Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-08-03

Der to have met you more than once in business
| transactions
Yes. You bought one or two bill of goods
from us, replied the visitor Then after mo-
ments pause he said, in changed VOICE
| Mr.. Mason, learned tonight, from a source
which leaves me no room to doubt the truth of
the statement, that your affairs have become Sc
riously 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 concealed and sinister motive, but to
the end that | may prevent the threatened disas-
ter, if it is in my power to do So"
Mr. Mason was dumb with surprise at so UNI
expected declaration He made two or three
efforts to speak, but his lips uttered no sound
" Conhde in me, sir" urged the visitor
Trust me as you would trust your own brother,
and lean upon me, if your strength be indeed
failing Tell me then; is it as | have said 2"
" Ii is" was all the merchant could utter
=" How much will save you! Mention the sum
and if within the compass of my ability to raise,
yon shall have it hand tomorrow, Will twenty
thousand dollars relieve you from present embar-
rassmentr
" Fully"
That sum you shall have. Tomorrow morn
ing will see you. Good evening" The vsi-
tor arose and was gone before his bewildered
auditor had sufficiently recovered his senses to
to know what to think or say.
In the morning, true to his promise, Mr. Greer
called upon Mr. Mason and rendered check
for ten thousand dollars, with his note of hand
at Thirty days for the ten thousand MORE which
was almost the same as the money.
While the check and note lay before him upon
the desk, and ere he had offered to touch them
Mr.. Mason looked earnestly at the man who
had so suddenly taken the character of a disin-
terested selfsacriicing friend, and said
"My dear sir, cannot understand this. Are
you not laboring under some crrorl"
ooh, no. You once did me service that
now only seeking to repay. 1t is my first oppor-
tunty, and embrace it eagerly"
Did you service. When"
Twenty years ago." replied the man, " l
was poor boy and you we're a man Of wealth.
One hot day was sent a long distance with a
heavy basket. While tolllng up hill, with the
hot sun upon me, and almost overcome with
heat and fatigue, you came along, aud not only
spoke to me kindly but took my basket and
carried it to the top Of the hill. All, sir, you
did not know how deeply that act of kindness
sunk into my heart, and onged for the oppor-
tunty to show you by some act how grateful
felt. But none came Often, afterward, did
meet you in the street, and look into your face
with pleasure. Ever since | have regarded you
with different feelings from those | have enter
tanned for others; and there has been no time
that | would not have put myself out to serve
you Last night heard your embarrassments,
and Immediately called upon you. The rest you
know"
Mr. Mason was astonished at 50 strange de-
claratlon
" Do you remember the fact to which al
lude" asked Mr. Greer.
" 1t had faded from my external memory en-
tireIy; but your words have brought back dim
recollection of the fact But it was a little mat
ter, sir, very little matter, and not entitled to
the importance you have given it."
" To me it is not a little matter, sir, return
ed Mr.. Greer. g was weak boy, just sink
ing under burden that was too heavy, when
you put forth your hand and carried it for me.
| could not forget it. And now let me return
the favor, at the first opportunity, by carrying
your burden for you, which has become too heavy,
until the bill is assembled, and you are able to
bear it onward again in your own strength"
Mr.. Mason was deeply moved. Words failed
him in his efforts to express his true feelings
The bread cast upon the water had returned to
him after many days, and he gathered it with
wonder and thankfulness.
The merchant was saved from ruin. Nor was
this ALL The glimpse which Mr.. Greer had re-
ceved of the lovely daughter of Mr.. Mason, re
yeaIed a character of beauty that impressed him
deeply, and he embraced the first opportunity to
make her acquaintance. A year afterwards he
led her to the altar.
A kind act is never lost even though done to
child