Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-05-27
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN.

| The boy turned and walked quickly away
His step was much lighter than it was when ne
came to school, for now there was hope again IN
his young heart.
The night that succeeded to this day was very
cold. The wind swept round to the north east
towards evening, and brought a heavy snow
storm, that thinned the streets of passengers
After an early tea, the young teacher, with two
dollars in her pocket, Que received from the
principal of the school, and the other her W
contribution, set forth on the errand OF mercy
she had proposed to herself, which was to obtain,
from such persons as she knew, and felt free to
call upon, a sum sufficient to pay the poor wild
owls rent. One or two upon whom she called,
declined giving any thing, saying that If the
woman was not able to pay her rent, she had
better 60, with her children. to the aims house,
where she and they would be well taken care
Of They disapproved, from principle, of pri-
vate charities-it did more harm than good
Others gave her small sums, such as quarter and
half doIlars-and one poor widow put in a dol.
lar from her little store. Those who were most
able gave the least. 1t was past nine O'Clock
before the sum needed was made up,
With a light heart, the undetermined young
girl started for the humble abode of the dis
t tressed widow. On her way thither, bending
5 in the fierce gusts of wind and snow, she passed
the splendid dwelling of Benedict Percival, Esq,
the benevolent merchant. He sat in his parlor,
| with his family around him, musing upon the
act that had for some days engrossed most Of
r his thoughts, more than half inclined to think
S that the public did not fully appreciate what
S he had done, and in an i~ncipient state of re-
d %pentance for having thrown such a large sum Of
n money away, when a thousand dollars would
e have done Just as well. While the young girl
hurried by in the storm, her heart already re-
ceiving the rich reward that true beneVolence is
$ sure to bring-a reward incomparably create
: than what comes as the result of deeds Of char
d ity, no matter how muniicent, done for thu
praise of men.
Usually, Charles retired early but this eve
k ming he sat up, hopefully awaiting the coming
of his teacher. Since seven o'clock, he haC
F. eagerly listened to the sound of every approach
ing f%ootstep, and often had his young heart grown
almost sick with disappointment.
Hadn't you better 60 to bed, Charles, SAT-
t. his mother, long before nine o'clock. 1T is to-
r stormy a night for your teacher to come out
r. am snre she will not be here
'Ob, yes she will! | know she will come re
or piled the boy. And thus he answered, ever
I'd time his mother urged him to go to bed.
M Time had stolen on, until it was near tie
IaJI-oL III u;,J .o,.oJ ,,;,bo,4 and al,
e. snow rushed against the windows. The wide,
/. looked up from her work, and was about repeal
ing her request that Charles would 60 to bed
er when she observed that he had fallen asleep i
rs his chair. Her heart was touched as sne look
ed at the unconscious boy, and thought of til
,k share in her troubles he had voluntarily assumed
d. While her eyes still rested upon him, there cam
Ne a low rap at the door. On opening it a youn
and slender girl stepped in a few PAGES, sayin
re as she did So
4 promised your little boy that | would ca
and see you tonight. l thought to have BEEF
Heaven has sent you, through me, enough none
to pay your rent tomorrow. Here it is Sh
in handed the widow a small package Of money
he 1t comes from those who have hearts 10 feel fc
Is others
Then partly turning away, and before III
a, woman had time to say any thing she added
2, 1T is late, and | must hurry home. Mott
S. er will be uneasy at my staying so long away =
le Good night. Charles, | see, has fallen ASLEEP
s. but he will know | have been here. Goo
lie night
RS And ere the widow could utter a word
III thanks, she was away.
lie That night, Mr.. Benedict Percival lay awak
Is for hours, unable to sleep for thinking of tn
e, error he had doubtless committed, in givin
Y, five thousand dollars for the benefit of lhos
It. who had suffered by the fire, when one thou
ly sand would have told quite as well upon tn
public. Moth and rust we're already begin
III ming to corrupt the treasure he had laid up o
the earth.
The head OF the young teacher had not pres
+ ed its pillow long, before all her senses wei
a locked in gentle slumber, Sweet dreams al
companied her through the night, and when til
sun smiled in at her windows in the morning
she blessed the day and was happy. She ha
te laid up a treasure in Heaven.