Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-08-25

"Sii down, dear" he said, IN a trenl.
bling voice, II have something to say 10
you that must be no longer concealed"
Florence looked wonderingly into her IA.
TIERS face, while her heart began to sink
Just then a servant opened the door aud
ushered in a stranger. He was n tall, fine
looking man just in the prime Of life.
Florence quickly retired, but not before
the visitor had fixed his eyes upon her face,
and marked its sweet expression.
Pardon this intrusion, sir" he said, as
soon as the young girl had lel the room /;
"but facts that | have learned this evening,
have prompted me to call upon you with.
out a moments delay. My name is Greer,
Of the firm of Greer, Miller g. Co."
Mr. Mason bowed, and said
81 know your house very well aud now
remember to have met you more than once
in business transactions"
Eyes. You bought one or two bills of
goods from u.s. replied the visitor. Then
after a moments pause he said, in a chang
ed tone
"Mr Mason, | learned tonight, from a
source which leaves me no room TO doubt
the truth Of the statement, that your affairs
have become seriously embarrassed. That
you are, in fact, on the eve Of bankruptcy.
Tell me frankly, whether this is indeed so.
! ask from no idle curiosity, nor from a
concealed and sinister motive, but to the
end that ] may prevent the threatened dis
oster, II il is in my power 10 do So"
MIR Mason was dumb with surprise at so
unexpected a declaration. He made two
or three efforts to speak, but his lips utter.
ed no sound.
"Conhde in me, SIR" urged the visitor.
Trust me as you would trust your
brother, and lean upon me. If your strength
is indeed failing. Tell me, then is il as !
have said ?"
" II u.s." was all the merchant could ut
ter.
How much will save you, Mention
the sum, and if within the compass of my
ability to raise. you shall have it in hand
tomorrow. Will twenty thousand dollars
relieve you from your presen, embarrass-
ment :"
"Fully."
"'rhcn let your anxiety subside, Mr. Ma
son. That sum you shall have. To.mor-
row morning | will see you. Good eve.
ming" The visitor arose and was gone be-
fore his bewIldcred auditor had sufficient
ly recovered his senses TO know what to
think or say.
In the morning, true to his promise, Mr.
g. called upon Mr. Mason, and rendered a
check for ten thousand dollars, with his
note OF hand at thirty days for the ten thou
aaud rnnrn srltrh tr.u nlnnnsi Iha N ne
money.
him upon the desk, AND ere he had offered
10 touch them, Mr. Mason looked earnestly
ri the man who had so suddenly taken
the character Of a disintercsicd, self.sacri6c-
ing friend, and said
MY dear sir, | cannot understand this.
Are you not laboring under some error y
ooh, no. You once did me a service
that | am now only seeking to repay. IL is
my first opportunity, aud embrace it ca.
gerly."
did you a service. When I"
Twenty years ago." replied the man.
81 was a poor boy aud you were 4 man Of
wealth. One hot day | was sent a long dis
lance with a heavy basket. While toIling
up a hill. with the hot sun upon me, aud
almost overcome with heat and fatigue, you
came along. and not only spoke 10 me
kindly, but took my basket and carried it
up to the top Of the hill. All, sir, you did
not know how deeply that act of kindness
sunk into my heart, and | longed for the
opportunity TO show you by some act how
grateful | felt. But none came. Ofien, Of
toru..xIs III I .oat NON IN the s,raa, ond
look into your face with pleasure. But
you did mol remember me. Ever since, |
have regarded you with different feelings
from those ! entertained for others and
there has been no time that | would not
haze put myself out To serve you. Last
night | heard Of your endorsements, and
Immediately called upon you. The rest
you know"
Mr. Mason was astonished at so strange
a declaration.
do you remember the fact 10 which ]
allude 7" asked Mr. Greer.
at has faded from my external memory
entirely but your words have brought
back dim recollection Of the fact. But
it was a little matter, sir, a very little mat
ter, and not entitled 10 the importance you
have given it,"
"To me ii is not little matter, sir" re-
turned Mr. Greer. IL was a weak boy, JUS
sinking under a burden that was too heavy
when you put forth your hand and carried
it for me. l could not forget il. Ant
now let me return the favor, at the first op
poriunity, by carrying your burden for you
which has become too heavy for you, un
Ill the hill is assembled, and you are able II
bear ii onward again in your own strength
Mr. Mason was deeply moved. Word
failed him in his efforts TO express his tru'
feelings. The bread cast upon the waller
had returned nfter many days. and he gath
cred il with wonder and ihanklulness.
The merchant was saved from ruin
Nor was this all. The glimpse which NJ
Greer had received from the lovely daugf
ter of MIR Mason, revealed a character Q
beauty that impressed him deeply, and h
embraced the Grsl opportunity TO meke he
acquaintance. A year afterwards he lie
her to the altar.
A kind act is never lost, even thong
done 10 a child.
ONLY one LoRD IN AMERICA Som
So ..-il L IL -.