Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-06-17
NUMBER Al.

lis any one sick at home 7 asked the teacher.
NO, Ma'am, the lad family replied.
The young girl for the teacher was quite young,
stood slen, moment. She knew that the mother
Of the boy was poor and from the peculiar way in
which he was distressed, she Immediately suspected
that something was wrong AT home
is anything the matter at home that you would
like to tell me 7 she asked
BY this time most ofthe children had left the room
and the teacher and the lad stood quite alone Tho
tears that had been binding the latter since his
teacher had spoken to him. now fell over his cheeks
freely But in a little while he able to restrain
them, when he told Of the distress his mother was
n aud how, if The rent was paid in the morning,
her thugs would all be taken away from her, and
they turned out of doors. He also related, in
earnest and artless manner, how he had called
upon Mr. Perciyal without saying any thing TO his
mother, hoping that he would lend them money to
pay their rent. When he told Of the cruel and UNI
expected repuIse with which he had met, his tears
flowed again.
But the man certainly will not do IS be has
threatened said the teacher.
oh, yes he will replied Charles. He sold ev-
erything Mrs Ellis had, this winter, because she
didn't pay him his rent and she had to take little
George and Mary and go TO the poor-house. Oh.
yes-he will do It,.
How much rent does -FOUR mother owe?
Seven dollars
The young teacher again silent and thought
full If she had possessed the sum required. how
gladly would she have placed it in the hands of the
boy, and sent him home with glad tidings TO his
mother But it took all of her salary to support
widowed mother, in bad health, and she had there
fore nothing TO spare
GO home Charles, she at length said, and tell
your mother that will come and see her tonight
Something must be done 10 prevent this man dis
tresing her.
The boy turned and walked quickly away. His
step much lighter than il when he 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 northeast to-
wards evening, and brought heavy storm,
that thinned the streets of passengers. After an
early tea the young teacher with two dollars in her
pocket, one received from the principal Of the
school and the other her own contribution, set forth
on the errand OF mercy she had proposed TO her
self, which was to obtain from such persons she
knew, and felt free TO call upon, sum sufficient to
| pay the poor widows rent. One or two upon whom
she called declined giving any thing, saying that il
tho woman was not able TO pay her rent, she had
better CO. with her children, to the alms-house,
| where she and they would be well taken care Of
They disapproved from principle, Of private char
ites-they did more harm than good. Others gave
her small sums, such quarter and half dollars
and one poor widow put in dollar from her little
store Those who most able gave the least.
made up.
With light heart the noble minded young girl
started for the humble abode of the distressed Wild
| ow. On her way thither, bending in the fierce
gusts of wind and snow, she passed the splendid
dwelling of Benedict Perciyal, Esq the benevolent
merchant. He sat in his luxurious parlor, with his
/ family around him, musing upon the act that had
for days engrossed most Of his thoughts, more
than half inclined to think that the public did not
fully appreciate what he had done, and in an incip-
lent state of repentance for having thrown such
large sum Of money away, when thousand dollars
would 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
to brng--a reward incomparably greater than
what comes the result of deeds Of charity, no
matter how munihcent, done for the praise Of men,
Usually, Charles retired early; but this evening
he sat up, hopefully awaiting the coming Of his
teacher. Since o'clock he had eagerly listen
ed to the sound of every approaching footstep, and
often and often had his young heart grown almost
! sick with disappointment.
Hadn't you better go TO bed, Charles said his
mother long before nine o'clock 1t is too stormy
a night for your teacher to come out, l am sure
she will not be here
oh yes she will | know she will come, replied
the boy. And thus he answered every time his
J mother urged him to go TO bed.
Time had stolen until it was ten o'clock.
, The wind roared without, and the rushed
against the windows, The widow looked up from
her work, and about repeating her request that
Charles would go to bed, when she observed that
' he had fallen asleep in his chair. Her heart was
touched as she looked at the unconscious boy, and
. thought Of the share in her troubles that he had
! voluntarily assumed While her eyes still rested
upon him there low rap at the door. On
opening it, young and slender girl stepped in
E few PAGES, saying as she did So
n 4 promised your little boy that would call and
see you to night. thought TO have been here
b lier, but couldn't get round sooner. Heaven has
F.; sent you, through me, enough money to pay your
: rent tomorrow. Here il is' She handed the Wild
ow small package Of money. 1t comes from
v these who have hearts to feel for others Then
partly turning away, and before the woman had
n time 10 say any thing, she added-It is late, and
y must hurry home Mother will be uneasy at my
e staying so long away Good night Charles, l
see, has fallen asleep, but he will know have been
is here. Good nightp And ere the widow could ut
II ter word OF thanks, she was away.
/, That night Mr. Benedict Percval lay awake for
d hours unable to sleep for thinking Of the he
IS had doubtless committed, in giving FIVE thousand
dollars for the benefit of those who had suffered by
d the fire. when one thousand would have told quite
s. as well on the public Moth and rust were already
beginning TO corrupt the treasure he had laid up on
E, the earth.
10 The head Of the young teacher had not pressed
ID liz pillow long before all her senses were locked
ID in gentle slumber. Sweet dreams accompanied
her through the night, and when tbs sun smiled IN
at her windows in the morning she blessed the day
and was happy. She had laid up treasure ~