Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-10-04

hdhIc VI MALCOLM leIi, ana when his VS.
tier ceased, he replied in a changed and
husky voice, clearing his throat two or
three times as he spoke.
Are you sure she is deserving, Mr.. I.v-
! on The mans manner had become ex-
ceedingly grave.
None more so,' was the prompt an
swer. She is III poor health, and has
three children to support with tie product
OF her needle. If any one needs assist
ance it is Mrs. Arnold
oh ah The widow of Jacob Ar
mold 2
The same, replied Andrew Lyon.
Malcom's face did not brighten with
feeling of heart-warm benevoence. But
he turned slowly away, and opening his
money drawer, oery stO'ciy toyed with
his fingers amid its contents. At lengh he
took therefrom a dollar bill, and said, as he
presented 1t to Lyon-sighing, inyolunta-
rily, as he did So
suppose | must do my part But
we are called upon so ofen.'
The ardOr of Andrew Lyons benevo-
| lent feelings suddenly cooled at this unex-
pected reception. lie had entered upon
his work under the glow of pure enthu-
slasm; anticipating hearty response the
| moment his errand was made known.
Il thank you in the widows name,' said
( he, as he took the dollar. When he turned
from Mr.. Malcolm's store, it was with a
pressure on his feelings, as if he had asked
the codly given favor for himself.
1t was not without an effort that Lyon
compelled himself TO call upon Mr. Green,
considered the next best man on his list.
But he entered his place of business with
far less confidence than he had felt when
calling upon Malcolm. His story told,
Green, without word or smile, drew two
half dollars from his pocket, and presented
them.
Thank you,' said Lyon.
Welcome returned Green.
Oppressed with feeling of embarrass-
ment, Lyon stood for few moments.
Then bowing, he said
Good morning.
Good morning. was coldly and formal
ly responded.
And thus the alms-seckcr and alms-giver
parted.
Better be at his shop. attending to his
work, muttercd Green to himself, as his Wis
tier retired Men amt very apt to get
along too well in the world who spend
their time in begging for every object of
charity that happens to turn up. And
there are plenty of such, dear knows.
He's got a dollar out of me; may it do
him, or the poor woman he talked so glib
ly about, much good
Cold water had been poured upon the
feelings of Andrew Lyon. He had raised
two dollars for the poor widow, but, at
what sacrifice for one so sensitive as
himself. Instead of keeping on in his
work OF henevolence, he went to his shop,
and entered upon the days employment
How disappointed he felt and this dis
appointment was mingled with certain
sense of humiliation, as if he had been
asking aims for himself.
Catch me at this work again = he said,
half aloud, as his thoughts dwelt upon
what had so recently occurred. But this
is not right he added, quickly. 1t is a
weakness III me to feel so. Poor Mrs.
Arnold must be relieved; and it is my du-
ty to see that she gets relief. had no
thought Of a reception like this. People
can talk of benevolencc; but putting the
hand i'll the pocket is another affair alto
gether. | never dreamed that such men
as Malcolm and Green could be insensible
to an appeal like the one | made
I've got two dollars towards paying
Mrs. Arnold's rent, he said to himself, in
a more cheerful tone, sometime afterwards
land it will 60 hard if | don't raise the
whole amount for her. All are not like
Green and Malcolm. Jones is kind
hearted man, and will instantly respond TO
the call of humanity. Ill 90 and see him
SO, off Andrew Lyon started to see this
individual.
I've come begging, Mr.. Jones' said he,
on meeting him. And he spoke i'll frank,
pleasant manner.
Then youve come TO the wrong shop
that's all have to say,' was the blunt an
swer.
Don't say that, Mr.. Jones. Hear my
story first
Il do say it, and I'm in earnest re-
turned Jones. i feel as poor as Jobs
turkey to-day
| only want a dollar to help a poor
widow pay her rent said Lyon.
'Oh, hang all the poor widows! If
that's your game, you'll get nothing here.
I've got my hands full to pay my own
rent A nice time I'd have in handing out
dollar to every poor widow in town to
help pay her rent No, no, my friend,
you can't get anything here
Just you feel about it, said Andrew
Lyon. There's no compulson in the
matter
No, | presume not was rather coldly
replied.
Lyon returned TO his shop, still more
disheartened than before. He had under
+cl- IL, IL