The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-03-17
ELLEN'S HALE DOLLAR.


tune smiled upon his labors, and he vas soon (
able to purchase for himself snug farm, /
upon which he built a neat cottage, and I
went on year after year, adding tract after
tract of land to his wide domains, until he /
could look for miles around on his own pos
sessions, A little village reared its head a.
midst beautiful cluster of elm trees, and
owned him as its master, and was also
known by his name.
He had, in early life, selected one from
amongst his neighbors' daughters, with
whom to divide his cares and share his Joys;
and hand in hand they had journeyed on
through life's tedious way, so immersed in
the tumult of business as not to perceive the
vacancy around them. But at the age of
fifty, Mr.. Granger found that, notwithstand-
ing the bounteous gifts of Providence, there
was u void in his breast; he had no smiling
offspring to gather round his knee at dewy
eve, no lisping prattler to greet his return.
. However, he was not long left to mourn
over his lonely state; the death Of an only
sister, at this period, gave to his charge
the orphan Ellen, and the old man entered,
as it were, upon a new life.
There was no pain that Ellen's presence
could not mitigate, no grief she could not
assuage. No fears or threats could alarm
him, save the fear OF losing Ellen, the idol Of
his hopes, the centre of his attractions.
Merry Christmas paid its annual visit to
the young folks, and the corner allotted to
Ellen for her playhouse groaned beneath
the weight of the tokens deposited there by
numerous friends, for the purpose of delight
ing the fancy Of the child, or gaining the
favor of the wealthy uncle Among the
rest OF the gifts was. bright half-dolar,
which she turned over and over, and laid it
in her workbox.
Christmas sports and pasLimes over, the
toys and playthings lost their attractions,
and Ellen sighed for something new on
which to bestow her attention.
She became pleased with a pretty doll
which she saw one Of her playmates have,
and expressed desire to have one, as she
said it cost only half-adollar, and she could
purchase it at her own eXpene.s
The doll was accordingly purchased, and
Ellen called to receive her charge, and take
% God care OF it until she needed something
else.
'Oh, my beautiful doll and my half-dolar
too!' exclaimed Ellen in surprise, her beau
tiful eyes meanwhile beaming with delight
towards her no less delighted uncle.
Some months after this a neighhor called
on Mr.. Granger to solicit aid in relieving q
| family who had been reduced 10 beggury by
the intcmperunce of the husband; but aiC
was stornlv refused, US the old gentleman
said he had but little idea Of wasting his sub
stance on drunkenness and idicness.
The friend, unwilling to be put oil, con.
tinucd to plead Tor the starving wife and
helpless children.
Ellen, who had been playing behind hel
uncle was an attentive observer of all thai
was passing, and skipping goily from hel
hiding.pla bounded of with the :wiItncs'
ofa luwn, and presently rctur Ing, pat into
the genteman's hand her shining haI!-doi.
lar. ''rake tl.is,' said she, and buy them
bread. See,' she continued, / have all
want.Ond haifa dollar too
Sweet chld,' said the gentleman, taking
her in his arms, you are destined To be
blessing to those 10 whom you are related.
Take your money, child said the uncle
and be assured it has purchased food to
the hungry. Your uncle has all he wants
and whcrewith to relieve the distressed
The chilly blasts of winter had begun t.
whistle around the dwellings of the poor
The frugal and thrifty farmer was making
ample provisions for his winters store. AM
Mr.. Granger, exact to u letter where hi
) own interest was concerned, looked care
fully over his rent-roll, and found some o
his tenants at Grangersville in Arrears
Bills were accordingly sent in, with strict in
functions that the money should be forthcom
, ing.
. On the following morning poor wldoN
presented herself before her landlord, ant
, with streaming eyes, begged for little Ion
ger indulgence.
\ But Mr.. Granger, not remarkable for len
ity, and wearied with opportunities, declar
ed his intention of seizing her COW if she di
!, not in a few days settle the claim.
e The poor woman returned home in gTea
=. distress, as she well knew she could nc
raise the money, and her COW, which furn
> ished food for her children, must be lost.
e In the evening, Mr.. Granger took It'll
: Ellen on his knee, as was h s custom be
i fore retiring, but the child did not rctur
his carcsses with her usual warmth, whic
y led him to fear she was not well. Upon bt
!. inc interrogated, she replied that she wa
perfectly well.
;, After having sat some time upon his IA
!; in deep silence, she looked up kindly
e his face and said
ID uncle, you have a great many COW
80 havn't youp
% Yes, my child replied Mr. Granger;
e have twelve as fine ones in my pasture I
ever pail went under.
Then why, Uncle resumed the chill
rt 'will you take Mrs. Green's COW, who BIT
'e but onep
IS 'Ohr said Mr.. Granger, 4 do not wa
"a the COW; shall sell it for the rent that
due for the house that she lives in
.A 'Oh! then Uncle,' said the delight
}. child, L will buy it, for you know have
: whole half-dollar.'
. 'And what do you want with cow, n
L darlingl said Mr.. Granger, patting h
fondly on the head.
ID 'Oh! ! should give it to poor Mrs. Gree
lg again., said Ellen; 'and then you know i
$, tie Willie and Mary would not have to e
~ their bread alone and go 10 bed, but CT
'e have their nice rich cream and milk Tor the
10 suppers. did feel SO sorry when you talk
a Of taking their COW, and leaving them not
Ut ing but their dry bEead' y
d. A tear was seen toglisten in the old man
10 eye; be sat for some moments absorbed
nj NJ deep thought ...5
~ Let me learn lesson said he, 'frc
- ~ this child. have enough, and more th
~ ~ enough; this poor woman has but scan
ne substance ;and vet would take from her
N add to my we'll filled purse. | have toll
all my life like slave. and have been I
- narrow-hearted to enjoy the blessings III
,ld | have so diligently toiled for. will frf