficient +food, whilst tramping about in search of work, or doing such chance +jobs as he could find. It was no wonder he broke down now. But the +suffering was sore, and Reuben never forgot it. + +Happily it was the last dark hour before the dawn. It was late in the +day ere Mr. Akenside could get to the hospital. When he arrived, the +poor old man was near his end. With the approach of death, perfect +consciousness had returned to him. At the sight of Mr. Akenside, he +became greatly agitated. A guilty conscience made him believe his crime +already discovered, and a few questions from Mr. Akenside elicited a +full confession of the systematic robbery from the works, which, in +confederacy with Savage, he had been carrying on for years. + +Mr. Akenside was inexpressibly shocked to discover how he had been +deceived by the servant in whom he had placed entire confidence. He +spoke seriously to the aged sinner, who had revealed this hidden evil +of his past, trying hard to bring him to a state of true penitence. +But who could say if there were genuine feeling in the few words of +contrition the sufferer uttered ere he passed away, or whether they +were merely the expression of a craven fear? There may be hope, but +there is no bright light at eventide about the death-bed of one whose +life has been spent in the service of sin. + + +On the following day, Nathaniel Savage was committed to prison to +await his trial, and Reuben's innocence of the crime imputed to him +was proclaimed in the hearing of every one at the works. For Savage's +accomplice had kept back nothing, but had explained how Savage, whilst +Reuben lay senseless in the yard, had, in order to remove suspicion +from themselves, stealthily entered the gatehouse, and creeping +noiselessly up the stairs, contrived to conceal some of the stolen +goods under Reuben's bed, and left a key lying about as further +evidence of his guilt. + +Every one appeared glad to hear the news about Reuben, and no one, +except Mr. Akenside, seemed astounded by the fact of Savage's villainy, +for by many a wrong unjust act, the foreman had revealed to those under +his orders what kind of man he was. + +Reuben did not at once return to his place at the works. Mr. Akenside +was grieved to find how much the lad had suffered. His pale, pinched +face told of his loss of strength. And Mr. Akenside kindly insisted +on his accepting a sum of money, which Reuben thought a far more +munificent compensation than he had any right to expect, and going home +for a long holiday ere he began work again. + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER X. + +A SON THAT CAUSETH SHAME. + +REUBEN felt like a new creature when he started for Ashworth, and, +leaving the smoky town behind, saw again the green fields and the clear +blue sky. The trees were still bare, but here and there were tokens +of spring's approach, the yellow catkins drooping from the willows, +a touch of vivid green amidst the brown twigs, a shy primrose or +two-peeping from beneath a hedge. + +But if spring did not yet possess the outer world, it was full +springtide in the heart of Reuben Roy. Not till now that it was lifted +from his spirit had he fully realized what a crushing burden was the +sense of unmerited disgrace. It was delightful to feel that he was free +from it at last, that his character was cleared from every imputation, +and that no one now could point to him in scorn as one who should be in +prison if he had his deserts. + +And as he rejoiced with a glad sense of freedom and renewed life, it +struck Reuben what a dreadful thing, since the mere shadow of such +evil was so hard to bear, must the sense of actual guilt be. It was +bad enough to know that others regarded you as a wrong-doer, but how +much sorer shame must he feel who knew himself to be a criminal, and +who could never again look his fellow-man frankly in the face, feeling +himself worthy of respect. + + "There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." + +The words flashed suddenly upon Reuben's mind with a new vivid +revelation of their truth. He had known before that all men are +sinners, and that Jesus Christ is the Saviour from sin, but now his +recent experience gave him a keen sense of the misery that sin works. + +He saw sin as the most appalling fact in human life, the universal +shadow clouding the beauty and joy of earth; saw how unforgiven sin +inevitably involves a sense of guilt and separation from God, and how +the gospel, with its glad proclamation of no condemnation through faith +in the Divine Atonement, absolves the conscience of the sinner and sets +his spirit free. + +And Reuben knew that even the best of men can be kept from sin only by +the grace of God. If his long trial of unjust suspicion and undeserved +scorn had bred any self-righteousness in the heart of Reuben Roy, it +was all swept away now, and he knew himself a weak, sinful lad, needing +every moment that Divine grace which God has promised to all who seek +it, and in the strength of which alone can temptations be successfully +resisted. + + +Reuben's mother was dismayed to see her son looking so white and thin. +And she questioned him so closely as to the cause of his altered looks +that he soon had to tell her the whole history of the trial he had +undergone. She listened with deep interest, and an emotion she could +not conceal. + +"I was sure there was something wrong," she said; "I could tell it by +your letters, lad. But you should have told your mother. I would rather +have known all about it, even if it should worry me. It wouldn't have +given me the worst trouble. You'd have had no word of reproach from me, +Reuben. I know my lad, and if all the folks in Birmingham had called +you a thief, it would have made no difference to me; I should know that +you were not." + +Reuben was very pleased to hear his mother say that. + +"I am glad you can trust me, mother," he said. + +"I should hope I could trust my own son," she said proudly; "you've +never deceived me and your father yet, and I know you never will. Ah, +how I pity those parents whose children deceive them, and who find out +when it is too late what their real character is." + +"Mother," said Reuben quickly, "have you heard anything of Owen Grant? +Is he at home now?" + +"Yes, alas! I have heard of Owen," said Mrs. Roy gravely, "but it's no +good news, Reuben." + +"What is wrong?" he asked. "I know that Owen has left the business he +was in." + +"He was dismissed for a shameful reason, Reuben. It was discovered that +he had been stealing his employer's money." + +"Mother!" exclaimed Reuben. Then he added quickly, "Perhaps there is +some mistake. He may have been falsely accused, as I was." + +"No, it is not so, unhappily," said Mrs. Roy. "His crime was brought +home to him in such a way that he could not deny it. They say he +managed it very cleverly—he was always so sharp, poor Owen! He kept the +accounts, I believe, and for weeks he managed to take considerable sums +of money, and yet, according to the books, all seemed right. But it +was found out at last, of course. It seems that he had fallen into bad +company, and he wanted the money for gambling debts and the like." + +"Ah," said Reuben, "I was afraid from what I saw of him that he was +going wrong, but I never dreamed of anything so bad as this. Oh, his +poor old parents, how will they bear it? It's enough to break their +hearts." + +"Their hearts are just broken, I believe. The poor old man looks as if +he'd never lift up his head again. They say that when he'd read the +letter that brought the ill news, he opened the old family Bible and +took a pen and scored out Owen's name and all he had written about him." + +"Did he really? Poor old man! He was always so proud of Owen." + +"To tell the truth they were both almost foolish about him. It was just +as if they thought he could not do wrong, like everybody else's child." + +"Did Owen write himself?" asked Reuben. + +"No. It would have been better if he had," said Mrs. Roy. "His employer +wrote. He has behaved very kindly. He had such a respect for Owen's +parents that he would not prosecute him. He advised Owen to come home, +but he has not done so, and they do not know where he is, which is an +added grief to his mother, though his father does not seem to care. +Poor old David has always been proud of his good name, and he feels the +disgrace sorely. He is determined to pay back every penny which Owen +took, and is going to sell his house and land in order to do so." + +"Oh, what a pity! That dear old house, where he has lived all his life! +Ah, mother, that is real trouble. Mine was nothing compared with it. +How can Owen bear to think of the sorrow he has brought upon his father +and mother?" + +The news saddened Reuben greatly, and, despite the brightness of his +home-coming, and the joyous welcome he had from every one, he could not +soon shake off its sombre influence. It was another instance of the +misery that sin works. Fair, peaceful, Ashworth had seemed to Reuben, +when he thought of it amid the din and gloom of Birmingham, far removed +from the evils of the city. But here, too, were homes darkened by sin, +and innocent sufferers sharing the punishment of the guilty. The fact +that the bitter consequences of sin are rarely confined to the sinner +seemed to Reuben a fresh reason why every true man should gird himself +for a lifelong resistance to temptation. + + +The sale of David Grant's house and land took place in the following +week. He had hurried it on, impatient apparently to get it over. The +picturesque old cottage, the oaken furniture, the rare china, the fine +linen, all came to the hammer. He would let his wife retain only the +barest necessaries to furnish the tiny one-roomed cottage which was now +to shelter their grey heads. + +"What does it matter about us?" he asked. "Let us but pay the money, +let us clear our name of the disgrace 'he' has brought on it, and then +the sooner the grave closes over us the better." + +But his wife was of another mind. She was not ready to die until she +had seen her child again. His sin, deeply as she grieved for it, did +not make him less her son. Sometimes it seemed to her that she loved +Owen more now than before he went astray. + +Most of the neighbours came to the sale at David Grant's. It was their +way of showing sympathy with the poor old people, upon whom such a +heavy burden of shame and grief had fallen. Every one hoped that the +sale would go off well and realize a good sum. It was a surprise to +them that David Grant himself was present, seated near the auctioneer. +The old man looked sadly bent and aged. He sat leaning forward, his +hands clasped upon his stout walking-stick, and his eyes upon the +ground. He gave neither word nor glance to any one. Nor did he betray +any sign of emotion, as one after another his household goods and the +relics of his ancestry, which he had prized so much, were put up for +sale. + +When all was over and the people were dispersing, his attitude remained +unchanged. Few of the neighbours had the courage to go and shake him +by the hand. There was that in the old man's heartbroken, hopeless air +which inspired awe. Those who did venture to address him received no +response to their words, only a vacant, scarce-conscious gaze. + +At last the auctioneer, touched by the old man's helpless, dazed +condition, offered to lock up the house and take him round to the +cottage now his home. But David would not have it so. + +"Nay, nay," he said; "I'm not ready yet. I'll lock the door by-and-by. +But first I must bide here a while by myself. I shall never cross the +threshold of my old house again." + +So they left him. But as the evening wore on, his wife, who had not had +the heart to show her face to the neighbours that day, but had busied +herself with trying to make the little cottage look home-like, grew +anxious, and went in search of him. + +The sun had set, and it was twilight as she passed up the well-worn +garden path. She could see the form of her husband seated beneath the +porch about which the roses bloomed so plenteously in the summer. She +went up to him and laid her hand upon his arm. + +"Come, David," she said, striving to speak cheerfully; "come away now. +It's of no use to sit in the gloom and fret. Come away, and let us pray +God to have mercy on our poor lost lad." + +But another voice had called David Grant away, and he would never +respond to words of hers again. The desire of his heart was not +disappointed. He had breathed his last in the old home of his family. + + +When the funeral was over and David Grant had been laid to rest with +others of his name in the old churchyard at Ashworth, the widow sent +for Reuben Roy. He obeyed the summons promptly, wondering what she +could want with him. He found her quite calm; indeed, the way she was +bearing up under her heavy sorrows was a marvel to every one. But the +face she raised as Reuben entered the cottage seemed to him only the +more mournful because it showed no trace of tears. + +"Sit down, Reuben," she said gently; "I want to have a few words with +you." + +Reuben sat down. + +She did not speak for some moments, and he had time to observe that on +the table lay several things which he recognised as belonging to Owen. +Amongst them was the handsome Bible which Owen had received as a prize +in the Ashworth Sunday-school. How vividly the sight of it recalled to +Reuben's mind the day when Owen had received it, and Mr. Howe's parting +words to the scholars whom he loved! Poor Owen! If only he had heeded +those words! As he thought of Owen's cleverness and the high opinion +Mr. Howe and his teacher had formed of him, and the proud hopes for his +future cherished by his fond parents, Reuben felt a choking sensation, +and it was only by a strong effort that he could keep the tears from +rising in his eyes. + +"You are looking at that Bible," said Mrs. Grant, in low, quavering +tones; "they have sent it to me with other things that Owen left behind +at the place of business. Ah, my poor lad! If he had but made that +Book his guide! And we were proud to think how well he knew it! But it +was only head knowledge, and that will not save any one. There was our +mistake. Ah, poor lad! It were better he had not been so clever." + +"He'll come to himself some day, Mrs. Grant," said Reuben. "I can't +help thinking he'll come to himself some day, like the Prodigal Son, +and turn his face homeward." + +"God grant he may," she said fervently. "Reuben, I've sent for you +because you and Owen were boys together, and I believe you'd have been +a good friend to him if he had been willing. God only knows where my +boy is now. Sometimes I think he has gone a long way off; sometimes +I fancy he may be still in Birmingham. I've had thoughts of going in +search of him, for I've little heart to live on at Ashworth by myself +now everything is changed. But as like as not I should miss him if I +did that, so I think I had better bide here till he comes, as I pray +God he may." + +"I am sure that will be best," said Reuben earnestly. "You must not go +away." + +"Oh, as for that, all places are alike to me now. But, Reuben, I want +you to promise me that if you come across my lad in town, as maybe you +will, you will speak kindly to him, and tell him that his mother is +here, waiting for him and longing for him to come. Send him home to me +if you can, Reuben Roy." + +"Ay, that I will," said Reuben; and having given this promise, he took +his leave of her. + +[Illustration] + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER XI. + +A CHANGE FOR KATE. + +REUBEN ROY went back to his work in Birmingham looking "like himself," +as his mother fondly said. With fresh hopes and a renewed determination +to acquit himself well, he presented himself the next morning at the +works. The hearty greeting and warm congratulations he received from +old Samuel were but a sample of what awaited him from most of the +"hands." Those who had looked coldly and even scornfully on him in the +time of his trouble were now anxious to atone for their mistake. + +Reuben was touched by the kind words which reached him from all sides, +and the universal pleasure which his return with restored character +seemed to give. But his satisfaction was still greater when Mr. +Akenside told him that he was not to return to his former work, but +was in future to fill a post at the works which involved considerable +responsibility. + +"It has never before been given to one so young as yourself," the +master said. "But I know that I can trust 'you,' Reuben Roy." + + +It was too late when he left the works that evening to go to the +hospital. But the next day being Saturday, Reuben availed himself of +his leisure in the afternoon to visit Kate Barnaby. He was very anxious +to see her, for his mother had entrusted him with a message for the +poor girl, which he believed would give her pleasure. + +He found that Kate had made great advances during his absence. She had +left her bed, and was sitting in a pleasant room adjoining the ward +with some other convalescents, to whom she was chatting with somewhat +of her old brightness. But the change of position and dress only made +more apparent the traces of suffering. Kate looked weak and worn. The +scars on her neck showed plainly, and her head seemed slightly drawn on +one side by them. But she told Reuben with a wistful look that she was +now almost well, and was to leave the hospital early in the following +week. + +"Have you thought where you will go?" he asked. + +She shook her head. "To the old place, I suppose. P'raps you'd be so +kind, Reuben, as to speak to the foreman about my coming back to the +works." + +"You'll not be fit for work yet, Kate." + +"I 'must' be fit soon," she said impatiently; "though, thanks to Mr. +Akenside, I need not trouble about it at once." + +"How would you like to go and stay with my mother at Ashworth, Kate?" + +"Oh, Reuben," she said, drawing a deep breath, "how I would like it! I +haven't seen the country for ever so long. And I've never spent more +than a day in the country at a time. But what can make you say such a +thing?" + +"It's my mother's own thought, Kate. She told me to ask you if you +would like to come to her for a bit." + +"How good of her! Oh, I should like it. But, Reuben, there are so many +of you at home, and your mother's always so busy. I should be a trouble +to her, I'm afraid." + +"You don't know my mother if you say that. She never makes a trouble of +anything. She gets through more in a day than most women, I'll be bold +to say, and yet she never seems cross or driven. I think it is because +she has a knack of taking hold of things by the smooth handle." + +"She must be a good woman," said Kate thoughtfully. "But, Reuben, I +don't know about going. You've made the best of me to your mother, I +guess. But when she sees the kind of girl I am, she'll not like me. You +see, I never had no chance of being different." + +"Maybe this is your chance, Kate." + +"Ay, I've thought of that. Do you know, Reuben, I've prayed God many a +time since I've been ill to help me to be different when I got about +again." + +"Then this is the answer to your prayer. Mother 'll help you. She'll +love you, Kate." + +"Love me!" repeated the girl incredulously. "I like that. If she's the +kind of woman I take her to be, she's more likely to look down on me, I +should think." + +"Well, she's not that kind of woman, anyway. And you said just now that +she was a good woman, Kate." + +"But don't the good people always look down on the bad? I should, I +know, if I were good." + +"You wouldn't be good if you felt so. And, indeed, no one is good, if +you come to that. No one ever was good save Jesus Christ. But some +of us are trying to follow in His steps, and to be good and true and +loving as He was." + +"And didn't He look down upon wicked people?" + +"Oh no, Kate. You know better than that. Don't you remember how kind +and good He was to many a poor outcast—how He forgave them and helped +them to become better? Why, that was one of the things that made the +Scribes and Pharisees so angry with Him. 'This Man receiveth sinners,' +they said." + +"All religious folk are not like that," said Kate. "I've known them +that 'd shrink away from me as though I was something poisonous." + +"Then they did not show the spirit of Christ," said Reuben. "A +Christian is one who calls Jesus Christ his Master, and is bound to +obey Him. Now one of the chief commands of Jesus to His servants is +that they should love others." + +"You do that," said Kate, "and I suppose your mother's like you. I +thank her kindly, Reuben, and I'll go if she's sure she can do with me. +Maybe I'll get religion whilst I'm there." + +"I hope you'll learn to know Him whom to know is life everlasting," +said Reuben, reverently; "that is the only true religion, Kate." + +A few days later Reuben had the pleasure of seeing Kate off by rail for +Ashworth. + +With mingled hopes and fears, the girl set out to begin what was to be +for her in deepest verity a new life. + +[Illustration] + + + +[Illustration] + +CHAPTER XII. + +A RETURN. + +WE must pass over five years of Reuben Roy's life—years marked by +steady toil and earnest purpose. The toil was not unrewarded, nor the +purpose vain. It is by no means the rule in this life that merit meets +with its just recompense. There are good men and true, who toil all +their lives with unwearying industry, and yet, and apparently through +no fault of their own, never win more than a bare subsistence. And +there are cunning, base, guileful souls who by crooked ways seem with +ease to gain success. + +It is not by its outward results that the worth of a man's life can +be estimated. Yet the Divine justice will not fail. God will surely +crown the victor who, fighting the good fight of faith, overcomes the +world and its manifold temptations, though it may be that in this life +his brows will wear no crown save such as his Master wore—a crown of +thorns. Yet is it better to share the shame and want and suffering of +the Son of man, than the triumph of those who gain the whole world, it +may be at the cost of the life that is life indeed. + +But with Reuben Roy it was otherwise. He had not to withstand the +temptations of failure and poverty, but those that attend success. His +fellow-workers wondered to see how quickly he rose from one responsible +position to another. Some few grumbled and sneered, and various +attempts were made to explain the marvel, none perhaps perceiving that +with Reuben, as with Joseph of old, the "Lord was with him, and made +all that he did to prosper." Grand secret of a blessed life, whether or +not it be crowned with outward prosperity! + + +The years had passed happily with others besides Reuben Roy. They were +the happiest years Kate Barnaby had ever known, for she had spent them +all at peaceful, pretty Ashworth. To such a length had the projected +visit of a week or two been spun out! + +Kate was now like one of the family at Reuben's home, for his mother +had not failed to make good his promise that she would love the poor +friendless, ill-trained girl, who appealed so powerfully to her +motherly sympathies. And Kate, rather to the astonishment of the good +country-woman, had proved so eager to learn, and so quick to imitate +her "ways," that it was quite a pleasure to Mrs. Roy to initiate her +into the mysteries of household management. Kate developed such skill +in the laundry work that Mrs. Roy felt that it would be no charity, but +a positive gain to herself, if she could persuade Kate to share her +home and her toil for the future. + +The offered home was gladly accepted by the girl. She felt strongly +drawn to the happy home life, which was so far removed from all her +former experience. The children took to her, and she to them. An +atmosphere of love seemed to pervade the cottage home. The fair scenes, +the sweet calm of rural life, delighted her. No one would have expected +that the charms of quiet, perhaps sleepy, Ashworth could have long +attracted a rough factory girl, accustomed to the noisy bustling life +of town. But again the unexpected happened. Kate made her decision +without the least hesitation, and it was one she never regretted. + +Reuben was surprised at the change he discerned in Kate at each visit +he made to his home. The girl was rapidly losing her rough, coarse +ways. Her movements, her look, her voice, were all more gentle than +they had been. She had abandoned the frizzled, untidy mop in which she +had delighted, and wore her hair brushed smoothly from her forehead, a +change which Reuben thought a wonderful improvement to her appearance. + +The fresh pure air was making her strong, and the hue of health glowed +in her cheek. A womanly comeliness distinguished her now which she +had lacked before. But her bright and kind expression was her chief +attraction, and the secret of that Reuben knew. For Kate had "got +religion," or, in other words, she had heard the Saviour's "Come unto +Me," and was learning of the meek and lowly One. + + +David Grant's old house had stood empty ever since his death. It had +been bought with the land, but the purchaser did not wish to live +there, and he could not let it. There was talk of its being pulled +down and a modern house erected on the spot. But after five years had +passed, it still stood there. + +It had not lost its picturesque appearance. The ivy hung in thick +clusters from its walls; the untrained clematis festooned the old +porch, strangling the branches of the rose tree; but the garden was a +wilderness, and a nearer inspection of the house showed it to be sadly +dilapidated. Nothing had been done to secure it from the ravages of +time, and it was now little better than a ruin, a melancholy symbol +of the desolation sin had brought upon the home life once so full of +gladness. + +Mrs. Grant still dwelt in the tiny cottage to which she had removed. +From year to year she grew more feeble and infirm, till it seemed as if +only the constant hope of her son's return kept her in life. But it was +a hope long deferred. Reuben Roy never failed to visit the old woman +when he came to Ashworth, but he grew to dread meeting the wistful, +longing gaze which he was unable to satisfy. For he could bring her +no tidings of Owen. Reuben was ever on the watch for him, but without +result. Owen had taken himself out of the way of all his old associates. + + +A time came when Reuben was sent to London to transact some business +for Mr. Akenside. He was pleased to go. It was a fresh proof of the +confidence his master reposed in him, and he was glad to know that he +was so trusted. Besides, he had never before been in London, and he +had a young man's eager curiosity to see the great city. His business +transacted, he had leisure for sight-seeing. + +It was late autumn, and the nights were raw and cold. As he was +crossing one of the bridges late in the evening on his return to his +lodging, Reuben was struck by the forlorn appearance of a man who stood +leaning over the parapet, gazing with an air of melancholy fascination +at the dark river below. He looked so gaunt and haggard, his attitude +was so hopeless, his clothes so shabby, whilst yet there was a certain +air of respectability about him, that Reuben, having passed him, halted +and looked back. + +"Some poor fellow," he thought, "in the grasp of despair. Is he +tempted, I wonder, to end his misery by a plunge in the river?" + +As he watched him, the idea that the man harboured such an intention +took possession of Reuben's mind so forcibly that he felt it impossible +to pass on and leave him to his fate. + +"At least I will speak to him," he said to himself, "and see if I can +do anything. He shall not perish for want of a helping hand if it is in +my power to aid him." + +He turned back. The bridge was almost deserted at that hour. The man +suddenly raised his head, and looked furtively round, then, seeing +Reuben, he slunk back into his former attitude. + +That instant's glance caused Reuben a shock of surprise. Could it be, +or was he deceived by a fancied resemblance? He strode forward and +grasped the man by the arm. + +He started violently and turned upon Reuben a frightened face. + +"Owen Grant!" + +"Reuben Roy!" + +For a few moments each gazed at the other ere another word was said. +Then Owen tried to wrench himself from Reuben's grasp. + +"Let me go, Reuben Roy. Leave me to myself. I have nothing to do with +you now." + +"But I have with you." Reuben's tone was kind, but firm. "Owen, we were +friends as boys, and you must let me be your friend now. Tell me, where +are you going to sleep to-night?" + +"Sleep? I? Anywhere, nowhere; there, perhaps." He pointed to the dark, +shining surface of the water flowing beneath the bridge. + +"You must share my room to-night, and to-morrow I will take you home to +your mother." + +"Home! To Ashworth!" his voice rose almost to a scream. "Never! I would +rather die than face the old people." + +"You can never again face your father in this life, Owen, and your +mother lives only in the hope of seeing you," said Reuben gravely. + +The news of his father's death quieted Owen. He struggled no more, but +suffered Reuben to lead him where he would. + +And on the following day, after long, earnest talk, he accompanied +Reuben back to Birmingham. + +Reuben had many sad thoughts as he watched him, and mentally contrasted +him with the gay, smart young fellow who had left Ashworth some years +ago to seek his fortune in town. Owen had now a crushed, hopeless air, +a furtive, shrinking gaze which told of inward shame; he looked many +years older than he was, and all his buoyancy and brightness were gone. + +Reuben had far more hope for him than he had for himself. It was +difficult to persuade him that there was yet a chance for him in +life, a chance of regaining self-respect and the esteem of others, a +chance—nay, more than a chance, a blessed certainty—that a new life was +possible for him through faith in Christ Jesus. + +Owen said little as they sat together in the railway carriage. But once +he looked across at his friend, and said half bitterly,— + +"There is no need to ask the question, Reuben. You've done well for +yourself during these years, I can see." + +"Yes, I've got on better than I could have expected," said Reuben +simply; "I've much to be thankful for. But I had my trials at first, +though. Real temptations some of them were, too." + +"You're still at Akenside's works?" + +"Yes; I hope I may never serve another master. I'm very happy in my +life at Birmingham now." + +"You're not married?" + +"No, but I hope soon to be. I'm just arranging a little home of my +own," replied Reuben, his face breaking into a smile. + +"Ah! Is it one of the Ashworth girls?" + +"Not exactly; but she has lived with my mother at Ashworth for the last +five years." + +"Well, I hope you'll be happy," said Owen, not over cordially. + +Then a heavy sigh escaped him. He was thinking of his own youth, and +how superior his prospects had seemed to those of Reuben, who had +appeared dull and slow as a lad, and little likely to rise in the +world. His bitter experience was teaching Owen the truth, so often +forgotten, that we reap as we sow. + + +The next day, Owen yielded to Reuben's persuasions, and went on to +Ashworth. Reuben would fain have gone with him, but he could not spare +the time, work having accumulated for him during his absence. + +So Owen alighted alone at the little station, and passed up the village +street with a dreary sense that none of the old neighbours recognised +him, and that some were even regarding him with suspicion. Scarce +consciously, he took the familiar path across the fields to his old +home. He reached the gate. Some mischievous hand had torn it from its +hinges, and it lay back against the hedge. At a glance he saw all the +desolation which had come upon the spot once so fair—the grass-grown +path, the tall, flaunting weeds that were choking the few flowers that +yet remained, the rotten thatch, the broken windows of the old house. + +And he had caused it all! He had brought this ruin upon the home which +had been his father's pride! He had brought shame and sorrow upon his +father's grey hairs, and hurried him to his grave! The thought smote +him with a bitter pang. He leaned against the hedge, and a sob escaped +him. + +The next moment a hand was laid upon his arm, and a voice said in +tender, broken accents,— + +"My son! My own dear son come back to me again!" + +It was his mother. She stood beside him, a woman prematurely aged, +leaning upon a stick, but her wan, worn features radiant with joy. + +"Thank God you are come!" she said again—for he could not speak—whilst +she clasped him about the neck and kissed him with a mother's fervent +love. + +"Yes, I've come," he said brokenly at last; "but—it is too late." + +"Nay, lad," she said, the tears rolling down her cheeks, "it is never +too late with God. By His grace, you'll win back your good name yet. +And the money's paid, every penny of it. Your father would have it so +before he died. But now, come home." + +Thank God, there is ever an open door for the returning sinner. Thank +God for Him who has paid the debt we have incurred through sin, and +through faith in whom alone, by the influence of His Spirit, our souls +can be set free from the crushing load of guilt. + + + +[Illustration: THE END.] + + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76282 *** diff --git a/76282-h/76282-h.htm b/76282-h/76282-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..acd6638 --- /dev/null +++ b/76282-h/76282-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3068 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Reuben Roy's Temptations, by Eglanton Thorne │ Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/image001.jpg" type="image/cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size:12.0pt; + font-family:"Verdana"; +} + +p {text-indent: 2em;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} + +.w100 { + width: auto + } + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +p.t1 {text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 125%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t2 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t3 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t3b { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center + } + +p.t4 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center + } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 90%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76282 ***</div> + +<p>Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image001" style="max-width: 33.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image001.jpg" alt="image001"> +</figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image002" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image002.jpg" alt="image002"> +</figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>"BE QUIET! OR I'LL BEAT YE INTO A JELLY!"</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h1>REUBEN ROY'S <br> +<br> + TEMPTATIONS<br> +</h1> + +<p><br></p> + +<p class="t3"> +BY<br> +</p> + +<p class="t1"> +EGLANTON THORNE<br> +</p> + +<p class="t4"> +<em>Author of "The Fishermen's Hero," "Nathan Quilter's Fall," etc.</em><br> +</p> + +<p><br><br></p> + +<p class="t3"> +London<br> +<br> +THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY<br> +</p> + +<p class="t4"> +56 PATERNOSTER ROW; 65 ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD;<br> +<br> +AND 164 PICCADILLY.<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t4"> +BUTLER & TANNER<br> +THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS<br> +FROME, AND LONDON.<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t3b"> +CONTENTS.<br> +<br> +————<br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>CHAP.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_1">I. REUBEN WINS RENOWN</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_2">II. PARTINGS</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_3">III. THE WAYS OF TOWN</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_4">IV. AN ENEMY</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_5">V. REUBEN SEES MORE OF OWEN GRANT</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_6">VI. REUBEN HAS THRILLING EXPERIENCES</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_7">VII. REUBEN'S STORY IS DISCREDITED</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_8">VIII. A TIME OF TRIAL</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_9">IX. THE CLOUD IS LIFTED</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_10">X. A SON THAT CAUSETH SHAME</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_11">XI. A CHANGE FOR KATE</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_12">XII. A RETURN</a></p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image003" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image003.jpg" alt="image003"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<p class="t2"> +<b>REUBEN ROY'S TEMPTATIONS.</b><br> +<br> +</p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image004" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image004.jpg" alt="image004"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_1">CHAPTER I.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>REUBEN WINS RENOWN.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>THE dwelling which Reuben Roy called his home was neither picturesque +nor commodious. It was a small whitewashed cottage, boasting but four +rooms, which always seemed full of children and of clothes, in a wet or +dry condition as the case might be, for Reuben's mother was a laundress +and worked very hard to help her husband maintain their numerous family.</p> + +<p>There was a piece of garden ground in front, but it was very untidy, +for no one had time to give it any attention, save the little ones and +they were not good gardeners. Yet flowers flourished there somehow in a +way of their own, though, as often as not, they were smothered beneath +pieces of wet linen laid out to bleach in the sun.</p> + +<p>There were few leisure moments in Reuben Roy's life. When he was not +working with his father in the fields, his mother kept him busy, +carrying baskets of linen to and fro, turning the mangle for her, or +perhaps helping with the little ones.</p> + +<p>And Reuben was a handy lad, although some persons thought him dull and +slow. If you had asked his mother about Reuben, she would have said, +"Eh, he's a good lad, is Reuben. Not so sharp with his tongue, nor so +quick at his books as his younger brother Robert, but a right good lad +for all that."</p> + +<p>Great quantities of strawberries were grown about Ashworth, and in the +spring and summer Reuben and his father were employed in the strawberry +fields. As the season advanced and the fruit ripened, there was plenty +to be done. Not only had the fruit to be guarded from birds and +insects, but watch had to be kept by night lest it should be carried +off by marauders of a larger growth.</p> + +<p>Reuben was not often out at night, but it happened once that hands were +slack, and the fruit-grower asked Reuben to watch during the night in a +small field, where some of the choicest of the fruit was just ready to +be gathered.</p> + +<p>Reuben did not look forward to his task as he took up his position in +the field when the gloom of night was beginning to gather over it. +His father was watching, too, in one of the fields, but too far off +to cause Reuben any sense of companionship. His mother had given him +a good warm plaid to wrap himself in, and there was a hole under the +hedge into which he could creep for shelter. But Reuben preferred to +keep moving about, and he walked up and down till he heard the church +clock strike the hour of midnight.</p> + +<p>He was just thinking that he would lie down for a bit, when he became +aware of subdued voices behind the hedge. Reuben turned cold and +trembled. He had a horrible foreboding of what awaited him, and did +not at all like the prospect of being attacked, perhaps murdered, by +desperate men. Then instantly there arose in his mind a recollection +of the words he had recently heard at Sunday-school. Mr. Howe, the +superintendent, was leaving the village, and in his farewell address +to the scholars, he had reminded them of the need of true courage and +prayerfulness in facing the difficulties and temptations of life. +And with the remembrance of the words, Reuben called to mind his own +resolve that he would be a man and not a coward.</p> + +<p>Ere another thought could cross his mind, three men mounted the hedge. +One leaped down close to where Reuben stood, and advanced to him.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Reuben Roy," he said, "I know you, whether or not you +knows me, and I'd have you understand that we'll do you no harm if +you leave us alone. We're only going to help ourselves to a gallon +or two of these strawberries, just enough to pay for our breakfast +to-morrow, that's all. Your master 'll never miss them, and you'll have +the satisfaction of knowin' that you've done a good turn to some poor +fellows that are down on their luck. What's that you're arter? Keep +quiet, I tell you, or it'll be the worse for you."</p> + +<p>But Reuben had already drawn from his pocket the whistle with which his +father had provided him, and he blew a shrill whistle ere it was struck +from his hand, and he sent rolling to the earth. He tried to rise, but +his assailant was upon him.</p> + +<p>"Be quiet," he muttered, "or I'll beat ye into a jelly."</p> + +<p>But Reuben struggled powerfully and shouted for help, in spite of his +enemy's endeavours to choke him into silence. It was well for the lad +that the other men took fright and dragged their comrade away.</p> + +<p>"It's no good fighting now," they said; "let's get away whilst we can. +Do you see that light yonder? The alarm has been taken. Come, there's +no time to lose."</p> + +<p>And they hurried away.</p> + +<p>Reuben's father and the other men came up a little later, and found +Reuben exhausted and shaken, but not seriously hurt. The thieves made +good their escape. Reuben could not identify them. He believed the man +who had attacked him to be a low, villainous tramp, who of late had +been hanging about the village, but he could not be sure. The thieves +had certainly shown little skill in their evil calling.</p> + +<p>The incident of that night made Reuben somewhat of a hero in the eyes +of the villagers. The owner of the fruit was pleased with him, and +praised his courage. Exaggerated reports of his prowess spread through +the village. It was said that he had knocked down the first robber who +approached him, and the others, affrighted, had instantly fled. Reuben +smiled when he heard these tales.</p> + +<p>"Far from knocking any one down, I got knocked down myself," he said. +"All I did was to whistle for father. It was not likely I should see +those rogues take Mr. Brown's fruit and hold my tongue. I was bound to +raise an alarm."</p> + +<p>"You got knocked about for it, though."</p> + +<p>"Well, yes; I got a few blows, but what of that? The fellow did not +kill me, though I thought he meant to."</p> + +<p>Reuben's midnight adventure was, however, destined to exert a +considerable influence on his fortunes. It drew to him the attention of +a gentleman who had taken a house at Ashworth for the summer.</p> + +<p>This gentleman was the chief partner of a firm of metal-workers in +Birmingham. He became interested in the lad, and would sometimes stop +to speak to him when they met in the roads. He thought he discerned +good intelligence and certain sturdy sterling qualities beneath the +lad's quiet, somewhat uninteresting exterior. He questioned him +concerning his occupation, and found that it was not entirely to +Reuben's mind.</p> + +<p>He could have desired something better than to be a field labourer +all his days, but he saw no other prospect before him. He was greatly +surprised when the gentleman offered him a place in his factory—a +humble place, it is true, but with a higher wage than he was earning at +Ashworth.</p> + +<p>"Of course it means leaving home," Mr. Akenside said; "you'll have to +get a lodging near the works. Your parents won't like your going away, +perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Maybe not, sir. I don't know as my mother could spare me," Reuben +replied, "but I'll see. I'd like it well enough myself."</p> + +<p>Indeed, the thought of going to Birmingham thrilled him with a novel +excitement. Though Ashworth was but about twenty miles from Birmingham, +and Reuben was a lad of eighteen, he had never but once been to the +great city. He had not forgotten the day he spent there and his +wondering vision of the bustling streets, the great houses, the eager, +busy people everywhere. The idea of town life had its fascination for +him, as it had for Owen Grant, one of Reuben's fellow-scholars, who had +just left home to fill a situation in the great manufacturing centre.</p> + +<p>He had laughingly advised Reuben to follow him, and "see life a bit."</p> + +<p>Reuben was half-frightened, half-pleased at this chance of entering +upon such a life.</p> + +<p>"Well, talk it over with your parents," said Mr. Akenside, "and let me +know in a day or two what you decide."</p> + +<p>So Reuben hastened home, eager to tell his news. It created no little +excitement in the family circle. The matter was not one to be decided +in a moment. Reuben's parents discussed it gravely. His father saw +no reason why the lad should wish to change his lot. He was doing +well enough under Mr. Brown. Let him stay where he was, and let well +alone. By the accounts one heard, people did not always improve their +condition by moving off to town.</p> + +<p>But Reuben's mother judged differently. She was a shrewd, sensible +woman, and she loved her son with a wise, unselfish love. It seemed to +her that this was a chance for Reuben which it would be wrong to throw +away.</p> + +<p>"You see," she said to her husband, "it's not like going to town with +the mere hope of finding work. Here's a good master ready to engage +Reuben, and I doubt not, if the lad does well, he will rise in his +service. And then maybe he'll be able to help on his brothers and +sisters. He's our eldest, and we must do the best we can for him."</p> + +<p>"Ay, but what will you do without him, wife? You'll be sore set without +Reuben."</p> + +<p>"I shall miss the lad, no doubt, for he's a good lad, is Reuben. But +Robert is growing up now, and ought to be able to do as much for me. +It's for Reuben himself to decide, after all. But if he wants to go, +we'll not say him nay."</p> + +<p>Reuben was surprised, almost startled, at this ready consent; he +had not expected the way to be made so easy. But he was glad on the +whole, for of late he had begun to feel dissatisfied with his life at +Ashworth. He had little thought that he would so soon be able to take +Owen Grant's advice, and follow him to Birmingham.</p> + +<p>As he heard the lamentations of his young brothers and sisters, and the +regrets of the neighbours, and saw how much, though she made little ado +about it, his mother felt his going, it was with mingled feelings that +Reuben prepared for his departure. But he had scant time to think about +it, for Mr. Akenside wanted him immediately. Only two days after the +decision was made, Reuben started for Birmingham.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Owen Grant's home was a very different one to that of Reuben Roy. +A pleasant, old-fashioned garden, full of sweet-smelling flowers, +surrounded the house, which was very old, with a grey thatched roof, +darkened by moss, and latticed windows. Such a picturesque rural +dwelling, of genuine antiquity, is becoming rare in the England of +to-day.</p> + +<p>Owen's father had lived there all his days, and "his" father before +him. The house, with the garden ground about it, and the bit of meadow +beyond, was his own. Former generations of Grants had owned much land +at Ashworth; but the fortunes of the family had dwindled, and now all +that remained of their property was this small homestead.</p> + +<p>Small as it was, however, David Grant was proud of his home. He +would show to visitors with pride the old black-lettered Bible, the +fly-leaves of which recorded the births, marriages, and deaths of so +many departed Grants, and proved that the cottage had been the dwelling +of worthies of that name for more than three hundred years. His wife +would open a drawer of the old linen press and show a morsel of fine +linen, almost as old as the house, spun by the skilful fingers of some +good housewife of the race.</p> + +<p>The interior of the house showed many a mark of age, but it was +carefully kept. The oak flooring was skilfully repaired where it began +to fall in, the whitewash frequently renewed upon the walls, and the +thatch well mended. David would have done more to the place if he +could, but his means were very limited.</p> + +<p>He had great hopes, however, for the future. He believed that his +son—the clever, bright lad who was his only child and the joy and pride +of his life—would be sure to do well in the world, and preserve the old +place from ruin.</p> + +<p>It was rather disappointing that Owen showed so little interest or +pride in the old home. He would laughingly call it an old tumbledown +barn, and say that he would far rather live in one of the new +red-bricked houses that were being built at Ashworth. But this, and +other utterances of his which hurt his parents, they excused as the +outcome of the thoughtlessness of youth. When he was older, Owen would +be wiser, and would be sure to think as they did.</p> + +<p>Owen's father and mother had married late in life, after a faithful +courtship of more than twelve years and when David was already far +advanced in age. Their union had been a happy one, and the child that +crowned it was peculiarly dear to them. It was little to be wondered +at that they were more blind than most parents to the faults of their +darling, more prone to believe that no other could be compared with him.</p> + +<p>David Grant was a hale man yet, able to work in garden and field, +though his form, which had been unusually strong, was growing bent, and +his hair was white as snow. His wife was a cheery little woman, not +over strong, but with so much natural energy, that no one would have +suspected her of failing health.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image005" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image005.jpg" alt="image005"></figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image006" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image006.jpg" alt="image006"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_2">CHAPTER II.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>PARTINGS.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>ON the Sunday previous to Owen's departure for Birmingham, his mother's +face was paler than usual, and her voice less blithe. It was a sore +trial to her that on the morrow she must part with her darling son—must +send him, young and untried, to face alone the perils of a great city.</p> + +<p>Her husband had accused her of "fretting about Owen," and she had +denied the charge. But, for all that, he knew her heart was full of +sorrow and anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Here he is," she said quickly, as Owen's foot was heard on the field +path, and they moved to the gate to welcome him.</p> + +<p>"Well, lad!" said his father. "And how did the prize-giving go off? Who +had the prizes?"</p> + +<p>"I came in for one," said Owen, his face bright with satisfaction as he +placed the Bible he had gained in his father's hands. "I know you will +be pleased, father. It's the prize for Scripture knowledge."</p> + +<p>"Eh, that's good!" said David, with a beaming glance. "Your mother was +right, after all. She would have it that you'd bring home a prize."</p> + +<p>And then the parents looked at each other with eyes that said plainly, +"Was there ever such a lad as ours?"</p> + +<p>"I am glad they gave you a Bible," said his mother; "it will be such a +nice one to take away with you. Such a beautiful cover it has!"</p> + +<p>"Ay, it's well bound," said his father, "but I doubt it 'll not last +so long as that old Bible of ours indoors. They don't make such books +nowadays."</p> + +<p>"I don't want it to last for ever," said Owen carelessly. "I'll have +another when I am married—a big family Bible."</p> + +<p>"You'll have our own family Bible," said his father, almost +reproachfully. "You will never want another while that lasts. Now come +inside. I am going to write in the old Bible how you won this prize +at Ashworth Sunday-school on the last Sunday you spent at home before +going to town to learn business."</p> + +<p>Owen made a comical grimace behind his father's back. He thought +his father rather crazed about the old Bible, but he followed him +into their common living-room, a long low apartment, with heavy +beams overhead, and a broad latticed window with a deep cushioned +seat beneath it. Owen fetched pen and ink and stood dutifully by his +father's side, ready to assist in any spelling difficulties. Whilst the +old man, slowly and laboriously, for he was no ready writer, entered in +the old volume the fact he desired to record.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to enter my name here some day, my lad," he said, when he +had finished, "mine and your mother's too; but she'll outlive me many +years, belike."</p> + +<p>"I hope not, David," she said softly.</p> + +<p>"Eh, why not?" returned her husband. "You'll have your son to lean upon +then."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would not talk that way, father," said Owen uneasily; "just +as I am going away, too! I am sure I hope it will be long enough ere +any more entries are made in this book." He closed it as he spoke, and +carried it back to its place on the side-table.</p> + +<p>"Read us a chapter from your own Bible, lad," said his mother from the +chimney corner; "the kettle won't boil for another ten minutes."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Owen carelessly.</p> + +<p>"What shall I read?"</p> + +<p>His father named Psalm 103. Owen was a good reader, and he read the +grand old words in a clear, expressive manner.</p> + +<p>"'Like as a father pitieth his children,'" repeated the old man slowly +when he had ended. "My son, you'll not forget your father's God when +you're away in that great city?"</p> + +<p>"All right, father," replied Owen hastily.</p> + +<p>And no more was said.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>At an early hour the next morning Owen left his parents' roof. The +station was more than a mile distant, and they did not accompany him +thither. Various home duties claimed their attention, and they were +people who set duty before everything else.</p> + +<p>Owen shouldered the trunk in which his mother had packed his best suit, +the garments she had made, and the socks she had knitted for him, +not forgetting to find a place for his new Bible, and marched off in +brave spirits. But his voice had quavered a little as he bade the "old +people" good-bye.</p> + +<p>After all, there was pain in severing himself from those who loved him +so dearly.</p> + +<p>As for his mother, she broke down, and sobbed when he had gone. "Oh, I +wish we had not let him go," she cried. "Why could we not keep him with +us?—Our only child."</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, that would not do," said her husband; "we could not keep a +lad of his talents working in the fields here. It would not be right."</p> + +<p>"I suppose not," she said, with a sigh. And for the moment, she was +tempted to wish that her son was less clever, that he had been a slow, +quiet lad like Reuben Roy, so that she might have kept him by her side.</p> + +<p>"It's the best thing possible for the lad," said David Grant, speaking +perhaps as much to convince himself as his wife, "to get a post in that +great business house. It's but the lowest rung of the ladder, to be +sure. But he'll rise, for he's a smart lad. You'll be mighty proud of +him, I daresay, in a few years' time."</p> + +<p>"But he's young," said his mother anxiously, "and there are so many +temptations in a great city. If he should go wrong, David?"</p> + +<p>"He'll not go wrong," said his father confidently; "our lad will not go +wrong. Don't you go worrying yourself without cause."</p> + +<p>"I'll not," she said, brightening up; "as you say, our lad is not like +other lads. We can trust him; he'll keep right."</p> + +<p>Ah, poor, fond, trustful parents! And yet blessed is every heart that +cherishes the love that "believeth all things, hopeth all things," for +such love tends towards the realisation of its own prophecies.</p> + +<p>Owen Grant found quite a party of friends at the station, for Mr. Howe +and his family were leaving by this train, and many persons had come to +see them off. Reuben Roy had been sent with a parcel to the station, +and he waited to see the last of his old superintendent, though he was +too shy to go forward and bid him "good-bye" again.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, Reu, you here! Have you come to see me off, old chap?" cried +Owen.</p> + +<p>"Why, no," said Reuben candidly. "I brought up a parcel for Mr. Brown, +and I was waiting to see Mr. Howe start. I forgot you were going by +this train."</p> + +<p>Owen looked surprised. "I told you yesterday," he observed. "I say, +Reu," he exclaimed the next moment as he examined the money in his +hand, "that stupid fellow in the booking office has given me too much +change. The fare was one-and-nine; I gave him half a crown, and he has +given me back a shilling. What an idiot!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was a mistake, of course," said Reuben; "you know he is new to +the place, and has not got used to his work. You'll have time to run +and set it right,—the train's not up yet."</p> + +<p>"Bless you! I shall not trouble myself about it," said Owen, coolly +putting the money in his pocket; "if he likes to make me a present of +threepence, he is welcome to do so."</p> + +<p>"But, Owen, you know he did not mean to give it to you, and he will +have to make it good out of his own pocket. You can't mean to take +advantage of his mistake?"</p> + +<p>"I do mean it. He should keep a sharper look out. It will be a lesson +for him."</p> + +<p>"And you will do a dishonest thing. It's worse for you, after all."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean? I did not steal the money."</p> + +<p>"No, but if you keep it, when you know it is not yours, it is pretty +much the same thing, I think," replied Reuben.</p> + +<p>At that moment Mr. Howe caught sight of the boys, and came down the +platform to speak to them.</p> + +<p>"So you're leaving by this train, Owen," he said, as he shook hands +with him, "and Reuben has come to see you off. That's right. But I must +not stay. Good-bye to you both."</p> + +<p>And he hurried away as the train came up.</p> + +<p>Owen, too, moved off quickly to secure a seat. He leaned out of the +carriage window to advise Reuben to make haste and follow him to town +that he might get "smartened up a bit."</p> + +<p>Then the train moved on, and as it passed out of the station, Reuben +caught one last glimpse of Mr. Howe.</p> + +<p>He went off to his day's work feeling heavy-hearted. He had lost +a friend in Mr. Howe. He was sure there could never be another +superintendent so good. And Owen, too, he would miss, but he was not +altogether sorry that he had gone away. It was a slight shock to Reuben +to discover how lax were Owen's notions of honesty. And only yesterday +he had appeared as one of the best scholars in the Sunday-school! What +would Mr. Howe think if he knew how Owen had kept the threepence, +Reuben wondered.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image007" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image007.jpg" alt="image007"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_3">CHAPTER III.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>THE WAYS OF TOWN.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>ABOUT a fortnight after Owen's departure, Reuben followed him to +Birmingham.</p> + +<p>The smoky atmosphere, the dingy, dusty streets were a poor exchange in +the warm summer days for the fresh air and rural beauty of Ashworth. +For a little while the bustle and stir of the town had the charm of +novelty for Reuben. But the excitement of the change was soon over, and +in the midst of crowds of workers of all descriptions Reuben's heart +sickened with a dreary sense of loneliness. He would scan the faces +of those he passed as he went along the streets, but every one was a +stranger to him, and there was no friendliness in the glances he met.</p> + +<p>There were hundreds of hands employed in the great human hive in +which Reuben worked, but for some time he did not enter into friendly +relations with any of them. Reuben was a shy, countrified lad, blunt +of speech, and awkward in his bearing, and such notice as he received +was not of a flattering nature. The sharper town lads found much to +ridicule in him, and amused themselves at his expense by playing +off on him various practical jokes, some of which were positively +cruel. Reuben bore them with a stolid patience that appeared like +indifference, but in truth, he felt them keenly, and they increased the +sore home-sickness, which was becoming almost more than he could bear.</p> + +<p>His work, too, was a disappointment to him. At present he was learning +nothing, but was merely employed as a messenger to carry orders to +the various workshops, and be at the beck and call of every one in +authority. It was no easy post, however. The hours, from eight in the +morning till eight at night, seemed to him very long, and he often felt +far more weary when his day's work was done than he had ever felt after +a day spent in the fields.</p> + +<p>But Reuben held on bravely in spite of every discouragement, for a +brave heart had Reuben Roy, and he was no stupid, though he might seem +slow. It is what we think and feel in the secret chamber of our souls +that determines what our lives are. Right thinking leads to right +doing. Our actions are never really better than our thoughts. They may +have a fair appearance, like the righteousness on which the Pharisees +prided themselves, but it is the motive that gives every action its +value in the sight of God, and sooner or later the insincere act will +reveal itself as such to the eyes of men.</p> + +<p>Now Reuben's thoughts were good and true, and he had that fear of God +which, it has been well said, "expels all other fear." He had not +forgotten the words that had impressed him as he listened to Mr. Howe's +farewell address, nor his resolve that he would be strong and of a good +courage in the battle of life.</p> + +<p>That resolve was being well tested in these days. There were times when +he felt as if he must throw up his new employment, and go back to the +old life at Ashworth, which now seemed so dear.</p> + +<p>He was feeling thus one warm August evening, when he had come away from +his work too tired even to take a stroll through the streets. The room +he hired, and for which he had to pay a considerable proportion of +his weekly wage, was a very small one at the top of a house in which +several of the factory hands lodged. From its tiny window nothing was +to be seen but an expanse of roofs and chimney-pots.</p> + +<p>How weary Reuben felt of the dull outlook—the smoke and griminess +visible everywhere! The day had been a hard one with him. The lads at +the factory had been most provoking; they had contrived to get him +blamed for what was in no way his fault. He had borne the undeserved +rebuke without a word—he would not be so mean as to tell of the others. +But his spirit smarted under a sense of injury and injustice.</p> + +<p>And now he felt that the difficulties of position were more than could +be borne. He longed to return to Ashworth.</p> + +<p>Why should he not? It would be throwing away his chance; it would +disappoint his mother's hopes; but would she wish him to stay on if she +knew how wretched he was? Surely not!</p> + +<p>Reuben's meditations had reached this point when, rather to his +surprise—for he never had visitors—some one knocked at his door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," he said.</p> + +<p>The door was opened a few inches, and a shock-headed girl looked in to +say,—</p> + +<p>"Reuben Roy, I've brought ye these flowers. You're from the country, so +maybe you'll like them. A lady brought a lot of bunches into our room +this afternoon, and she gave me two, so here's one for you."</p> + +<p>She threw him the bunch, and was gone almost before he could say "Thank +you."</p> + +<p>There were only a few flowers—a rose or two, a "sweet-william," some +pinks, and a bit of "lad's love,"—but how sweet they seemed to Reuben! +How they brought the old untidy piece of garden at home before his +eyes! How they sharpened to almost painful intensity his longing to +return to Ashworth! Never, surely, were flowers more welcome. Reuben's +eyes grew moist as he sniffed their perfume; his breast heaved with a +sob of which he had no cause to feel ashamed.</p> + +<p>The next minute he saw that a small ornamental card was attached to +the bunch. It was one sent out by a flower mission, and on the card, +clearly printed in gold letters, were the words, "There hath no +temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, +who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will +with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to +endure it." ¹</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<br> +¹ 1 Cor. x. 13<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>Reuben read the words with a thrill of pleasant surprise. Was it sent +to remind him that his difficulties, his trials should not be greater +than he could bear, and that God, the faithful God, would help him to +endure, if he would trust in Him? It seemed so, and with the thought +new courage came to Reuben Roy. Certainly, the little bunch of flowers, +with its encouraging message, opened a way of escape from the gloomy +despondency that had possessed him.</p> + +<p>He began to wonder what had made the girl give him the flowers. He knew +little of her, save that she lodged in the house and worked in the +same factory as he did. She seemed a high-spirited, noisy, mischievous +girl, a favourite with her companions, but one who often had to be +reprimanded by the overseer.</p> + +<p>She must be good-natured, he thought. Had she guessed that he was +feeling lonely and home-sick, and needed something to cheer him? Well, +it was good of her. It made him feel that he had a friend at hand, and +Reuben whistled cheerily as he found a mug and placed his flowers in +water.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>As yet, Reuben had not seen Owen Grant. In his ignorance of the extent +of the great city, he had imagined that he would be sure to meet Owen +soon after arriving in Birmingham, and he had not thought to ask old +David Grant where Owen might be found. But since Owen was employed in +one of the large shops in New Street, whilst Reuben's work was in a +remote manufacturing district, it was not surprising that they did not +meet.</p> + +<p>One Sunday, however, when Reuben had been many weeks in Birmingham, he +was suddenly brought face to face with Owen Grant in the street. It +was about eleven o'clock in the morning, and Reuben was on his way to +church.</p> + +<p>Owen obviously had no intention of attending public worship. He was +standing, with several youths of his own age, outside a public-house, +before which a large drag drawn by four horses was stationed. Reuben +had to look twice to be sure that it was Owen, for the lad's appearance +had changed considerably during the months which had passed since he +left Ashworth.</p> + +<p>He was dressed in a plaid suit, of rather a conspicuous pattern; he +had a bright red tie adorned by a showy pin, a pipe was between his +lips, and he flourished a smart little cane. He was talking gaily. The +air of importance he had always worn was more marked than formerly. He +evidently considered himself the chief person in the party, and his +companions were willing that he should take the lead. He started as +Reuben eagerly, suddenly halted before him, saying eagerly,—</p> + +<p>"Owen! Is it you?"</p> + +<p>There was some reluctance in his manner, though Reuben did not perceive +it, as he responded to his greeting.</p> + +<p>"I rather think it is. But who would have thought of seeing you, old +fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Did you not know that I had to come to Birmingham?"</p> + +<p>"Well, now you mention it, I believe my mother did say something about +it in one of her letters. It is a good move on your part, old chap. +Don't you find town ever so much jollier than that stupid hole in the +country?"</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot say that I do," replied Reuben slowly. "I think the +country is ever so much nicer than the town. And if you mean that +Ashworth is a stupid hole, I am not of your mind."</p> + +<p>"He's mammy sick, poor boy," said one of Owen's companions, who stood +regarding Reuben with a quizzical air; "he wants to go home to his ma."</p> + +<p>The others all laughed.</p> + +<p>"If you like the country so much, you had better come with us," said +Owen, with rather a patronising air; "we are just off to spend the day +in the country."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you; I cannot do that," said Reuben.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do come, old fellow," returned Owen, "I am sure you will like it. +The fare is only two shillings there and back. And if the money's a +difficulty, I'll stand treat."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you; I cannot come," said Reuben. Then, with an effort, he +added, "I am going to church."</p> + +<p>The statement was received with a burst of laughter, as if it were +a grand joke, by all the party except Owen. He looked annoyed and +uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>"Going to church! Oh, my word! P'raps you'd like to go to church with +him, Grant."</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool, Reu," said Owen, drawing his friend aside; "these +fellows will only laugh at you if you talk about church. You can go +there any Sunday. But we are not likely to get another day like this in +a hurry. Do come."</p> + +<p>It was only for a moment that Reuben hesitated. He did not like to be +laughed at, nor called a fool; but it suddenly struck him that he would +be a fool indeed if he suffered himself to be drawn aside from doing +what he felt to be right by fear of the contempt of such fellows as +these.</p> + +<p>"Let them laugh," he said; "what do I care? Owen, you know I have +always been accustomed to go to church on Sunday, and so have you. Why +should we do differently now? What would your father and mother feel if +they knew how you were thinking of spending Sunday? Oh, Owen, don't do +it, for their sakes. Come with me. I am sure those fellows are not good +friends for you."</p> + +<p>Owen coloured and was silent. Reuben words were not without their +effect upon him. But a shout from one of the other lads counteracted it.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, there, Grant! It is time we were off. Don't let that saintly +chap carry you off to church."</p> + +<p>The feelings contending within Owen Grant gave place to a burst of +anger.</p> + +<p>"Be so good as to mind your own business, Reuben Roy. It does not +matter to you how I choose to spend Sunday. I am not a child now, tied +to my mother's apron strings. I am a man, and can please myself. It was +all very well to go to church and Sunday-school when I was at Ashworth, +but Ashworth ways won't do in Birmingham."</p> + +<p>"So much the worse for Birmingham," said Reuben, keeping his temper, +"for I think the Ashworth ways are best, Owen."</p> + +<p>With that he walked away, whilst the others clambered up on the drag. +Their ringing laughter followed him, and he caught the words "duffer," +"milk-sop," "sneak," and knew that these choice epithets were being +applied to himself.</p> + +<p>But Reuben did not much mind. Their words could not hurt him. He would +have been truly hurt had he sinned against his conscience by doing +that which he felt to be wrong. But he was sorry about Owen. He called +to mind the aged father and mother, who thought so much of their only +child. The high value they set on him, and the exalted notion their +fond affection had formed of his merits, had become quite a joke—a +perfectly good-humoured one, however—amongst the villagers of Ashworth. +Reuben sighed now at the recollection. How grieved the poor old people +would be if they knew!</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image008" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image008.jpg" alt="image008"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_4">CHAPTER IV.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>AN ENEMY.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>DAY after day sped by with little to mark its flight in the life of +Reuben Roy. And yet each left its impress, as each day surely does in +the life of every one. The days we count memorable do not necessarily +represent the most momentous hours of our history. Every day adds +something to the character we are building up; every day presents to +us, in some form or other, that choice between good and evil which +determines our true selves.</p> + +<p>There is no pause in the development of character. If our principles +are not daily being strengthened and purified, they are becoming +relaxed, impure, corrupt. Thus we need to pray daily, in the words +taught us by our Lord, that we might not be "led into,"—brought into +the power of—"temptation," but may be "delivered from evil."</p> + +<p>It rarely happened that Reuben saw Mr. Akenside, though that gentleman +was generally at the works. When they did chance to meet, he would +speak kindly to Reuben, and inquire if he had good news from Ashworth. +Reuben was under the control of the foreman of the department in which +he worked, and this man seemed from the first to take a dislike to the +lad, and to endeavour to make things as hard as possible for him.</p> + +<p>Nat Savage, as he was familiarly called by the "hands" when there +was no chance of his hearing them, had worked for the firm for many +years, and was thoroughly respected and trusted by his employers. He +was held in less favour by the workpeople, however. Smooth, sleek, +and subservient in his bearing towards his superiors, he was harsh +and unjust to those beneath him. Reuben found it almost impossible to +please him, and the dread of his coarse, unjust faultfinding added +to the troubles of the lad's lot. One day he sent for Reuben in the +dinner-hour.</p> + +<p>"Look here, my lad," he said, with a more good-natured air than he +often assumed towards him, "I am going to send you on an errand. I want +you to go to Aston for me."</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir," said Reuben. "Must I start at once?"</p> + +<p>"As soon as you have had your dinner. I shall give you a note to carry, +and you must wait and bring me back an answer."</p> + +<p>"That will take some time," said Reuben, "but I suppose I shall not +lose my pay."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. You tell the timekeeper that you are sent on business +for the firm, and he'll make it all right. But don't say anything about +the business; don't say I sent you, if you should meet one of the +masters, Reuben. If you are asked where you are going, say that you +felt ill, and I said you might go home."</p> + +<p>Reuben flushed hotly. He was silent for a few moments; then he said, "I +can't say that, sir."</p> + +<p>"Can't! What do you mean, you impudent young dog? What do you mean by +saying that you can't do what I tell you?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that I 'won't' do it," said Reuben bluntly. "I am not going to +tell lies to please any man."</p> + +<p>His words enraged the foreman. He broke into a storm of abuse, and +advanced with clenched fist as though he would strike Reuben. But +recollecting himself, he dropped his arm and turned away with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are one of the pious sort. You set up for being better +than any one else. I know the style. But I'd have you understand, we +don't want any psalm-singing hypocrites here. You can go; I can find +some one else to do my errand."</p> + +<p>Reuben went away feeling very unhappy. He had made a brave stand for +the right, but the circumstances were such as could yield him no glad +sense of victory. He had the approval of his conscience, but that +failed to overcome the sense of foreboding that oppressed him. There +could be no doubt that he had made an enemy of Mr. Savage. He had been +harsh enough before, but Reuben foresaw that in future, the foreman's +treatment of him would be marked by a special vindictiveness.</p> + +<p>And so it was. The feeling of Savage towards the lad who had dared +to oppose him now amounted to positive hatred, and he watched for +an opportunity of doing him an injury. He was anxious to get him +ousted from the works. He spoke disparagingly of him to Mr. Akenside, +intimating, with an air of regret, that the lad was so unruly and +impudent that he feared he should never be able to do anything with him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Akenside was surprised and disappointed. What he had seen of Reuben +Roy had given him a very different impression. But he reflected with a +sigh that one may very easily make a mistake in judging of character.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Reuben cared less about the harshness of Savage as Christmas +approached, and he could look forward to spending three whole days +at home. Kate, the girl who had given him the flowers, and with whom +ever since he had been on friendly terms, envied him as she marked his +bright look when he spoke of going home.</p> + +<p>"You've got a good mother, I reckon," she said to him one day, "or you +would not be so mighty pleased at going home."</p> + +<p>"Ay, my mother's a right good sort," said Reuben, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"And mine was a bad lot, but she's dead now, so I won't speak agin +her," said Kate quickly. "Maybe if I'd had a good mother, I'd have been +a different sort of girl. But what's the good of talking about it now? +Folks must take me as I am. And if they don't like me, it's all the +same to me."</p> + +<p>With that she began to sing, accompanying her song with a kind of wild +dance. Kate was never serious long. Indeed, this was the first time +Reuben had seen her display any kind of feeling.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>The train by which Reuben travelled to Ashworth on Christmas Eve +carried Owen Grant home also. Reuben saw Owen at the station before +the train started, and he fancied that Owen saw him, but he walked +away to the bookstall, and stood there with his back towards Reuben, +as though desirous of avoiding him. So Reuben understood the action, +and accordingly, he kept out of Owen's way. But midway to Ashworth, +a change of trains had to be made, and as Reuben alighted at the +junction, he was brought face to face with Owen Grant, and, if either +wished it, there was no chance of avoiding a greeting.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! Reuben, old chap! Are you going down to Ashworth too? That +is good luck," said Owen, with rather effusive friendliness; "I was +wondering if you would be able to get away."</p> + +<p>"Yes; the factory is closed for three days," said Reuben. "How long do +you get, Owen?"</p> + +<p>"The same time. It is not to be expected that they can give longer in +such a business as ours. We have to work, I can tell you; but the pay +is good."</p> + +<p>Owen's smart appearance seemed to confirm this statement. He was +Reuben's companion for the rest of the way, and talked incessantly, +chiefly about himself. It was clear that he held himself in higher +esteem than ever, and the tone he adopted in talking to Reuben, though +friendly, had a touch of condescension.</p> + +<p>The night was wet and cold. But when they reached Ashworth, old David +Grant stood on the platform to welcome his son.</p> + +<p>The old man's voice trembled with emotion; his beaming looks told his +pride and pleasure in the smart young man, who seemed to attract the +notice of everybody.</p> + +<p>No one had come to meet Reuben Roy, nor had he expected to be met. He +quietly shouldered his carpet-bag and marched homewards, attracting few +glances as he went. But the welcome that awaited him when he reached +the cottage—from the loving, weary mother, who had just finished her +day's work and "cleaned up" the place; from the little ones, who had +been allowed to stay up an hour later than usual because their brother +was coming; and from his father when he came back from carrying home +the last basket of linen—that warm, joyous welcome seemed to make +amends for all Reuben had had to endure since he left home.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Christmas morning was bright, and both Mr. and Mrs. Grant appeared +at church, accompanied by their beloved son. Reuben saw them in the +churchyard when the service was over. They greeted him very kindly.</p> + +<p>"We are so glad," said Mrs. Grant, "that you and Owen see each other +sometimes in Birmingham. It is so nice for him to have an old friend +near him, for he must often feel lonely when he is away from home."</p> + +<p>Her words were rather discomposing to Reuben. He hardly knew how to +reply to them.</p> + +<p>"We are not near each other," he said abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Mother knows that," put in Owen quickly, as if to prevent his saying +more; "she knows that you live in another part of Birmingham, and it is +impossible for us to meet very often."</p> + +<p>"But you see each other on Sundays," said the old woman gently; "you go +to the same church, Owen tells me."</p> + +<p>Reuben looked up in astonishment. At the same moment he caught a +warning, entreating glance from Owen. A deep blush, which might have +been taken for a blush of guilt, overspread Reuben's countenance. How +could Owen tell such an untruth to his mother?</p> + +<p>Reuben said nothing, and Mrs. Grant took his silence for assent.</p> + +<p>A little farther on their ways separated, and Reuben said "Good-day" to +the Grants.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>He did not see Owen again till they met at the station when they were +about to return to Birmingham. Their meeting gave Reuben no pleasure, +for he felt disgusted with Owen for the way in which he was deceiving +his parents. Owen's self-satisfaction, however, seemed as complete +as ever. He showed no consciousness of having done anything of which +he should be ashamed. He regarded himself as a sharp, clever fellow, +sure to get on in the world, and held Reuben but a poor creature in +comparison.</p> + +<p>As they approached Birmingham, and were about to part, Owen suddenly +asked Reuben if he could lend him five shillings.</p> + +<p>"The fact is I'm rather hard up," he said, with a magnificent air. +"I've spent too much money on the old people this Christmas. I shall +receive my salary in a day or two, and then I'll pay you. But don't if +it's not convenient."</p> + +<p>It was not quite easy for Reuben to spare five shillings just then. But +he did not like to refuse, so he handed the sum to Owen, who thanked +him, assured him again that it should be returned in a day or two, and +went his way.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image009" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image009.jpg" alt="image009"></figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image010" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image010.jpg" alt="image010"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_5">CHAPTER V.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>REUBEN SEES MORE OF OWEN GRANT.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>NOT two days only, but two weeks, passed, and Reuben saw nothing of +Owen Grant. He began to wonder if his loan of five shillings had been +forgotten by Owen. Reuben felt, not unnaturally, that he should like to +see his money again. He did not know where Owen lodged, but he knew the +shop at which he worked, and he resolved that since Owen did not seek +him, he would go in search of Owen.</p> + +<p>Reuben could not get to the draper's shop in which Owen was employed +till near the hour of closing. But late as it was, the shop was full +of customers. The atmosphere was hot with gas. The assistants looked +tired, but very busy. When Reuben asked if he could see Owen Grant, +he was told to stand on one side and wait. Reuben waited patiently, +finding entertainment in watching the scene before him.</p> + +<p>Presently he spied Owen seated before a high desk in the middle of the +shop. He had a large book before him, in which he continually made +entries, at the same time receiving money and giving forth change with +a rapidity which astonished Reuben. Busy though he was, he caught sight +of Reuben, and nodded to him. But something in his look as he did so, +made Reuben fancy that Owen was not over-pleased to see him.</p> + +<p>Gradually the number of customers in the shop lessened, one after +another they went out, most of them carrying parcels. Already the +shutters were being put up, and the wearied assistants, with an air of +relief, began to roll up the materials they had been displaying, and +to carry things back to their places. Still Reuben had to wait many +minutes ere Owen was at liberty to come to him.</p> + +<p>When at last he came, he looked pale and jaded, and the smile with +which he greeted Reuben seemed forced.</p> + +<p>"Come outside, old fellow," he said quickly; "every one is on the move +now, and we cannot talk here."</p> + +<p>"I need not keep you, Owen," said Reuben; "I only came to ask if you +could let me have the five shillings I lent you. Have you forgotten it?"</p> + +<p>Owen lifted his hand with a quick movement, as though to check Reuben's +words; then looked round uneasily as he said, "All right! We'll talk +about that outside; there is no need to acquaint all these fellows with +my private affairs."</p> + +<p>But no one was near enough to them to have heard what Reuben said. +Without another word, he followed Owen into the open air. Then, as they +turned along the street, Owen began to talk away to him so fast that +Reuben had difficulty in getting in a word.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of our shop?" he asked, without waiting for Reuben's +reply. "Smart, isn't it? I can tell you we do a rattling good trade. +I've had to work hard, I know, since I was promoted to be cashier."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been cashier?" Reuben managed to ask.</p> + +<p>"Oh, only since Christmas. The other fellow fell ill; that was how I +got the post. It was a stroke of good luck for me, for of course it +means better pay, though I have to work hard. But I was always quick at +accounts, you know, so the book-keeping comes easy to me. The manager +is pleased with the way I do the work; he told me so last week. But +here's a pub. Let's go in and have a drink. One wants one badly enough +after pegging all day in that close shop."</p> + +<p>"You forget that I am a teetotaler," said Reuben.</p> + +<p>"What, are you still? I should have thought you would have given up +that nonsense when you came to town. I signed the pledge myself, years +ago, at Ashworth, but I am wiser now. As if a man cannot be trusted to +take care of himself! He is a poor creature who cannot tell when he has +had enough and leave off drinking."</p> + +<p>"There are a good many such poor creatures about," remarked Reuben +gravely. "Do your father and mother know, Owen, that you have broken +the pledge?"</p> + +<p>"I should like to know what that is to you," exclaimed Owen, suddenly +getting angry. "You just leave my father and mother alone, Reuben Roy. +It's no business of yours what they know or do not know."</p> + +<p>"You are right," said Reuben, quietly. "My business with you, this +evening, Owen, is to ask you to return the five shillings I lent you."</p> + +<p>"All right!" said Owen, colouring up and beginning to feel in his +pockets. He drew forth a shilling and some coppers, and stood looking +at them, as though wondering they were not more.</p> + +<p>"I'm awfully sorry, Reuben," he said, after a minute, "but I can't pay +you to-night. This is all I have with me. The fact is, that little +affair quite slipped my memory, or you should have been paid before +this. But I'll bring it to you one of these days. You need not trouble +to look me up again."</p> + +<p>"But what day will you bring it?" asked Reuben, thinking it well, if +possible, to prevent the "little affair" from again slipping Owen's +memory; "and will you bring it to me at my lodging, or come to the +works?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the works will be nearer, but it is only on Saturday that I can +come, for we close early on that day, and so do you. Unfortunately I +have an engagement for next Saturday. But Saturday week I could come. +Would that suit you, Reuben?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; if you won't forget," said Reuben.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll not forget. I'll be outside the works at three o'clock +without fail."</p> + +<p>And with that understanding they parted.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>When the Saturday came, Reuben felt doubtful whether Owen would keep +his appointment. But Owen did arrive, after Reuben had waited for some +minutes at the entrance to the works.</p> + +<p>Owen wore his smartest attire. The pin that adorned his gay necktie +represented a racehorse; he was smoking a cigar, and flourished a cane. +Altogether there was a fast look about the young man. Mr. Akenside +noted it as he passed the two standing at the edge of the pavement. He +turned and took a close survey of Reuben's companion. The result was +unsatisfactory. He was sorry that Reuben should make a friend of such a +lad. He knew nothing of Owen's connection with Ashworth, having never +seen him there.</p> + +<p>With a patronising, half-contemptuous air, Owen handed Reuben the five +shillings.</p> + +<p>"There's your money, Reuben. I hope I have not inconvenienced you by +keeping it so long."</p> + +<p>"No," said Reuben; "I should have spent the money if I had had it. But +not having it, I learned to do without it. So now I can look upon this +as so much saved, and I am not sorry."</p> + +<p>"I tell you what, Reuben," said Owen, in a low, confidential tone, "if +you have any money saved, I can tell you how to double it. The Warwick +races come off next week, and I know the names of the winners. If you +like to back a horse, I'll give you a tip."</p> + +<p>"How can any one know which horse will win before the race comes off?" +asked Reuben.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there are ways of finding out. You may rely on my information," +said Owen.</p> + +<p>But Reuben shook his head and smiled.</p> + +<p>"No, no, thank you," he said. "'A fool and his money are soon parted,' +they say. I'm not such a fool as to throw mine away in bets. Besides, +I think betting is very wrong: I am sure I should not like to take +another fellow's money if I won it. Don't you remember how Mr. Howe +used to warn us against gambling of all kinds? He used to say that +nothing led so surely to dishonesty and crime."</p> + +<p>"That will do, thank you. Pray spare me Mr. Howe's sermon. It is no +good trying to put any gumption into you, Reuben. You are a fool—a +precious fool."</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Not long after this, Reuben changed his lodging. It was by Mr. +Akenside's arrangement that he did so. Just within the large gates +which guarded the entrance to the works was a small dwelling, occupied +by an old man who acted as gate-keeper by day and had charge of the +premises at night. He had been in the service of the firm for many +years, and they were loth to dismiss him, but he was obviously getting +past his work. His hearing was no longer good, nor his movements alert. +Rather than dismiss him, Mr. Akenside suggested that he should have +a young man to live with him, who could accompany him on his rounds +at night to see that everything was secure, and whose keen young ears +could be trusted to repair the old man's deficiency.</p> + +<p>The gate-keeper had no objection to this plan, and seemed pleased when +Mr. Akenside named Reuben Roy as the youth he thought of placing with +him.</p> + +<p>"He's a good lad is Reuben Roy," he said. "If all the young fellows +would behave themselves as he does, we should not have much to complain +of. I tell him sometimes he has an old head on young shoulders."</p> + +<p>Mr. Akenside heard him with surprise. "I am afraid you are mistaken in +Reuben Roy, Samuel," he said. "I used to have a high opinion of him. +But Savage tells me he is very tiresome, and does not attend to his +work properly. I fancy he has taken up with bad companions; I saw him +myself the other day with a fast young fellow, whose appearance I did +not at all like. To tell you the truth, I hoped that being here with +you would act as a restraint on him, and you might get a good influence +over him, for I know you are a favourite with the young fellows."</p> + +<p>"Well, we live and learn," said the old man musingly. "I should +certainly never have thought Reuben Roy a lad who needed restraint, nor +one likely to be led astray by bad companions."</p> + +<p>His words made an impression on Mr. Akenside. He would fain think well +of Reuben Roy. He began to wonder if Savage had been quite fair towards +Reuben, or whether he had conceived a prejudice against him.</p> + +<p>When, a few days later, Savage ventured to remonstrate with Mr. +Akenside concerning his appointment of Reuben to be old Samuel's +helper, saving that he thought it dangerous to allow such a lad the +range of the factory, he found to his dismay that his words were +without effect; Mr. Akenside was not to be persuaded to give up his +purpose.</p> + +<p>Savage had reasons of his own for desiring that Reuben Roy should not +be stationed at the gatehouse, but he had to reconcile himself to the +disagreeable fact; the will of the master prevailed.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image011" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image011.jpg" alt="image011"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_6">CHAPTER VI.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>REUBEN HAS THRILLING EXPERIENCES.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>REUBEN was well pleased with his change of quarters. He liked old +Samuel, and had no doubt that he should get on with him. The gatehouse, +though small, was clean and bright, for Samuel's married daughter +either came herself or sent some one each day to attend to the house +and cook the old man's dinner. Reuben liked his room, which looked into +the yard, and thought it a great improvement on his attic in the noisy, +crowded house, where the lodgers were continually quarrelling. He wrote +his mother a cheerful letter, telling her how much better off he was, +for he knew that the news would gladden her heart.</p> + +<p>Reuben began to feel glad himself once more. Things were altogether +brighter in his life. Mr. Akenside spoke kindly to him whenever they +met, and even Savage, though many a sign showed that in his heart he +liked Reuben no better than before, treated him with less severity. +Reuben hoped that his worst troubles were over.</p> + +<p>Reuben's only regret in leaving his lodging was that he would in +future see less of Kate, who, in her rough way, still showed herself +friendly to him, and whom he was anxious to befriend in any way that +he could. He believed that the girl had better thoughts and feelings +than she would suffer to appear. She was regarded at the factory as an +incorrigibly bad girl, always in mischief, and it was wondered that she +did not get her dismissal, for she was often insolent to Mr. Savage, +and made no secret of the fact that she hated him and loved to give him +trouble.</p> + +<p>But, away from the factory, Reuben sometimes saw Kate under another +aspect. She liked to talk to him, and would often ask questions about +his home life, in which she seemed much interested. Now and then Reuben +would read her bits out of his mother's letters,—hurriedly written +letters they were, and very queerly spelt, but full of a mother's love, +a mother's tender anxiety about her son's welfare. Kate evidently liked +to hear these. But she would sigh when Reuben had finished, and a look +of sadness would flit across the face which was usually aglow with +mischievous mirth.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Reuben had not been long at the gatehouse, when one day—it was a day he +never forgot—as he was passing along a passage between the workshops, +he heard proceeding from one of them, shrill, awful cries for help. +He recognised the voices as those of women, and flew to the rescue. +Dashing into the midst of a group of terrified girls, he perceived that +one of them had become entangled by her clothes in the machinery, and +was being drawn to certain death.</p> + +<p>In a moment Reuben had his arms around the girl, and tried desperately +to release her. But unaided, he was powerless to extricate her, and +he too might have been drawn into the power of the swift, relentless +machine, if the cries of the girls had not brought other men to the +spot, who by main force dragged the poor creature out. It was a +horrible sight. Her clothes were in shreds, and her flesh was terribly +torn and mangled. It seemed impossible that she could survive such +injuries; but without delay a stretcher was procured, and she was borne +away to the hospital.</p> + +<p>Not till this was done did Reuben learn that the sufferer was Kate +Barnaby, the wild, rough girl in whom he had become interested. The +accident was a sad consequence of her own lawlessness. It was against +the rules for women to touch these machines, or even to enter the room +where they were, the danger of their clothing becoming entangled in the +machinery being so great. But Kate, in one of her reckless moods, had +been tempted to disobey if she dared, and had defiantly ventured to +approach and even attempt to work one of the machines in the absence of +the workmen, with a result which the giddy girls who had led her into +this mischief would never forget.</p> + +<p>Reuben was shocked and unnerved by the terrible sight. It was all +he could do to keep from sobbing aloud as the women did. No one who +had witnessed the accident thought it possible that Kate could live. +A sense of horror and gloom oppressed all the workers in the large +factory, as they discussed with painful eagerness the event. Nothing +else was talked about, and all were glad when the hour of closing came.</p> + +<p>As they passed out of the gates, quite a number of the "hands" turned +in the direction of the hospital, that they might inquire there as to +Kate's condition. Reuben was of the number. It was a great relief to +him to learn that the surgeons did not consider the case hopeless. But +he returned to the gatehouse with his heart heavy with anxiety, and +that night he tossed to and fro on his bed and could not sleep, whilst +the horrible scene which had shocked him kept renewing itself before +his mental vision.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>At last, finding the attempt to sleep vain, he rose and went to his +window. It was about five in the morning, but still dark, and no +wind was stirring. As Reuben pressed his hot forehead against the +window-pane, he perceived to his astonishment a light moving unsteadily +at the farther end of the yard. Now here, now there it was, then he +lost sight of it, then a few minutes later it appeared again.</p> + +<p>Reuben began to tremble with a vague terror. What could it mean? Some +one surely was moving about the yard who had no business to be there. +How was it that the faithful watchdog, which ranged the premises at +night, had given no alarm? Watching closely, Reuben began to fancy that +he could see forms moving stealthily in the darkness. All his senses +now on the alert, he became aware of dull, muffled sounds from time to +time. Something apparently was wrong, and he must discover what.</p> + +<p>Hurriedly drawing on his clothes, he prepared to go forth, but at the +door of his room he paused and hesitated, in doubt whether it would be +well to rouse old Samuel. He went back to the window. The light was no +longer visible, but still he fancied he could hear sounds as of some +one stirring in the yard. Yet it all seemed so dream-like that Reuben +was by no means sure that he was not the victim of some delusion, the +result of his over-strained nerves and sleepless night. He resolved, +though not without tremor, that he would slip into the yard, and +ascertain whether there was any one there before he awoke old Samuel.</p> + +<p>The sound of the old man's heavy breathing was reassuring to Reuben as +he crept downstairs. He began to hope that he had disquieted himself +about nothing. But as, having quietly opened the house door, he stepped +into the yard, he saw the light again, Reuben's heart beat fast as he +crept along towards the spot at which it had appeared.</p> + +<p>Presently the sound of subdued voices reached his ear. There were men +moving at the end of the yard, but he was not yet near enough to hear +what they were saying.</p> + +<p>It was lighter out of doors than it had seemed from the window. As he +advanced, Reuben saw to his astonishment that a cart and horse stood +before one of the buildings. It was that in which the metal goods, when +finished, were temporarily stored. Reuben could not imagine how the +cart could have been driven into the yard after the gates were closed. +He moved on, feeling like one in a dream.</p> + +<p>As he came up to it, he saw that the horse's hoofs were muffled to +prevent its tread being heard. The next moment he perceived that the +storehouse door stood open, and that some one within was handing out +goods to a man who stood at the back of the cart, and was hurriedly +packing them into it.</p> + +<p>Reuben shrank back against the wall, trembling in every limb. Here were +thieves indeed, and they were doing their work in a wholesale way. +But the discovery inspired him, excited and overwrought as he was, +with such terror, that he cowered against the wall, close to the cart, +unable to move forward or back.</p> + +<p>The next minute the man at the cart said, in a low, cautious tone to +his confederate within, "I say, Nat, it's getting late. We'd best be +off before it grows any lighter."</p> + +<p>The man within appeared to assent. A few more things were handed out, +then a few moments later Reuben heard the sound of the storehouse door +being closed and locked.</p> + +<p>The next minute a man carrying a lantern passed in front of Reuben. The +lad held his breath, and vainly tried to squeeze himself closer to the +wall. Then to his amazement he saw that the man was none other than Nat +Savage. For a moment Reuben had the idea that all was right, and he was +there on lawful business. But the darkness, the stealth, the haste told +another story.</p> + +<p>It was easy now to explain how they gained admittance to the works. +Savage had keys that would open every gate or door on the premises. +He was trusted with everything. And this was how he rewarded the +confidence placed in him!</p> + +<p>Following at Savage's heels was the watchdog belonging to the premises. +Reuben knew that Savage had trained this dog to do anything he told +him. He would not bark if his master bid him be still. But the dog knew +Reuben well also, and now, to the lad's dismay, he bounded towards him, +giving a low whine of delight.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image012" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image012.jpg" alt="image012"></figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>"WE ARE NOT BURGLARS!"</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Instantly, Savage turned and flashed the light of his lantern upon +Reuben.</p> + +<p>"You here!" exclaimed the man, his face white with fear, his form +trembling visibly. Then, in ungovernable passion, he broke out, "But +I'll teach you to spy upon me; I'll give you a lesson."</p> + +<p>And he raised his hand to strike Reuben. Ere he could do so, his arm +was seized by his companion, whom Reuben now recognised as a little old +man, with a mean, cunning face, whom he had occasionally seen in the +yard talking with Savage.</p> + +<p>"Gently, gently," whispered this man; "don't make a noise. You forget +the old man. Tell him it's all right."</p> + +<p>Savage took the hint, recovered himself and said more quietly, though +his manner still betrayed agitation, "You need not be alarmed, Reuben +Roy. We are not burglars. It is all perfectly right, I assure you. Now +you have seen who is here, you can go back to your bed. Only remember, +please, that I do not wish this talked about. Give me your word that +you will say nothing of this to any one."</p> + +<p>But Reuben was silent. He was by no means satisfied that all was +perfectly right, and, though he dreaded Savage's violence, he would not +promise to keep silence, when he believed it was his duty to speak of +what he had seen.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you speak?" asked Savage angrily. "Don't you hear me? +Promise that you will name this to no one. Come, I am not to be trifled +with, I can tell you. Promise to hold your tongue, or it will be the +worse for you."</p> + +<p>"I will not promise," said Reuben bravely, though his voice shook as he +spoke. "I am bound to tell Samuel what I have seen. If it is all right, +as you say, you need not surely mind his knowing."</p> + +<p>"You are to tell no one. I warn you, Reuben Roy, that I am in deadly +earnest. Breathe a word of this to any one, and it will be the worse +for you. Now, will you promise?"</p> + +<p>Reuben shook his head. And, remembering how he had withstood him on a +previous occasion, Savage became possessed by an impotent rage that +drove him almost beside himself. He rushed at Reuben with clenched +fist, but the young fellow, springing on one side, evaded the blow. +At the same instant, however, the other man stepped forward, and by a +cunning movement of his foot, tripped Reuben up, causing him to fall +heavily to the ground.</p> + +<p>As he fell, his head struck against an angle of the wall with such +force that the blow stunned him. He lay there motionless till the full +light of day shone upon his white, upturned face.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image013" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image013.jpg" alt="image013"></figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image014" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image014.jpg" alt="image014"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_7">CHAPTER VII.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>REUBEN'S STORY IS DISCREDITED.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>WHEN Reuben came to himself, he did not at first realize that he was +not waking as usual in his bed. He was very cold; his head ached +sorely, and he felt bruised all over. Then he became aware that the +surface on which he lay was very hard, then that a chill wind was +blowing over him. With that he raised himself on his elbow, not without +difficulty, for he felt strangely stiff, and lo! he was in the yard, +and the factory buildings were all about him.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Reuben felt utterly bewildered. But gradually the +events of the early morning came back to him. Only the fact of his +being stretched there in the yard made him sure that it was not all +a bad dream. For everything about him looked as usual. The cart and +the men had disappeared, nor was there any sign of their having been +there. He raised himself from the ground with difficulty. The movement +made him feel ill, and everything seemed to swim before his eyes. But +presently he began to feel better, and was able to make his way back to +the gatehouse.</p> + +<p>Old Samuel was already down, and was busying himself about the +breakfast, wondering the while that Reuben, who generally undertook +the preparation of this meal, still lingered upstairs. He had just +discovered to his astonishment that the house door was unbolted, +when the appearance of Reuben, pale and dishevelled, coming in from +the outside, astonished him still further. But the story Reuben had +to tell, seemed to the old man scarcely credible. Mr. Savage in the +yard before five o'clock in the morning, with a horse and cart, and a +strange man engaged in carrying goods away! There must be some mistake.</p> + +<p>"You did not dream it all, did you, lad?" he asked, not unkindly, +laying his hand on Reuben's hot forehead. "You don't look at all well, +and you feel feverish. Are you quite sure, now, that you did not dream +it all?"</p> + +<p>"Dream it!" exclaimed Reuben, feeling indignant that, after all he had +gone through, his story should be thus received. "How could I dream +such a thing? Do you think I do not know Nat Savage when I see him? +Ask him yourself, if he was not in the yard last night. And as for +my looking ill, I may well do that after the fall I had. Look at my +forehead; it's bleeding still."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, poor lad, you've had a fall, that's plain enough," said the +old gate-keeper feelingly. "Have you ever heard your mother say whether +she's known you walk in your sleep?"</p> + +<p>"I never walk in my sleep," said Reuben impatiently. "I tell you that +as soon as I saw the light and guessed that there were persons in the +yard, I hurried on some clothes and went out."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I know," said Samuel, with a smile which nettled Reuben. +"But it passes my comprehension how any one could have got into the +yard without my hearing them. But go and lie down, lad, if you can't +eat any breakfast. A little sleep will do you good. I shall not open +the gates for half an hour yet, and if you don't feel well enough to +get up then, lie still a little longer. I'll tell Mr. Akenside how it +is."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I mean to tell Mr. Akenside everything myself, as soon as he +comes," returned Reuben.</p> + +<p>"Very well, very well," replied the old man, in the tone of one who +would humour a whimsical patient; "but go and get a little rest whilst +you can."</p> + +<p>And Reuben was glad to take his advice, for his head ached terribly, +and he felt good for nothing.</p> + +<p>He had not lain long on his bed ere he fell fast asleep. Finding him +sleeping soundly when he came to look at him a little later, old Samuel +let him sleep on, for he felt sure Reuben would not be fit for work if +he were roused. As the gate-keeper stood at his post taking the names +of the workpeople as they passed into the works, Mr. Savage came in. +Samuel looked at him curiously. But the foreman wore his usual stern, +inflexible look, which revealed nothing.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Savage," said Samuel.</p> + +<p>Savage turned sharply at the sound of his name.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said—he was always curt of speech—"what is it?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you wasn't in the yard at five o'clock this morning?"</p> + +<p>"What! I! In the yard at that hour? I should rather think not. I have +enough of the place by daylight, without wanting to come here in the +dark."</p> + +<p>"So I thought," said the old man, with a grin.</p> + +<p>"Then what do you mean by asking me such a question?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's that lad Reuben. I believe he is brain-sick. He came in this +morning with such a story—how he had seen a light in the yard, and had +gone out and found you, if you please, with a cart carrying away goods. +It's my belief that he walked out in his sleep under the influence of a +delusion. That poor girl's accident yesterday upset him very much. He +has a tender heart, has Reuben."</p> + +<p>"I hope that may be the explanation," said Savage grimly. "But I am +very much afraid that story is a wicked invention, made with the +purpose of hiding his own ill-deeds at the expense of my character. If +I am not mistaken, you are deceived in that lad, Samuel."</p> + +<p>"I hope you 'are' mistaken, then," said Samuel, "for I never felt more +confidence in any lad. It seemed to me more like a delirious dream than +anything else. For how could you get into the yard without my hearing +you? And then to charge you of all persons with carrying off the goods!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's a most incredible story," said Savage. "As if any one could +pass the gatehouse without rousing you! But you'll see; he will try to +pass it off as truth. Where is he now?"</p> + +<p>"In bed. I told him to stay there. He does not seem fit for work."</p> + +<p>"That's right!" and Savage hurried away.</p> + +<p>After sleeping for a couple of hours, poor Reuben woke, feeling +refreshed. He rose and dressed quickly. The discovery of the morning +weighed upon his mind, and he could not rest till he had told all to +Mr. Akenside. As he went downstairs, he heard the clock strike ten, and +was dismayed to think it was so late.</p> + +<p>"Well, lad," said Samuel cheerfully, "do you feel all right now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, all right, thank you," said Reuben, and hurried out, as if on his +way to work.</p> + +<p>As he passed one of the workshops, Reuben was surprised to see Nat +Savage standing within, giving orders in his usual sharp manner. He +cast a suspicious glance at Reuben, but made no attempt to stay him.</p> + +<p>Reuben made his way to the office, where he hoped at this hour to find +Mr. Akenside; nor was he disappointed. Mr. Akenside's voice it was that +bade him enter in response to his knock.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you, Reuben Roy, is it?" said Mr. Akenside. His voice was +cold and stern.</p> + +<p>But Reuben did not observe it. He was too full of the disclosure he had +to make. He began his story tremulously, but he had not got to the end +when Mr. Akenside checked him.</p> + +<p>"That will do, Reuben Roy," he said sternly. "It is a very ingenious +fabrication, no doubt, but you cannot deceive me by it. I am sorry to +say that Mr. Savage has just told me of the discovery he has made that +some one has managed to gain an entrance into the storehouse and carry +off some of the goods, and that he suspects you of being the thief."</p> + +<p>For a few moments Reuben was too astounded to speak.</p> + +<p>"'Me!'" he exclaimed at last. "Mr. Savage dared to say he suspected me! +Why, I saw him myself, last night, removing things from the warehouse."</p> + +<p>"No more lies, if you please, Reuben," said Mr. Akenside sadly; "you +cannot suppose that I should believe your word rather than that of +Nathaniel Savage, who has been my faithful servant for more than twenty +years."</p> + +<p>"But, sir, I am telling you the very truth," said Reuben desperately; +"God knows it is no lie."</p> + +<p>"There, there, that will do," said Mr. Akenside. "If it be indeed +the truth, Reuben, you will not mind our searching your room at the +gatehouse."</p> + +<p>"Search it, by all means, if you wish, sir," said Reuben eagerly. "You +will not find anything there that does not belong to me."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I shall be glad to satisfy myself that it is so," said Mr. +Akenside. "So we will go to your room at once, Reuben."</p> + +<p>As they passed out of the office, Mr. Akenside called one of the men to +accompany him.</p> + +<p>Reuben, his face flushed with indignation, led the way, eager to clear +himself of the imputation of dishonesty.</p> + +<p>When they entered Reuben's bedroom, Mr. Akenside bade the man search it +thoroughly. The room was so small that the search did not take long. +Beneath the bed was a hamper. Reuben had received it from home in the +autumn, full of rosy apples. When he last saw it, the hamper was empty. +But now, as the man's eye fell on it and he tried to draw it out, he +found it so heavy, that he had difficulty in moving it. He opened the +hamper, and within, closely packed in straw, were several of the small +metal goods manufactured in Mr. Akenside's works.</p> + +<p>"What is the meaning of this, Reuben?" asked Mr. Akenside sternly.</p> + +<p>Reuben shrank back terrified, dismayed, too overwhelmed to speak. He +could hardly believe his eyes. How came those things there, in his +hamper, beneath his bed? He tried to speak, but the words came broken +by sobs, and Mr. Akenside might well mistake his agitation for guilt, +as he exclaimed, "Indeed, sir, I know nothing about it; I did not put +them there."</p> + +<p>"That will not do," said Mr. Akenside; "you cannot expect me to believe +that."</p> + +<p>Certainly things looked very bad for Reuben Roy. Even old Samuel, when +he saw the things that had been found in his room, was convinced of his +dishonesty. And to furnish another link in the evidence against him, +a rusty key was found beneath the rug, which fitted the lock of the +storehouse. There seemed no longer any reasonable ground to doubt his +guilt.</p> + +<p>But in vain Mr. Akenside urged the lad to make full confession of the +wrong he had done. Reuben had nothing to confess. But his silence +appeared to prove his obduracy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Akenside hesitated how to deal with him. But at last he said: +"For the sake of your father and mother, Reuben, I will not prosecute +you. But, of course, after what has happened, I cannot keep you in my +service, nor can I give you a character that will help you to gain +another situation. You have brought your life to a sorry pass. May God +have mercy on you, and save you from sinking yet lower!"</p> + +<p>A strange flash came into Reuben's eyes. In the midst of this sore +trouble, the thought of God gave him strength.</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder, sir," he said, quietly and respectfully—"I don't +wonder that you think me guilty of stealing those things. But God knows +I never touched them, and that I never saw that key till you found it +under the rug. I can trust in God. He has sent me this trial, and He +will make my innocence clear in His own time."</p> + +<p>Mr. Akenside was staggered by Reuben's manner. Was it indeed innocence, +or was it the most cunning hypocrisy? Unable to decide, he left the lad +without another word.</p> + +<p>And Reuben began to gather his things together preparatory to quitting +the gatehouse.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image015" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image015.jpg" alt="image015"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_8">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>A TIME OF TRIAL.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>"WELL, lad, I am sorry to part with you—more than sorry that we should +part in this way. There's no one would be more glad than I if you could +find a way to prove that you never touched those things. But there! +It's past belief. How could any one bring them into the gatehouse +without my hearing? I must think evil of you, lad, though I'd fain not."</p> + +<p>The speaker was old Samuel, and he looked unhappy enough as he said +these words.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Reuben, in a choked voice; "I know you mean kindly. +Maybe you'll be able to think well of me again some day."</p> + +<p>Reuben had ascertained that the attic in which he had formerly lodged +was vacant once more, and he could have it. So thither he now removed +with his few possessions. How long he would be able to live there, +he could not tell. He had saved a little money, but that would soon +dwindle away, unless he found some means of earning more. Reuben's +heart sank within him as he remembered how hard it would be for a young +man without a character to gain employment.</p> + +<p>Had Reuben borne a guilty conscience, he could not have endured to +live amongst the workpeople, who all knew of his disgrace. As it was, +he shrank from the hard, curious glances directed towards him, and was +painfully conscious of the whispers concerning him that were passing +amongst his former companions, hearing them with the ears of his mind, +if not with his actual bodily ears.</p> + +<p>But whilst oppressed by his own troubles, Reuben did not forget poor +Kate Barnaby. He went almost every day to the hospital to inquire +for her, and was thankful to learn that she was making satisfactory +progress, and there was good hope that her life would be saved.</p> + +<p>Day after day Reuben sought for work, but with the result that he had +dreaded. No one cared to employ him, when it was found he could not +give a satisfactory character.</p> + +<p>Reuben had not told his father and mother of his having left Mr. +Akenside's factory. He clung to the hope that some fact would be +brought to light that should establish his innocence, so that his +parents need not learn of his trouble till its worst phase was over. +But the days passed on, and no light broke through Reuben's heavy cloud +of trouble. He struggled bravely with misfortune, living on as little +as possible, and taking eagerly every chance job that came in his way. +But the sense of undeserved reproach weighed heavily on his heart. +There were times when his courage well-nigh failed, and the trial +seemed indeed more than he could bear. Had God forgotten him? Was there +no way of escape from this the hardest of all his temptations?</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>One day, about three weeks after Reuben's dismissal from the factory, +Reuben calling at the hospital was informed that Kate was now +sufficiently recovered to see visitors, and that she had expressed a +wish to see him. It was arranged that he should pay her a visit on the +following Sunday afternoon.</p> + +<p>Kate was looking forward with eagerness to his coming. She welcomed him +with such a bright smile and showed so much pleasure at seeing him that +he thought she could not know of the cloud he was under. The poor girl +was sadly altered. Her face was white and wasted, and the dark hollows +beneath her eyes testified to the pain she had suffered. But she was +getting better now, she said hopefully, though when she would be fit +for work again she could not tell.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Akenside came to see me yesterday," she said. "He says I am not +to worry myself about getting back to work directly I come out of the +hospital, for he'll allow me ten shillings a week till I am strong. +He's a good man, is Mr. Akenside."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is," said Reuben.</p> + +<p>Kate looked at him in surprise.</p> + +<p>"What! You can say that!" she exclaimed. "I should have thought you'd +have been mad with him for accusing you of stealing and turning you +off."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Then you've heard," he said, flashing crimson.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've heard, Reuben," she said, "but I don't believe a word of it. +You steal the goods, indeed! The idea of such a thing is absurd, and so +I told Mr. Akenside."</p> + +<p>"You told him!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did. I told him I was sure it was a mistake, and that some one +has been playing you a mean trick."</p> + +<p>"And what did he say?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he didn't say anything, only that he was very sorry about the +whole affair. It was a great grief to him."</p> + +<p>"I am sure it was," said Reuben.</p> + +<p>"I wonder you can take it so quietly, Reuben."</p> + +<p>"What would be the good of storming and fretting over it?" he asked. +"That would not alter the facts. Of course I feel it very much."</p> + +<p>"Have you told your mother?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No, I have not," he replied. "I thought it would trouble her so. But I +begin to feel as if I must tell her. I don't like keeping things from +her."</p> + +<p>"I'd tell her if I were you," said Kate. "I think she'd like you to +tell her. If she's the kind of mother I take her for, she'll not be +hard on you."</p> + +<p>"She will not be hard on me, I know," said Reuben, smiling; "it's only +that I don't want her to fret about me."</p> + +<p>"I should like to know your mother," said Kate.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you will some day," he replied.</p> + +<p>"I wish I'd had such a mother," said the girl, a sorrowful look coming +into her eyes. "My mother used to drink and beat me. I might have been +a better girl if I'd had a different sort of mother."</p> + +<p>"You'll be a better girl yet, Kate."</p> + +<p>She shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" he said, with some hesitation. "Perhaps that is why the +accident came to you—that you might have time to think about your life, +and resolve to make it better."</p> + +<p>"What is the good of thinking?" she said sharply. "I'm sick of +thinking."</p> + +<p>Reuben was silent.</p> + +<p>"Reuben," she said, after a pause, "they say at the yard that you're +religious. Is that true?"</p> + +<p>"I hope so," he said, colouring.</p> + +<p>"What is it to be religious?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Reuben hardly knew how to answer this question. There seemed to him so +much involved in it.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," he began, awkwardly, "that a religious person is one who +fears God."</p> + +<p>"Fears God," she repeated. "How can that be? I fear God, but I am not a +religious person. I felt dreadfully afraid of God when I thought I was +going to die."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it's not that kind of fear," said Reuben. "I don't know how to +explain it. But it's more like the kind of fear children have of their +parents. They fear to offend them because they love them."</p> + +<p>"Must one have good parents in order to be religious?" asked Kate.</p> + +<p>"Oh no; surely you know better than that!" said Reuben. "Religion is +for every one. I mean God wants everybody to trust Him and love Him. +That is why He sent His Son into the world to be our Saviour."</p> + +<p>"Tell me more about it," said Kate eagerly.</p> + +<p>But at this moment one of the nurses came up to warn Reuben that he had +stayed as long as he should.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I do not want you to go yet," said Kate, looking vexed. Then, as +Reuben came near to bid her good-bye, she said, almost in a whisper, +"Tell me before you go—does being religious make things easier?"</p> + +<p>"Make things easier?" he repeated, not catching her meaning.</p> + +<p>"Yes, does it make things easier to bear? Does it help you to bear +being turned away from the factory and knowing that people think you a +thief?"</p> + +<p>Reuben's face grew crimson; but he answered, without a moment's +hesitation: "It does make it easier, very much easier. Indeed, I could +not bear it but for that."</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image016" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image016.jpg" alt="image016"></figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image017" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image017.jpg" alt="image017"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_9">CHAPTER IX.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>THE CLOUD IS LIFTED.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>WHILST engaged in his weary search for employment, it occurred to +Reuben that Owen Grant, who knew so much about the ways of town, might +be able to help him, or at least give him advice as to the best way of +seeking a situation. It would not be agreeable to Reuben to confess to +Owen that he had lost his place at the factory, and was under suspicion +of dishonesty, but he was not one to forego any course of action simply +because it involved what was painful.</p> + +<p>So subduing his reluctance, he went one evening to the draper's shop +he had before visited, and entering, looked round for Owen. But a girl +was now seated at the high desk receiving cash, and Owen was not to +be seen. The next minute the shop-walker advanced to inquire what his +business might be, and Reuben asked if he could speak to Owen Grant.</p> + +<p>"He is not here," said the man, to Reuben's surprise; "he went away on +Saturday."</p> + +<p>"Went away!" said Reuben. "Has he gone for a holiday, sir?"</p> + +<p>"He has gone for good—or bad," was the curt rejoinder. "Perhaps he went +home, but I do not know. I can give you no information concerning him."</p> + +<p>Reuben turned away very much surprised. He received no response to his +quiet "good evening," and he fancied that the shop-walker eyed him +suspiciously as he passed out of the shop.</p> + +<p>"But why should he?" Reuben asked himself. "Perhaps it is only my +fancy. I am getting to expect that people should look doubtfully at me. +It is not likely that that man can know that I have been turned away +from the works."</p> + +<p>Reuben wondered very much what could be the explanation of Owen's +having left the business where he had boasted that he was doing so +well. Could he have fallen into any trouble akin to that which he, +Reuben, was suffering? Reuben's sympathy went out towards him at the +very thought.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Two days later Reuben went again to the hospital to see Kate. He found +her greatly excited, but not on her own account. She had been shocked +and grieved by hearing of a terrible case that had been brought into +the ward that day. A man had been knocked down in the street by a cab, +and so injured that it was feared he could not live.</p> + +<p>"And oh, Reuben," exclaimed Kate excitedly, "as they carried him past +this bed, I saw his face, and I am almost sure that I have seen him at +the works. I don't fancy he is one of the 'hands,' but I believe that +I have seen him there. Perhaps you would recognise him. Do try to get +a look at him before you go. His bed is in that corner, behind the +screen."</p> + +<p>"But if he is so ill, he will not care to be looked at, perhaps," said +Reuben, shrinking rather from approaching the poor sufferer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he will not see you, he is unconscious. He was groaning terribly +last night, but they say he does not feel actual pain."</p> + +<p>So Reuben moved gently towards the bed in the corner, and peeping round +the side of the screen, saw the face of the injured man, white and +still, turned towards him. The sight sent a strange thrill through him, +for there was something familiar in the grizzled hair, the thin lined +face, the scanty beard. It was the old man he had seen in the yard with +Savage on the fateful morning, which now hung dream-like in his memory, +though he was convinced of the reality of all he had seen and heard at +that early hour.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" whispered Kate eagerly, as he came back to her side. "You +know him; I can see you know him."</p> + +<p>"I do not know his name," said Reuben, "but I believe he is a friend of +Mr. Savage's. I have seen him in the yard."</p> + +<p>"So have I," exclaimed Kate eagerly; "I have seen him speaking to Nat +Savage. A horrid-looking old man, I thought him. But, poor fellow, one +can only pity him now."</p> + +<p>"If you know anything of that patient, we should be glad to hear it," +said the sister in charge of the ward, overhearing their words; "we +could find no trace of his identity, and no one seems to have made +inquiries concerning him. Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you," said Reuben "I only know that I've seen him in the +yard at Akenside's works, talking with the foreman."</p> + +<p>"Who is the foreman? Cannot you let him know that this man is here?"</p> + +<p>Reuben was silent. The suggestion seemed to cause him dismay.</p> + +<p>"I don't work at Akenside's now," he said, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Well, what if you do not?" said the lady, not understanding; "you can +surely carry a message there. Do go at once! I fear the poor old man +cannot live long. Think what it is for him to lie there, alone and +friendless."</p> + +<p>Still Reuben hesitated. He would rather she had asked him to walk +through fire, he thought, than to enter the work-yard from which he had +been so disgracefully dismissed.</p> + +<p>"Do go, Reuben," said Kate gently; "I know how you feel, and that +Savage is the last man you wish to speak with, but do it for the sake +of the poor old man."</p> + +<p>And Reuben went. He approached the works with the hope that he might +see some one about who would carry the message for him. But the hope +was disappointed. It was the middle of the afternoon, and every one was +busy. He saw no one at leisure to whom he dared entrust the message.</p> + +<p>"Why, Reuben, lad, it's never you," said the old gate-keeper.</p> + +<p>Reuben winced at the words, though the tone was kind.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's me, Samuel," Reuben replied; "I've come with a message to +Mr. Savage. Can you tell me where I shall find him?"</p> + +<p>Samuel indicated the building in which he believed the foreman to be, +and then stood watching the lad with an air of amazement as he made his +way to it. It seemed to him an extraordinary thing that Reuben should +come there and ask for Mr. Savage of all persons. He only hoped that it +boded good, that something was in the wind that might restore Reuben +to his old place in Mr. Akenside's esteem. But he could not persuade +himself that such a thing was likely.</p> + +<p>Savage was standing just within the workshop, talking in his usual loud +dictatorial tone, when Reuben approached.</p> + +<p>Turning quickly and seeing Reuben beside him, he fairly started with +surprise. Then, annoyed at having betrayed himself thus, he turned +fiercely upon the young man.</p> + +<p>"You here!" he exclaimed. "How dare you enter the yard, you rascal? You +ought to be in gaol by rights. It was mistaken kindness, in my opinion, +to let you go free, and now you have the audacity to show your face +here! Be off with you, or I'll give you in charge."</p> + +<p>"I came here in order to speak with you, Mr. Savage," said Reuben +quietly, though his whole soul was aflame with indignation; "and let me +warn you to be careful what you say, for I have surely as much right to +be at large as you have. There is an old man at the hospital, seriously +injured, who I believe is a friend of yours—at least, I have seen him +with you more than once. No one there knows who he is, and they fear he +cannot live. They want you to go to the hospital and identify him."</p> + +<p>Savage had changed colour whilst Reuben was speaking. He grew so white +that not Reuben alone observed it, but all the workpeople who were +near, listening curiously to what passed.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" he asked defiantly. "What cock-and-bull story is +this? I know no man at the hospital."</p> + +<p>"You know this man," said Reuben; "he is an old man with greyish hair +and a short grey beard. I tell you I have seen him with you more than +once. But you can do as you like about coming. I have told you."</p> + +<p>"A pretty thing to tell me," cried Savage. "How am I to know what man +it is? But we know your talent for inventing stories, Reuben Roy."</p> + +<p>The taunt was lost upon Reuben, who had turned hurriedly away, only +too anxious to leave the place. But ere he had gone many steps, he ran +against Mr. Akenside, who was as astonished to see him as Savage had +been.</p> + +<p>"Reuben," he said sternly, "why are you here?"</p> + +<p>Reuben flushed crimson, and for a moment he hung his head and could not +reply. But happily, he remembered that he had no true cause for shame, +and he lifted his eyes and looked Mr. Akenside full in the face as he +explained the errand on which he had come.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see," said the gentleman; "it was right of you to come. Is Mr. +Savage going at once to the hospital?"</p> + +<p>"I think not," said Reuben. "He says he does not know the man."</p> + +<p>"But how is that? You say you recognised him as one you had seen with +Savage."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Akenside," said Reuben, speaking with difficulty, "you will not +believe me, I know, but I have always told you the truth. This man +at the hospital is the man I saw in the yard with Mr. Savage on that +morning when your goods were taken."</p> + +<p>Mr. Akenside's face clouded. He looked puzzled, perplexed, embarrassed.</p> + +<p>"I cannot understand it," he said coldly. "I had better come to the +hospital and see the man myself."</p> + +<p>Reuben moved on and walked home to his lodging, feeling faint and +heart-sick. Every one was against him; no one would believe his word. +Savage was prosperous and elate; whilst he who had always acted +truthfully and honestly towards his master was cast off without a +character, to starve!</p> + +<p>Poor Reuben! His spirit sank utterly within him when he reached his +lone attic. He could no longer fight against despair. There seemed +no help for him in heaven or on earth. Even God seemed afar off and +pitiless.</p> + +<p>The depression which overcame him and made him cast himself in anguish +on his bed was to a great extent the result of physical causes. The +poor lad was half starved. For weeks he had been living on insufficient +food, whilst tramping about in search of work, or doing such chance +jobs as he could find. It was no wonder he broke down now. But the +suffering was sore, and Reuben never forgot it.</p> + +<p>Happily it was the last dark hour before the dawn. It was late in the +day ere Mr. Akenside could get to the hospital. When he arrived, the +poor old man was near his end. With the approach of death, perfect +consciousness had returned to him. At the sight of Mr. Akenside, he +became greatly agitated. A guilty conscience made him believe his crime +already discovered, and a few questions from Mr. Akenside elicited a +full confession of the systematic robbery from the works, which, in +confederacy with Savage, he had been carrying on for years.</p> + +<p>Mr. Akenside was inexpressibly shocked to discover how he had been +deceived by the servant in whom he had placed entire confidence. He +spoke seriously to the aged sinner, who had revealed this hidden evil +of his past, trying hard to bring him to a state of true penitence. +But who could say if there were genuine feeling in the few words of +contrition the sufferer uttered ere he passed away, or whether they +were merely the expression of a craven fear? There may be hope, but +there is no bright light at eventide about the death-bed of one whose +life has been spent in the service of sin.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>On the following day, Nathaniel Savage was committed to prison to +await his trial, and Reuben's innocence of the crime imputed to him +was proclaimed in the hearing of every one at the works. For Savage's +accomplice had kept back nothing, but had explained how Savage, whilst +Reuben lay senseless in the yard, had, in order to remove suspicion +from themselves, stealthily entered the gatehouse, and creeping +noiselessly up the stairs, contrived to conceal some of the stolen +goods under Reuben's bed, and left a key lying about as further +evidence of his guilt.</p> + +<p>Every one appeared glad to hear the news about Reuben, and no one, +except Mr. Akenside, seemed astounded by the fact of Savage's villainy, +for by many a wrong unjust act, the foreman had revealed to those under +his orders what kind of man he was.</p> + +<p>Reuben did not at once return to his place at the works. Mr. Akenside +was grieved to find how much the lad had suffered. His pale, pinched +face told of his loss of strength. And Mr. Akenside kindly insisted +on his accepting a sum of money, which Reuben thought a far more +munificent compensation than he had any right to expect, and going home +for a long holiday ere he began work again.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image018" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image018.jpg" alt="image018"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_10">CHAPTER X.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>A SON THAT CAUSETH SHAME.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>REUBEN felt like a new creature when he started for Ashworth, and, +leaving the smoky town behind, saw again the green fields and the clear +blue sky. The trees were still bare, but here and there were tokens +of spring's approach, the yellow catkins drooping from the willows, +a touch of vivid green amidst the brown twigs, a shy primrose or +two-peeping from beneath a hedge.</p> + +<p>But if spring did not yet possess the outer world, it was full +springtide in the heart of Reuben Roy. Not till now that it was lifted +from his spirit had he fully realized what a crushing burden was the +sense of unmerited disgrace. It was delightful to feel that he was free +from it at last, that his character was cleared from every imputation, +and that no one now could point to him in scorn as one who should be in +prison if he had his deserts.</p> + +<p>And as he rejoiced with a glad sense of freedom and renewed life, it +struck Reuben what a dreadful thing, since the mere shadow of such +evil was so hard to bear, must the sense of actual guilt be. It was +bad enough to know that others regarded you as a wrong-doer, but how +much sorer shame must he feel who knew himself to be a criminal, and +who could never again look his fellow-man frankly in the face, feeling +himself worthy of respect.</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>The words flashed suddenly upon Reuben's mind with a new vivid +revelation of their truth. He had known before that all men are +sinners, and that Jesus Christ is the Saviour from sin, but now his +recent experience gave him a keen sense of the misery that sin works.</p> + +<p>He saw sin as the most appalling fact in human life, the universal +shadow clouding the beauty and joy of earth; saw how unforgiven sin +inevitably involves a sense of guilt and separation from God, and how +the gospel, with its glad proclamation of no condemnation through faith +in the Divine Atonement, absolves the conscience of the sinner and sets +his spirit free.</p> + +<p>And Reuben knew that even the best of men can be kept from sin only by +the grace of God. If his long trial of unjust suspicion and undeserved +scorn had bred any self-righteousness in the heart of Reuben Roy, it +was all swept away now, and he knew himself a weak, sinful lad, needing +every moment that Divine grace which God has promised to all who seek +it, and in the strength of which alone can temptations be successfully +resisted.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Reuben's mother was dismayed to see her son looking so white and thin. +And she questioned him so closely as to the cause of his altered looks +that he soon had to tell her the whole history of the trial he had +undergone. She listened with deep interest, and an emotion she could +not conceal.</p> + +<p>"I was sure there was something wrong," she said; "I could tell it by +your letters, lad. But you should have told your mother. I would rather +have known all about it, even if it should worry me. It wouldn't have +given me the worst trouble. You'd have had no word of reproach from me, +Reuben. I know my lad, and if all the folks in Birmingham had called +you a thief, it would have made no difference to me; I should know that +you were not."</p> + +<p>Reuben was very pleased to hear his mother say that.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you can trust me, mother," he said.</p> + +<p>"I should hope I could trust my own son," she said proudly; "you've +never deceived me and your father yet, and I know you never will. Ah, +how I pity those parents whose children deceive them, and who find out +when it is too late what their real character is."</p> + +<p>"Mother," said Reuben quickly, "have you heard anything of Owen Grant? +Is he at home now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, alas! I have heard of Owen," said Mrs. Roy gravely, "but it's no +good news, Reuben."</p> + +<p>"What is wrong?" he asked. "I know that Owen has left the business he +was in."</p> + +<p>"He was dismissed for a shameful reason, Reuben. It was discovered that +he had been stealing his employer's money."</p> + +<p>"Mother!" exclaimed Reuben. Then he added quickly, "Perhaps there is +some mistake. He may have been falsely accused, as I was."</p> + +<p>"No, it is not so, unhappily," said Mrs. Roy. "His crime was brought +home to him in such a way that he could not deny it. They say he +managed it very cleverly—he was always so sharp, poor Owen! He kept the +accounts, I believe, and for weeks he managed to take considerable sums +of money, and yet, according to the books, all seemed right. But it +was found out at last, of course. It seems that he had fallen into bad +company, and he wanted the money for gambling debts and the like."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Reuben, "I was afraid from what I saw of him that he was +going wrong, but I never dreamed of anything so bad as this. Oh, his +poor old parents, how will they bear it? It's enough to break their +hearts."</p> + +<p>"Their hearts are just broken, I believe. The poor old man looks as if +he'd never lift up his head again. They say that when he'd read the +letter that brought the ill news, he opened the old family Bible and +took a pen and scored out Owen's name and all he had written about him."</p> + +<p>"Did he really? Poor old man! He was always so proud of Owen."</p> + +<p>"To tell the truth they were both almost foolish about him. It was just +as if they thought he could not do wrong, like everybody else's child."</p> + +<p>"Did Owen write himself?" asked Reuben.</p> + +<p>"No. It would have been better if he had," said Mrs. Roy. "His employer +wrote. He has behaved very kindly. He had such a respect for Owen's +parents that he would not prosecute him. He advised Owen to come home, +but he has not done so, and they do not know where he is, which is an +added grief to his mother, though his father does not seem to care. +Poor old David has always been proud of his good name, and he feels the +disgrace sorely. He is determined to pay back every penny which Owen +took, and is going to sell his house and land in order to do so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a pity! That dear old house, where he has lived all his life! +Ah, mother, that is real trouble. Mine was nothing compared with it. +How can Owen bear to think of the sorrow he has brought upon his father +and mother?"</p> + +<p>The news saddened Reuben greatly, and, despite the brightness of his +home-coming, and the joyous welcome he had from every one, he could not +soon shake off its sombre influence. It was another instance of the +misery that sin works. Fair, peaceful, Ashworth had seemed to Reuben, +when he thought of it amid the din and gloom of Birmingham, far removed +from the evils of the city. But here, too, were homes darkened by sin, +and innocent sufferers sharing the punishment of the guilty. The fact +that the bitter consequences of sin are rarely confined to the sinner +seemed to Reuben a fresh reason why every true man should gird himself +for a lifelong resistance to temptation.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>The sale of David Grant's house and land took place in the following +week. He had hurried it on, impatient apparently to get it over. The +picturesque old cottage, the oaken furniture, the rare china, the fine +linen, all came to the hammer. He would let his wife retain only the +barest necessaries to furnish the tiny one-roomed cottage which was now +to shelter their grey heads.</p> + +<p>"What does it matter about us?" he asked. "Let us but pay the money, +let us clear our name of the disgrace 'he' has brought on it, and then +the sooner the grave closes over us the better."</p> + +<p>But his wife was of another mind. She was not ready to die until she +had seen her child again. His sin, deeply as she grieved for it, did +not make him less her son. Sometimes it seemed to her that she loved +Owen more now than before he went astray.</p> + +<p>Most of the neighbours came to the sale at David Grant's. It was their +way of showing sympathy with the poor old people, upon whom such a +heavy burden of shame and grief had fallen. Every one hoped that the +sale would go off well and realize a good sum. It was a surprise to +them that David Grant himself was present, seated near the auctioneer. +The old man looked sadly bent and aged. He sat leaning forward, his +hands clasped upon his stout walking-stick, and his eyes upon the +ground. He gave neither word nor glance to any one. Nor did he betray +any sign of emotion, as one after another his household goods and the +relics of his ancestry, which he had prized so much, were put up for +sale.</p> + +<p>When all was over and the people were dispersing, his attitude remained +unchanged. Few of the neighbours had the courage to go and shake him +by the hand. There was that in the old man's heartbroken, hopeless air +which inspired awe. Those who did venture to address him received no +response to their words, only a vacant, scarce-conscious gaze.</p> + +<p>At last the auctioneer, touched by the old man's helpless, dazed +condition, offered to lock up the house and take him round to the +cottage now his home. But David would not have it so.</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay," he said; "I'm not ready yet. I'll lock the door by-and-by. +But first I must bide here a while by myself. I shall never cross the +threshold of my old house again."</p> + +<p>So they left him. But as the evening wore on, his wife, who had not had +the heart to show her face to the neighbours that day, but had busied +herself with trying to make the little cottage look home-like, grew +anxious, and went in search of him.</p> + +<p>The sun had set, and it was twilight as she passed up the well-worn +garden path. She could see the form of her husband seated beneath the +porch about which the roses bloomed so plenteously in the summer. She +went up to him and laid her hand upon his arm.</p> + +<p>"Come, David," she said, striving to speak cheerfully; "come away now. +It's of no use to sit in the gloom and fret. Come away, and let us pray +God to have mercy on our poor lost lad."</p> + +<p>But another voice had called David Grant away, and he would never +respond to words of hers again. The desire of his heart was not +disappointed. He had breathed his last in the old home of his family.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>When the funeral was over and David Grant had been laid to rest with +others of his name in the old churchyard at Ashworth, the widow sent +for Reuben Roy. He obeyed the summons promptly, wondering what she +could want with him. He found her quite calm; indeed, the way she was +bearing up under her heavy sorrows was a marvel to every one. But the +face she raised as Reuben entered the cottage seemed to him only the +more mournful because it showed no trace of tears.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Reuben," she said gently; "I want to have a few words with +you."</p> + +<p>Reuben sat down.</p> + +<p>She did not speak for some moments, and he had time to observe that on +the table lay several things which he recognised as belonging to Owen. +Amongst them was the handsome Bible which Owen had received as a prize +in the Ashworth Sunday-school. How vividly the sight of it recalled to +Reuben's mind the day when Owen had received it, and Mr. Howe's parting +words to the scholars whom he loved! Poor Owen! If only he had heeded +those words! As he thought of Owen's cleverness and the high opinion +Mr. Howe and his teacher had formed of him, and the proud hopes for his +future cherished by his fond parents, Reuben felt a choking sensation, +and it was only by a strong effort that he could keep the tears from +rising in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"You are looking at that Bible," said Mrs. Grant, in low, quavering +tones; "they have sent it to me with other things that Owen left behind +at the place of business. Ah, my poor lad! If he had but made that +Book his guide! And we were proud to think how well he knew it! But it +was only head knowledge, and that will not save any one. There was our +mistake. Ah, poor lad! It were better he had not been so clever."</p> + +<p>"He'll come to himself some day, Mrs. Grant," said Reuben. "I can't +help thinking he'll come to himself some day, like the Prodigal Son, +and turn his face homeward."</p> + +<p>"God grant he may," she said fervently. "Reuben, I've sent for you +because you and Owen were boys together, and I believe you'd have been +a good friend to him if he had been willing. God only knows where my +boy is now. Sometimes I think he has gone a long way off; sometimes +I fancy he may be still in Birmingham. I've had thoughts of going in +search of him, for I've little heart to live on at Ashworth by myself +now everything is changed. But as like as not I should miss him if I +did that, so I think I had better bide here till he comes, as I pray +God he may."</p> + +<p>"I am sure that will be best," said Reuben earnestly. "You must not go +away."</p> + +<p>"Oh, as for that, all places are alike to me now. But, Reuben, I want +you to promise me that if you come across my lad in town, as maybe you +will, you will speak kindly to him, and tell him that his mother is +here, waiting for him and longing for him to come. Send him home to me +if you can, Reuben Roy."</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I will," said Reuben; and having given this promise, he took +his leave of her.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image019" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image019.jpg" alt="image019"></figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image020" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image020.jpg" alt="image020"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_11">CHAPTER XI.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>A CHANGE FOR KATE.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>REUBEN ROY went back to his work in Birmingham looking "like himself," +as his mother fondly said. With fresh hopes and a renewed determination +to acquit himself well, he presented himself the next morning at the +works. The hearty greeting and warm congratulations he received from +old Samuel were but a sample of what awaited him from most of the +"hands." Those who had looked coldly and even scornfully on him in the +time of his trouble were now anxious to atone for their mistake.</p> + +<p>Reuben was touched by the kind words which reached him from all sides, +and the universal pleasure which his return with restored character +seemed to give. But his satisfaction was still greater when Mr. +Akenside told him that he was not to return to his former work, but +was in future to fill a post at the works which involved considerable +responsibility.</p> + +<p>"It has never before been given to one so young as yourself," the +master said. "But I know that I can trust 'you,' Reuben Roy."</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>It was too late when he left the works that evening to go to the +hospital. But the next day being Saturday, Reuben availed himself of +his leisure in the afternoon to visit Kate Barnaby. He was very anxious +to see her, for his mother had entrusted him with a message for the +poor girl, which he believed would give her pleasure.</p> + +<p>He found that Kate had made great advances during his absence. She had +left her bed, and was sitting in a pleasant room adjoining the ward +with some other convalescents, to whom she was chatting with somewhat +of her old brightness. But the change of position and dress only made +more apparent the traces of suffering. Kate looked weak and worn. The +scars on her neck showed plainly, and her head seemed slightly drawn on +one side by them. But she told Reuben with a wistful look that she was +now almost well, and was to leave the hospital early in the following +week.</p> + +<p>"Have you thought where you will go?" he asked.</p> + +<p>She shook her head. "To the old place, I suppose. P'raps you'd be so +kind, Reuben, as to speak to the foreman about my coming back to the +works."</p> + +<p>"You'll not be fit for work yet, Kate."</p> + +<p>"I 'must' be fit soon," she said impatiently; "though, thanks to Mr. +Akenside, I need not trouble about it at once."</p> + +<p>"How would you like to go and stay with my mother at Ashworth, Kate?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reuben," she said, drawing a deep breath, "how I would like it! I +haven't seen the country for ever so long. And I've never spent more +than a day in the country at a time. But what can make you say such a +thing?"</p> + +<p>"It's my mother's own thought, Kate. She told me to ask you if you +would like to come to her for a bit."</p> + +<p>"How good of her! Oh, I should like it. But, Reuben, there are so many +of you at home, and your mother's always so busy. I should be a trouble +to her, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"You don't know my mother if you say that. She never makes a trouble of +anything. She gets through more in a day than most women, I'll be bold +to say, and yet she never seems cross or driven. I think it is because +she has a knack of taking hold of things by the smooth handle."</p> + +<p>"She must be a good woman," said Kate thoughtfully. "But, Reuben, I +don't know about going. You've made the best of me to your mother, I +guess. But when she sees the kind of girl I am, she'll not like me. You +see, I never had no chance of being different."</p> + +<p>"Maybe this is your chance, Kate."</p> + +<p>"Ay, I've thought of that. Do you know, Reuben, I've prayed God many a +time since I've been ill to help me to be different when I got about +again."</p> + +<p>"Then this is the answer to your prayer. Mother 'll help you. She'll +love you, Kate."</p> + +<p>"Love me!" repeated the girl incredulously. "I like that. If she's the +kind of woman I take her to be, she's more likely to look down on me, I +should think."</p> + +<p>"Well, she's not that kind of woman, anyway. And you said just now that +she was a good woman, Kate."</p> + +<p>"But don't the good people always look down on the bad? I should, I +know, if I were good."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't be good if you felt so. And, indeed, no one is good, if +you come to that. No one ever was good save Jesus Christ. But some +of us are trying to follow in His steps, and to be good and true and +loving as He was."</p> + +<p>"And didn't He look down upon wicked people?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, Kate. You know better than that. Don't you remember how kind +and good He was to many a poor outcast—how He forgave them and helped +them to become better? Why, that was one of the things that made the +Scribes and Pharisees so angry with Him. 'This Man receiveth sinners,' +they said."</p> + +<p>"All religious folk are not like that," said Kate. "I've known them +that 'd shrink away from me as though I was something poisonous."</p> + +<p>"Then they did not show the spirit of Christ," said Reuben. "A +Christian is one who calls Jesus Christ his Master, and is bound to +obey Him. Now one of the chief commands of Jesus to His servants is +that they should love others."</p> + +<p>"You do that," said Kate, "and I suppose your mother's like you. I +thank her kindly, Reuben, and I'll go if she's sure she can do with me. +Maybe I'll get religion whilst I'm there."</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll learn to know Him whom to know is life everlasting," +said Reuben, reverently; "that is the only true religion, Kate."</p> + +<p>A few days later Reuben had the pleasure of seeing Kate off by rail for +Ashworth.</p> + +<p>With mingled hopes and fears, the girl set out to begin what was to be +for her in deepest verity a new life.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image021" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image021.jpg" alt="image021"></figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image022" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image022.jpg" alt="image022"></figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_12">CHAPTER XII.</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>A RETURN.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>WE must pass over five years of Reuben Roy's life—years marked by +steady toil and earnest purpose. The toil was not unrewarded, nor the +purpose vain. It is by no means the rule in this life that merit meets +with its just recompense. There are good men and true, who toil all +their lives with unwearying industry, and yet, and apparently through +no fault of their own, never win more than a bare subsistence. And +there are cunning, base, guileful souls who by crooked ways seem with +ease to gain success.</p> + +<p>It is not by its outward results that the worth of a man's life can +be estimated. Yet the Divine justice will not fail. God will surely +crown the victor who, fighting the good fight of faith, overcomes the +world and its manifold temptations, though it may be that in this life +his brows will wear no crown save such as his Master wore—a crown of +thorns. Yet is it better to share the shame and want and suffering of +the Son of man, than the triumph of those who gain the whole world, it +may be at the cost of the life that is life indeed.</p> + +<p>But with Reuben Roy it was otherwise. He had not to withstand the +temptations of failure and poverty, but those that attend success. His +fellow-workers wondered to see how quickly he rose from one responsible +position to another. Some few grumbled and sneered, and various +attempts were made to explain the marvel, none perhaps perceiving that +with Reuben, as with Joseph of old, the "Lord was with him, and made +all that he did to prosper." Grand secret of a blessed life, whether or +not it be crowned with outward prosperity!</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>The years had passed happily with others besides Reuben Roy. They were +the happiest years Kate Barnaby had ever known, for she had spent them +all at peaceful, pretty Ashworth. To such a length had the projected +visit of a week or two been spun out!</p> + +<p>Kate was now like one of the family at Reuben's home, for his mother +had not failed to make good his promise that she would love the poor +friendless, ill-trained girl, who appealed so powerfully to her +motherly sympathies. And Kate, rather to the astonishment of the good +country-woman, had proved so eager to learn, and so quick to imitate +her "ways," that it was quite a pleasure to Mrs. Roy to initiate her +into the mysteries of household management. Kate developed such skill +in the laundry work that Mrs. Roy felt that it would be no charity, but +a positive gain to herself, if she could persuade Kate to share her +home and her toil for the future.</p> + +<p>The offered home was gladly accepted by the girl. She felt strongly +drawn to the happy home life, which was so far removed from all her +former experience. The children took to her, and she to them. An +atmosphere of love seemed to pervade the cottage home. The fair scenes, +the sweet calm of rural life, delighted her. No one would have expected +that the charms of quiet, perhaps sleepy, Ashworth could have long +attracted a rough factory girl, accustomed to the noisy bustling life +of town. But again the unexpected happened. Kate made her decision +without the least hesitation, and it was one she never regretted.</p> + +<p>Reuben was surprised at the change he discerned in Kate at each visit +he made to his home. The girl was rapidly losing her rough, coarse +ways. Her movements, her look, her voice, were all more gentle than +they had been. She had abandoned the frizzled, untidy mop in which she +had delighted, and wore her hair brushed smoothly from her forehead, a +change which Reuben thought a wonderful improvement to her appearance.</p> + +<p>The fresh pure air was making her strong, and the hue of health glowed +in her cheek. A womanly comeliness distinguished her now which she +had lacked before. But her bright and kind expression was her chief +attraction, and the secret of that Reuben knew. For Kate had "got +religion," or, in other words, she had heard the Saviour's "Come unto +Me," and was learning of the meek and lowly One.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>David Grant's old house had stood empty ever since his death. It had +been bought with the land, but the purchaser did not wish to live +there, and he could not let it. There was talk of its being pulled +down and a modern house erected on the spot. But after five years had +passed, it still stood there.</p> + +<p>It had not lost its picturesque appearance. The ivy hung in thick +clusters from its walls; the untrained clematis festooned the old +porch, strangling the branches of the rose tree; but the garden was a +wilderness, and a nearer inspection of the house showed it to be sadly +dilapidated. Nothing had been done to secure it from the ravages of +time, and it was now little better than a ruin, a melancholy symbol +of the desolation sin had brought upon the home life once so full of +gladness.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Grant still dwelt in the tiny cottage to which she had removed. +From year to year she grew more feeble and infirm, till it seemed as if +only the constant hope of her son's return kept her in life. But it was +a hope long deferred. Reuben Roy never failed to visit the old woman +when he came to Ashworth, but he grew to dread meeting the wistful, +longing gaze which he was unable to satisfy. For he could bring her +no tidings of Owen. Reuben was ever on the watch for him, but without +result. Owen had taken himself out of the way of all his old associates.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>A time came when Reuben was sent to London to transact some business +for Mr. Akenside. He was pleased to go. It was a fresh proof of the +confidence his master reposed in him, and he was glad to know that he +was so trusted. Besides, he had never before been in London, and he +had a young man's eager curiosity to see the great city. His business +transacted, he had leisure for sight-seeing.</p> + +<p>It was late autumn, and the nights were raw and cold. As he was +crossing one of the bridges late in the evening on his return to his +lodging, Reuben was struck by the forlorn appearance of a man who stood +leaning over the parapet, gazing with an air of melancholy fascination +at the dark river below. He looked so gaunt and haggard, his attitude +was so hopeless, his clothes so shabby, whilst yet there was a certain +air of respectability about him, that Reuben, having passed him, halted +and looked back.</p> + +<p>"Some poor fellow," he thought, "in the grasp of despair. Is he +tempted, I wonder, to end his misery by a plunge in the river?"</p> + +<p>As he watched him, the idea that the man harboured such an intention +took possession of Reuben's mind so forcibly that he felt it impossible +to pass on and leave him to his fate.</p> + +<p>"At least I will speak to him," he said to himself, "and see if I can +do anything. He shall not perish for want of a helping hand if it is in +my power to aid him."</p> + +<p>He turned back. The bridge was almost deserted at that hour. The man +suddenly raised his head, and looked furtively round, then, seeing +Reuben, he slunk back into his former attitude.</p> + +<p>That instant's glance caused Reuben a shock of surprise. Could it be, +or was he deceived by a fancied resemblance? He strode forward and +grasped the man by the arm.</p> + +<p>He started violently and turned upon Reuben a frightened face.</p> + +<p>"Owen Grant!"</p> + +<p>"Reuben Roy!"</p> + +<p>For a few moments each gazed at the other ere another word was said. +Then Owen tried to wrench himself from Reuben's grasp.</p> + +<p>"Let me go, Reuben Roy. Leave me to myself. I have nothing to do with +you now."</p> + +<p>"But I have with you." Reuben's tone was kind, but firm. "Owen, we were +friends as boys, and you must let me be your friend now. Tell me, where +are you going to sleep to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Sleep? I? Anywhere, nowhere; there, perhaps." He pointed to the dark, +shining surface of the water flowing beneath the bridge.</p> + +<p>"You must share my room to-night, and to-morrow I will take you home to +your mother."</p> + +<p>"Home! To Ashworth!" his voice rose almost to a scream. "Never! I would +rather die than face the old people."</p> + +<p>"You can never again face your father in this life, Owen, and your +mother lives only in the hope of seeing you," said Reuben gravely.</p> + +<p>The news of his father's death quieted Owen. He struggled no more, but +suffered Reuben to lead him where he would.</p> + +<p>And on the following day, after long, earnest talk, he accompanied +Reuben back to Birmingham.</p> + +<p>Reuben had many sad thoughts as he watched him, and mentally contrasted +him with the gay, smart young fellow who had left Ashworth some years +ago to seek his fortune in town. Owen had now a crushed, hopeless air, +a furtive, shrinking gaze which told of inward shame; he looked many +years older than he was, and all his buoyancy and brightness were gone.</p> + +<p>Reuben had far more hope for him than he had for himself. It was +difficult to persuade him that there was yet a chance for him in +life, a chance of regaining self-respect and the esteem of others, a +chance—nay, more than a chance, a blessed certainty—that a new life was +possible for him through faith in Christ Jesus.</p> + +<p>Owen said little as they sat together in the railway carriage. But once +he looked across at his friend, and said half bitterly,—</p> + +<p>"There is no need to ask the question, Reuben. You've done well for +yourself during these years, I can see."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've got on better than I could have expected," said Reuben +simply; "I've much to be thankful for. But I had my trials at first, +though. Real temptations some of them were, too."</p> + +<p>"You're still at Akenside's works?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I hope I may never serve another master. I'm very happy in my +life at Birmingham now."</p> + +<p>"You're not married?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I hope soon to be. I'm just arranging a little home of my +own," replied Reuben, his face breaking into a smile.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Is it one of the Ashworth girls?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly; but she has lived with my mother at Ashworth for the last +five years."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope you'll be happy," said Owen, not over cordially.</p> + +<p>Then a heavy sigh escaped him. He was thinking of his own youth, and +how superior his prospects had seemed to those of Reuben, who had +appeared dull and slow as a lad, and little likely to rise in the +world. His bitter experience was teaching Owen the truth, so often +forgotten, that we reap as we sow.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>The next day, Owen yielded to Reuben's persuasions, and went on to +Ashworth. Reuben would fain have gone with him, but he could not spare +the time, work having accumulated for him during his absence.</p> + +<p>So Owen alighted alone at the little station, and passed up the village +street with a dreary sense that none of the old neighbours recognised +him, and that some were even regarding him with suspicion. Scarce +consciously, he took the familiar path across the fields to his old +home. He reached the gate. Some mischievous hand had torn it from its +hinges, and it lay back against the hedge. At a glance he saw all the +desolation which had come upon the spot once so fair—the grass-grown +path, the tall, flaunting weeds that were choking the few flowers that +yet remained, the rotten thatch, the broken windows of the old house.</p> + +<p>And he had caused it all! He had brought this ruin upon the home which +had been his father's pride! He had brought shame and sorrow upon his +father's grey hairs, and hurried him to his grave! The thought smote +him with a bitter pang. He leaned against the hedge, and a sob escaped +him.</p> + +<p>The next moment a hand was laid upon his arm, and a voice said in +tender, broken accents,—</p> + +<p>"My son! My own dear son come back to me again!"</p> + +<p>It was his mother. She stood beside him, a woman prematurely aged, +leaning upon a stick, but her wan, worn features radiant with joy.</p> + +<p>"Thank God you are come!" she said again—for he could not speak—whilst +she clasped him about the neck and kissed him with a mother's fervent +love.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've come," he said brokenly at last; "but—it is too late."</p> + +<p>"Nay, lad," she said, the tears rolling down her cheeks, "it is never +too late with God. By His grace, you'll win back your good name yet. +And the money's paid, every penny of it. Your father would have it so +before he died. But now, come home."</p> + +<p>Thank God, there is ever an open door for the returning sinner. Thank +God for Him who has paid the debt we have incurred through sin, and +through faith in whom alone, by the influence of His Spirit, our souls +can be set free from the crushing load of guilt.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image023" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image023.jpg" alt="image023"></figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>THE END.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76282 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/76282-h/images/image001.jpg b/76282-h/images/image001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e232145 --- /dev/null +++ b/76282-h/images/image001.jpg diff --git a/76282-h/images/image002.jpg b/76282-h/images/image002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c6469d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/76282-h/images/image002.jpg diff --git a/76282-h/images/image003.jpg b/76282-h/images/image003.jpg Binary files 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