Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-01-27
The Value of q Cent.

~ HLllc lllIIlS W hlllC uDOuC, lOu lilly sttS
but trflcs light as air make and mar our fortune;
then are they not important enough to be mott
ced!
Suppose . child were starving in the streets
what then! Why al penny would buy him bread
enough to recruit his dying energies. Depend
upon it, cent, properly disposed, may, at GER
tain times, do more good than million at 9TH
crS.
A friend Of ours was returning thro' busy
thoroushfare to her home. Her intention was
not to purchase anything, and she happened to
little stand, she saw some very large rich looking
oranges for sale at penny piece. She spoke
for one, took the cent from her pocket, when
suddenly thought arrested her, she could not
help it, but involuntary stayed her hand; it was
this; have just left luxurious table; have
had all l wanted; how foolish in me to spend E.
ven this cent, when may come across some poor
beggar child to whom it may be treasure."-
She replaced the cent, and went on her way.
4 long distance was before her, but as she
came to the head of q small, narrow alley, she
paused ior moment; something seemed to draw
her irrcsistibly towards the place; she knew poor
widow vino lived there, lady like woman, who
supported her children by her own industry, and
she thougt she might just look in upon her for a
moment to ascertain if she was comfortable.
The widow was sitting by small fire, her
five children ranged around the hearth as she
entered the former made her welcome, but in
subdued tones and our friend saw she had been
weeping. With great deicacy she inquired the
cause.
ITO tell You the truth Mrs. NJ said the Wild
ow, while her check crimsoned, ~ have to-day
spent the last tarthng for bread for these chill
dren, and though have work, yet my money
was advanced, and | cannot get more till it is
finished tomorrow. My eldest boy came run
ming home few moments ago from the upper
part of the city, saying that letter was in the
penny's postman's box, with my name upon it,
and the postmark of my native town. 1t may
be of the greatest importance; but am stran-
ger in this ncighborhood; l don't like to expose
my poverty by borrowing, yet have not one
cent"
"And am sorry to tell you that one penny is
all have at present." said our friend, "but that
will enable YOU to get what you wish, and
hope you will find good news it." The letter was
sent for. 1t was written by her fathers sister,
good and pious woman and dependent. She
begged her to come to her early home, from
which her father had long ago expelled her, for
marrying poor man; the old gentleman was
dangerously i'll. might die any moment, he had
spoken of her, he seemed to feel kindly towards
her. and if she could hasten there, his forgiveness
might lc obtained, and she and her five children
made comfortable
There was no time to be lost; on foot and a
lone the widow set out, travelling secure in her
poverty sixty weary miles.
BY midnight her feet for the first time in
twelve years pressed upon the threshold of her
fathers princcly mansion. The good aunt met
her with tears. Tired and travcl-worn as she
was, she ycarncd to behold her old farther before
he died; she hurried to his chamber, gided to
his bedside and without speaking fell upon her
knees. bcscaching only his forgiveness, his bless
ing. How could the demon of vindictivencss
longer rule in that dying mans heart! lie look
cd upon the hollow, grcfworn check OF his only
surviving child, and forgot the past he held forth
his feeble arms, and she fell upon his bosom.
The old father died with the dawn, but not
before he had affixed 4 codic to his will, making
his child and her children heirs to most of his
large estate; and to-day the poor shirt sewer, who
was stitching herselfinto the grave, lives beloved
and respected by rich and poor; her children,
we'll educated, promise to become blessings and
honors to her. Upon her mantle in the best
room is gilded and transparent vase, contain
ING one cent and she often reminds her friends,
that through the instrumcntalltV ot so trfllng
sum, she became enabled to do all the good for
.b of boorfc bless her daily.
So you ser, reader, that penny Is sometimes
Of great value.-Olire Branch