Now or Never

w-one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate. Perhaps by this time they have become so far inte

up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house. But the widow Bright, Bobby's mother, thought it was a very comfortable house, and considered herself very fortunate in being able to get so good a dwelling. She had never lived in a fine house, knew nothing about velvet carpets

onsidered very good wages in the country. He was a very honest, industrious man, and while he lived, his family did very well.

s to get ahead in the world. Some merchants, who own big ships and big warehouses by the dozen, desire to be what they consider rich. But their idea of wealth is very grand. They

they resided, so that they could not only be sure of a home while they lived, but have the satisfaction of living in their own house. This was a very reasonable ideal,

than many people do of a thousand dollars. He had had to work very hard and be very

o own the little black house. He felt as grand as a lord; and as soon as the forty-nine dollars had become fifty,

gain with an honest, industrious, poor man, like John Bright, who wished to own the house in which he lived; but Mr. Hardhand, although he was rich,

s daily earnings. So he talked with Squire Lee about it, who told him that three hundred was all it was worth. John offered this for it, and after a month's hesitat

ecause this debt which his father contracted was the means of m

ame due, the poor man was laid in his cold and silent grave. A malignant dis

ow that she had better go to the poorhouse, and not attempt to struggle along with such fearful odds against her. But the widow nobly refused to become a pauper, and to make paupers of her children, whom sh

he poor woman; and when he returned to his house, he immediately sent her a cor

and no false pride prevented her from acceptin

acturing of boots and shoes, and this business ga

them. To this business she applied herself with renewed energy. There was a large hotel in Riverdale Centre, where several families from

ve a little money towards paying for the house. Mr. Hardhand, by the persuasions of S

d to "close," and helped his mother a great deal; but the confinement and the stooping posture did not agree with his health, and his mother was obliged to dispense with his assistance. But the devoted little fellow foun

es, and two of them the scarlet fever, so that Mrs. Bright could not work much. Her affairs were not in a very prosperous condi

. But the first of July came, and she had only five dollars of the sum she had partly promised her creditor. She could not so easily recover from the disasters of the hard winter, and she had but j

aught those pouts, caught the horse, and

lord. He had fish enough in his basket for dinner, and for breakfast the next morning, and m

the first of July, had not told her son anything about it. It would only make him unhappy, she reasoned, and it was needles

iderate boys who love their mothers do, before they go into the house, he heard the angry tones of Mr.

Spicer, only a few moments before; but Bobby, as we have before intimated, was a peaceful boy, an

mother in that style?" said he to himself. "I

icked out in return. He could battle with Mr. Hardhand, but not with the power which his wealth gave him; so

ze that Mr. Hardhand's burden was his wealth, his love of money; that it made him little better than a Hotte

he entered the room where Ha