The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-07-20

now fully convinced that Mrs. Evans is
right, and that in order to be truly charita
ble we must first regard the interests oil
those whom Providence has placed pecu-
liarly under our care"
THAT is undoubtedly truc," replied the
husband. "Another time you will be bet
ter able to withstand the persuations of
the charitable ladies who in perfect igno-
rance Of the circumstances of those to
whom they apply, often enforce their
CLAIMS IN a manner exceedingly annoying.
But the little debt to Alice-has it vet
been discharged 7"
u am grlevcd to say that it has not
Ellen's illness has put everything else out
OF my mind. l hope the poor girl has not
suffered from the want Of such trihnr
sum-"
at may not be triHing to her, Lucv.-
Give me the number, and will 90 at once
and settle it."
A short walk brought Mr.. Williams to
the door of the comfortlcss dwelling, one
room of which was occupied by Alice and
\ her mother
His knock was answered by tidy
looking woman, who directed him to their
apartment, saying, as she did so,--
"Ihe poor woman is very low, sir.
fear she has not many DAYS to live"
The inner door was opened by Alice,
herself, who Immediately recognized Mr..
Williams, whom she had several times
seen when at work at his house.
walk in, sir" she said, in a f,ltering
voice, my mother is very i'll, and | can
not leave moment"
The appearance Of the apartment be
spoke extrere poverty, although there
was an air Of neatness which rendered it
attractive. The sick woman lay on a bed
in one corner, but her eyes were closed,
and she did not seem to notice that any
zone had entered.
=" Has your mother been long i'll I" asked
Mr.. Williams, in low voice.
"For many months, sir, but for the last
ten days she has failed rapidly"
And are you not in nee of some as.
slstance, my good girl! called to pay
the dollar which has been too long due
but IN your present situation, other reet
is necessary, for you have DO longer leis,
ure to attend to your usual employment
Alice burst into tears. Indeed, sir
she sobbed out, "the dollar will do much
for our comfort. The last bit Of fuel which
| have in the world is on the fire, and |
knew not where to procure the means tc
purchase more. But we have never We,
been reduced to asking charity"
Nevertheless, you must allow others to
make you comfortable, now that you are
unable to provide for yourselves" was the
reply. my own means are limited, but
will do what | can, and there are others
who will do more. Sickness in our own
family must excuse Mrs. Williams for her
neglect in not sending you the money as
she promised. Make yourself quite easy
as to fuel. 1t shall be sent you immedi-
atey, and if you like l will request my
own physician to attend your mother"
BLESS YOU for your Kindness" replied
the sobbing giil. at is hard to be friend.
less and alone" and with a grateful heart
she saw Mr.. Williams depart on his be-
nevolent GRAND.
Ere the usual hour for retiring to rest,
she was in possession Of more comforts
than she had known for long time, and
all fears, lest her dying mother should
suffer from causes which human aid might
relieve, were at an end.
But the kind physician, who, at the
request Of Mr.. Williams, soon visited her,
gave no encouragement that life could be
prolonged beyond n few brief days.
When the convalescence Of little Ellen
permitted Mrs. Williams to visit the hum.
bic dwelling, she found Alice alone in her
grief. The poor sufferer had gone to rest.
Sand now, Alice, you must come home
with me, for the present. at least" said
her sympathising friend, as the lonely
girl poured out her sorrows. "You tell
me that you are alone in the world. We
will gladly protect you; and the assistance
which you can render me in my domestic
duties will be an ample reco npense.
have the full consent Of Mr.. Williams to
this plan, so you need not hesitate"
"My Heavenly Father has indeed raised
up friend in my hour of need" was the
grateful reply. "There have been mo-
ments when | have been almost led to
distrust His providence, when have seen
my poor mother in need of comforts " bich
! could not procure, and have expended
our last dollar in the bare necessares Of
life; but | can now look back upon the
way through which have been led, and,
with a full heart, bless the Lord for His
goodness"
Il have once added to yonr affections
by withholding your just dues,n said Mrs.
Williams; "but for this you must Ergive
me, Alice. For tholast few weeks I have
been learning lesson in true charity,
which ! shall not easily forget Hence
forth | will endeavor to recollect that be-
neyolence should go hand in hand with
justice and economy"
~ ------.zzn - Gze--p----- NtHs =
| "A VALuABLE Sow.e--It Is stated that
gentleman At salmon Falls, California,
from one breeding SOW, raised and sold
Il L.. -