The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-02-19
Gclcttc0.
Treasure On Earth,
A N ID
TREASURE IN HEAVEN.
By ". S ARTHUR.

Mr.. Benedict Pcrcival, one OF the
wra!thiest men in the city sat reading Il
newspaper, VIII n thrct gentl men entered
his coun ing-. Dom in the formal manner iI
whi h committee men usually pcs nj
themselves - esp cially comm ttee men
lprintcd 10 raise Il subscription tor s'm
public cha i,y VII n Mr.. Fercira'
'r.nrd his newspaper that mo ming, the
fist pa agraph that met his eyes was the
tollown-:
At the town meeting hid ycste day
a committee OF three from each Wa d was
appoint d 20 wait upon or citizens to re
ccive their sub>c, iptions in aid Of the su'
f.rers by the late d S uctive fire in our
>iste: city. I his duty will be entered upon
at once We trust that the gentlemen who
have the matter in charge, will meet with
Il hearty reception from ou. libera'- nindcd
and benevolent townsmrn. We may lead
the van in his noble work, if We will. lie,
US d. it,"
Over this Mr.. Percival pond red for
sometime, with bis toIefnger upon his lip
and his eyes up II the ling. At length
as if his action in the matter was definitely
s,ttlcd, he resumed the reading of bis
newspaper, and Was engaged in that agree
able occupation when the committee of
gentlemen .llud to above, called in his
counting room
Good morning, Mr.. Percival." said
the spok' sman.
"Good morning, gentlemen" respond
ed Mr.. Peiclval, Using.
1--WE ned hardly state our bu,n IS, ,
said the spokesman You presil d a
the meeting yesterday, and having assste,
i'll the appointment oi the committees f'l
the several wards, are aware that our duy
in this one is to wai upon ouf ielloa
citizens for their subscriptions. We have
call upon you to get your name at III.
head of the list Having that TO lead of
Wit , our task will be all rasy one, and the
result equal to our bes, hopes. Your
subsc. iriion We of cO,I Sc know Will be
liberal, and that will induce other men OF
ample meals upon whom we shall wait
ia succ s,ion, to pa, do"n large sums. BY
this plan We hope to make our ward
double that amount subscribed by any
'.ther ward in tn city"
I'VE can easily d. that" returned Mr..
percval. 1--WE have wealth enough.
But must dclina heading the list. Let
Nj. RI | ad IF Iie will do ii hand
som ly, without doabt Or, Mr.. S
will start our subscription l,berally."
Th, committee men urged Mr.. Pe,ci-
val to comply wi h tn ii fist quest, but
he was Fl m in clining and ultimately
told them that he had made up bis mind
TO place his name last on the subscription
paper.
A week after this interview, the rich
merchant was again wait 4 upon. The
list needed only his name to compile it.
How much have you got :" he asked.
We have not done as well as we ok
o 'cted," was piled. eff you had led
"tf w should no doubt have done much
be,ter"
"Who headed 'ha list ,"
"Mr. r.
"With how much -
"Ona hund I'd dollars"
Hum h! 1t me sac the paper"
| II was hanl 4 to I @ me chant. Hp
ran his ~ ovr it, saying half aloud as
he did 90
g One hun lr ID on hun lr,d nothing
abov. bundled. What does it all
amount to -
Five thnns'nd dollars
The merchant took up lis pm and
wrote Iii name with a flourish. Opposite
to it h placed nun raj and tire 'cy hers
with the d,llar ma k b fore tn ~, thus -
5000. Then, with bow, and a glow
Of self satisfaction upon his face, he hand