The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-06-21
THE BAG OF WHEAT.
BIZ MRs. LYDIA >. PIERsoN.

each busily plying her needle.
Il should hopo not, said Mrs. Gray. Il have
never heard Of theft being committed in this
ncig gbborood, and we are all excessively care
less, leaving our doors unfastened day and
night, and our washing out for days together,
and never once dreaming that anything could
be stolen.
That is true,' replied Mrs Green we
have never had lock or bolt upon our door,
but it becomes us to Be a little more cautious
now
what has happened Mrs. Green? inquired
Mrs. Lacy. think you should tell US what
you mean.
well, then,' said Mrs. Green, though they
talk OF keeping quiet as the surest method of
detecting the thief, ! see no harm in telling it.,
for there can be no doubt as to who the wretch
is
You must know that Mr.. Frost put up six
bags full of wheat, to take to tho mill, last Sat
urday morning, but something prevented his
going; and when he went to the barn
yesterday, to take it away, one bag was miss
ing. So you see it must have been stolen be-
tween Saturday and yesterday, which was
Monday
But who is suspected of the theft? asked
| one.
'Oh, as to that, you know, as Mrs. Gray says,
we have neyer had any dishonest people a
mongst us so it must be the poor family that
moved into Mr.. Frost's old house, last month.
Mary called on them soon after they moved in
and she says they looked misunderstanding
little or no furniture, and that little out of or
der--that the man sat writing, while the wife
lay on the bed, and growing girl tfckcd out in
| city finery was nursing an infant, and hear
ing two little ragged fellows read. And Mary
noticed that when the boys had done reading,
the youngest whispered to his sister. Now,
Alice, i am a good boy, will you give me a
piece of bread? And the girl whispered wait
while, Charley and she kissed him, Mary
said, to hide the tears that gushed from her
eyes. Now, if they are so very poor, you
know, they might be tempted to steal: for il
must be very hard to hear children cry for
bread, ana have to givo thom.
Yes put in Mrs. Lacy, 'and my husband
has often said he would wo' der if they had
anything to eat and we would willingly have
givon them something, only they seemed so
proud and stuck up like. we were afraid to of
fer them anything for fear they would take it
as an insult.
That's just the way we have felt about them
remarked Mrs. GRAY; 'and if they would have
come among Us. and told us they were in want.
we would not let them suffer. But so it is
The pride that will not let man work, or ask
honest and criminal practicos'
WELL resumed Mrs Green i hope this
affair will drive such people from our neigh.
borhood, fl r Mr.. Frost intends to find out the
truth of business, and then tell them to make
themselves scarce, or TO abide tho decision of
the law
There were in the company of quilters, a
maiden lady of near fifty years of age who
during the colloquy. uttered not word; but
now she turned her head aeido, tool, of ha.
spectaclcs, wiped first her eyes and some
what faded checks, and then her glasses;
heaved deep sigh, and murmered, Il fear
that we have sinned against these strangers.
We have permitted them to suffer in our midst,
and impute crime to them merely because we
suppose them 10 be destitute. Let us at least
be charitable in this last case, they may be
worthy people and there may be some mis-
take about the bag of wheat. and, even if they
have been driven to take what was y ot theirs,
fear the sin lies at our own door. We should
have visited them, notwithstanding their gen.
try airs and city usages.'
As Aunt Sarah was regarded as an oracle
by the whole circle assenied to her verdict. and
il was settled that Mr.. Frost should be per-
suaded to let this offence rest for tho present.
and Aunt Sarah and Mrs. Lacy were deputed
as kind of committee to call on the strange
family the next day and reconnotrc. Now
call, in The country, means TO drop in a little
after noon, lay off your bonnet and shawl, take
out your work. and sit like one of the family.
working and chatting until evening or bee
time, partakIpg Of such fare as the house Of
fords.
And who were these poor people concern
ing whom such suspicious were anoatl
l will give you sketch of their history
Mr. Howard was the son of an independent
farmer, who was the owner Of SUPERIOR tract
| of land, an elegant and comfortable house. a
fine stock of cattle, and largo family ofhand-
some and intelligent children. These were
all from childhood. accustomed to healthy Ia.
bor, plentiful board, comfortable lodging, and
| substantial raiment; besides many little ele-
gancies of dress and furniture. As they arri-
we'd at proper ages they were well educated
and provided with situations, in which il was
reasonable to suppose that they might in time
make themselves fortunes. One studied med
icine, two read law, one being pious, became y
minister, nnd this ono, William Howard. served
his seven years as clerk in dry goods store.
About the time he attained his majority, his
father died, and the property that bad been
riches in one mans possession, was but small
portions when divided among ten children
However, Williams share enabled him To en-
ter as junior partner into respectable mer-
camille firm, He now thought himself au-
thorkcd to marry, as he had long been sin
cere lover Of Alice Carroll, daughter to the
merchant with whom he served his clerkship,
and Of whom bo was now a partner. The
girl loved him, and as he was honest, indus
trious. handsome, and real gentleman in de-
lportmcnt. her parents cheerfully consented 10
their union. Alico was lovely girl. sweet
tempered, and highly accomplished, and How
and perfectly adorcd her. They commenced
housekeeping in style Of simple elegance,
suited 10 their standing and expectations, and
during several years, enjoyed the sweets ol