Now or Never

ad in his pocket. He loved his mother; he knew how hard she had worked for him and his brother and sisters; that she had burned the "midnight oil" at h

sick beds of her children, so that she could not earn so much money

cumstances of his mother's position, and the more he consi

asket of fish on his arm, the little crusty ol

, and eating you out of house and home," said the wretch. "

d boy," meekly respo

lubber like him, living on his mother!" and

r," interposed the ins

. Why don't y

o wo

waste your time pa

don

r, who, like all men of small souls, was willing to take advantage

r. Hardhand," replied Bobby, whose indignation w

ardhand, aghast at th

in; and no decent man would go to the

d the little old man, his gr

saucy to the gentleman

to horsewhip him for i

, shaking his head significant

ar such impudence!"

on't," pleaded t

to come here and abuse my mother," contin

esn't pay it, you young scoundrel!" an

r. You can call me what you please, but you

is a miserabl

ld man, I'll hit you for it. I'm big eno

repeated the offensive expression, or any other of a similar import. He was roused to the highest pi

epithets which no good son could calmly hear applied to a mother. Besides, Bobby, though his heart was a large one, and was in the right place, had never been educated into those nice distinctions of moral right and wrong

u are in a passion,

eating the offensive language-and I have no doubt he was surprised; for he l

of myself. All I want of you is not to insult my mother. You

d he was effectually intimidated by the bold and manly co

me, marm?" said he, e

ve been able to save only five dollar

e here again, where I am liable to be kicked by this ill-bred cu

ught upon us, Bobby," exclaimed

et the law ta

oment, Mr. Hardhand

e;" and Mr. Hardhand placed h

His passion had subsided, and he realized that he had

handkerchief in which he had deposited the precious gold,-doubly precious now, because it would enable him to retrieve the error into which h

hirty-five dollars;" and

" exclaimed

im, and I will tell you

and all in gold! Where

nd it now

ed the glittering gold; and removing his hand

s now," said Mrs. Bright, taking the fiv

, ma

ating himself at the table, indorse

ously, as he returned the note to his po

h me now, when I have pai

Mr. Hardhand, assuming the most benevolent look he could command. "There was a time when I was very willing to help yo

been paid punctually," sug

ld have waited as long as I have for

xclaimed Bobby,

," said Mrs. Bright, fearing a

help us!" ej

any one but himself; and during the whole period of his relations with the poor widow, he had oppressed,

onduct, but determined to be revenged, if it could be accomplished without losing any part of the sixty dollars still

elt very uneasy about it. The wretch still had the power

r it-contempt and insults! You will hear from me again in a day

replied Bobby, with

not done your duty to him. You have been remiss, marm!" continued

by, springing from his chair, and approac

u stump me

of the house than insulted by such a drie

Bobby," plead

o-morrow, the law shall take its course;" and Mr. Hardhand ru

xclaimed Mrs. Bright, when the ha

r you insulted and abused; and I thought when I heard him do

ut of the house; and w

all right. I have friends who are ric

ars is a great deal of money, and if we should

l as though I could do something n

can yo

from the scene to the busy world, where fortunes are ma

not told me where yo

see, and I will te

sherman's luck; so he seated himself at the table, and gave hi

welled with admiration in view of the generous deed, and she thanked God that she was the mother of such a son. She felt more conf

oor step. His mind was absorbed by a new and brilliant idea;

he rose and walked down the