Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-01-29
SUNDAY READING.
'1t is Better 10 Give than to Receive"

sit is Better 10 Give than to Receive"
"And so you strip yourself of comfort, for the
sake of adding to this rich merchants gains?"
The widow replied with flushed cheek, at may
seem light thing 10 you, but the thought that 1
am slowly and surely wiping every stain from my
husbands honor, is my greatest earthly comfort
Mr.. Miner is his last creditor, and God willing,
every cent shall be paid"
Her coarser relative responded with an emphatic
"fddestick," and angrily left her presence.
"At last have it," said a silvery voice, and
sweet face, glad and brilliant, frightened up the
gloom.
"Only see, motherl ten dollars, all my own; ten
more make twenty; so we shall have a nice little
sum for Mr.. Miner"
Tears trembed on the widow lashes, and gilt
tered on her pale cheek. at is to be the price of
thy life, my precious one?" she thought as the
canker worm at the heart of my beautiful flower?
Must give thee up to weary toll, sacrifice upon
the altar of duty? Can it be that God requires
it,"
Eva knelt at her mothers feet where she had
fallen with all the abandon of child, her glance
fastened to the shining gold.
Lifting her glance she met that of her mother,
full of anxiety touched with sorrow. A sudden
smile broke over her delicate features.
Il was only thinking of the endless things this
money would buy--don't look so grave, mamma
such beauty of warm shawl for you, and a neat
crimson cover for that untidy old arm chair bit,
ever so little bit of carpet to put down by the bed
Al faol nd
| pretty cap, besides COAL and tea, and sugar, AMI
such nice comfortable things. But never mind"
and she sprang to her feet brushed back her brown
curs, and drew on her neat little bonnet,-"never
mind, I'll maybe write book one of these days,
that'I make you and | rich And dear mother you
shall ride in your own carriage, and maybe those
that scorn US now only because we are poor, may
be thankful for our notice. A truce to romance"
she gravely continued; "stern reality tells me to go
directly up to Madison-street find Mr.. Miner, give
him this twenty dollars, take receipt, and then
come home and read and sing to my mother" -
Hurriedly Eva passed from her house along the
narrow streets. As she went onward, street after
diverged into pleasant width and palacelned splen-
dor The houses of greatness and wealth glitter
ed in their marble beauty under the golden sun
light Up broad steps, through portals carved
and shining passed the timid steps of Eva Sterne.
At first the pompous servant smiled a cOntemp
tuous denial but after moment, perhaps sOftened
by her childish simplicity and winning blue eyes,
he deemed it best not to deny her urgency and she
entered this palace of rich mans home
Softly her feet sank in the luxurious hall-carpet
Statuary in bronze and marble lined all the way to
the staircase. ThespleDdor of the room into which
she was ushered seemed to her inexperienced sight
too beautiful for actual use, and he who came n
with his kindly glance and handsome face, the no.
blest perfection of manhood she had ever seen.
"Well, young lady," he said, blandly smiling, "to
whom am | indebted for this pleasure?"
"My father, sir, died in your debt" said Eva
blushngly, speaking very softly "By the strictest
economy and very hard work, we, my mother and
have been able to pay all his creditors but your
SELF If you will be kind enough to receive the
balance of your account in small sums am sorry
they must be so small sir-we can in the course of
q very few years liquidate the debt and THEY'VE
shall have fulfilled my fathers dying wish that eve
~ stain might be wiped from his honor She |
paused moment, and said again falteringly, "My |
father was very unfortunate, sir, and broken in |
health for many years, but, sir, he was honorable,
he would have paid the last cent if it had left him
a beggar"
Mr. Miner sat awhile thoughtfuly, his dark eyes
fastened upon the gentle face before him. After a
moment Of silence, he raised his head threw back
the mass of curling hair that Swallowed his hand
some brow, and said:
81 remember your father well. 1 regretted his
death He was fine fellow-a fine fellow" he
added musingly; "but, my dear young lady, have
you the means-do you not embarrass yourself by
making these payments"
Eva bushed again, and looking up ingenuously
replied, II am obliged to work, sir but no labor
would be too arduous that might save the memory
of such father from disgrace
This she spoke with deep emotion The rich
man turned with choking in his throat, and tears
ulstened on his lashes. Eva timidly held out the
two gold pieces he took them, and bidding her stay
a moment, hastily left the room.
Almost instantly returning he handed her seal
ID note, saying, There is the receipt young lady,
and allow me to add, that the mother of such
child must be happy woman. The whole debt,
find is nine hundred and seventy-fve dollars
You will see by my note what arrangements have
made, and hope they will be satisfactory"
Eva left him with lighter heart, and a burning
heck at his praise. His manner was gentle, so
atherly that she felt he would not impose hard
conditions, and it would be pleasure to pay one
o kind and forbearing.
At last she got home, and breathlessly sitting at
Ter mothers feet, she opened her letter. Wonder