Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-05-20
Selected Gales.
From The Phiiod. Saturday Evesing Post.
TREASURE ON EARTH,
AND TREASURE IN HEAVEN.
by II. X. Arthur.

wealthiest men in the city, sat reading a
newspaper, when three gentlemen en-
tered his counting room 10 the formal
manner in which committee men usually
present themselves-e especially commit
tee men appointed to raise a subscription
for some public charity. When Mr.
Percival opened his newspaper that
morning, the first paragraph that met his
eye was the following
AT the town meeting held yesterday,
a committee OF three from each ward
was appointed to wait upon our citizens
10 receive their subscriptions IN aid Of the
sufferers by the late destructive FIRE 10
our sister city. This duty will be en-
tered upon at once. We trust that the
gentlemen, who have the matter in
charge, will meet with hearty recep-
ton from our liberal minded and benevo-
lent townsnen. We may lead the van
in this noble work, if we will. Let us do
it,
Over this Mr.. Percival pondered for
some time, with his lorefinger upon his
lip and his eyes upon the ceiling. At
length, as If his action IN the matter were
definitely settled, he resumed the read.
ing Of his newspaper, and was engaged
in that agreeable occupation when tie
committee ofgentlemen,alluded TO above,
called in at his counting room.
\ Good morning, Mr.. Percival, suid
the spokesman.
n Good morning. gentlemen responded
Mr.. Percival, rising.
Il I'VE need hardly state our business
said the spokesman. you presided at
the meeting, yesterday, and, having as
sisted in the appointment Of the commit
tees for the several wards, are aware
that our duty, in this one, is to wait upon
our fellow citizens for their subscr iptions.
We have called upon you to get your
name al the head of the list. Having
that to lead off with, our task will be an
easy one, and the result equal to our best
hopes. Your subscription, we OF course
know will be liberal, and that will induce
other men Of ample means, upon whom
we shall wait, in succession. to put down
large sums. BY this plan, we hope 10
make our ward double the amour, sub
scribed by any other ward in the city.
'We can easily do that, returned Nv.
Percival. I'VE have wealth enough
But must decline heading the list. Let
MIR. R lead Off He will do il hand
somely, without doubt Or, Mr.. s.
will start your subscription literally
\ The committee men urged Mr.. Pev-
cival to comply with their first request,
bu, he was firm in declinins ; and ulli-
mately tod them that he had made up
his mind to place his name las, upon the
subscription paper.
A week after this interview, the rich
merchant was again waited upon. The
list needed only his name to complete it.
| 'How much have you 60, ? he asked.
Il 'We have not done as well as we .x-
pected, was replied. 'lf you had led
off, we should no doubt have done much
better.
'Who headed the list p
'Mr r.
with how much p
'One hundred dollars
'Humph Let me see the paper
1t was handed to the merchant. Tie
ran his eyes over it saving, half aloud
as he did So
One hundred - one hundred - one
hundred nothing above a hundred
What does it all amount ~ "
Five thousand dollars
The merchant took up pen and
wrote his name with flourish. Oppo-
site to it he placed numeral and three
cyphers, with the dollar mark before
them, tbus-S5,0o0. Then. with q bow,
aud a glow VI seII-ss,isiac,ion upon his
face, he handed the paper back to the
gentlemen who had waited upon him.
/ 'Nobly done, MIR. Psrcival,' said the
spokesman. you have saved the cred
i, of our ward. have strong hopes, now,
that we shall lead any two Of them
pu, together.
| Two or three days sf,er this, the news