Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-07-20
MIS-CELLAA Y.
THE aPoOR RELATION. J.

-EOOR
fhare heard and read many unRind sneers
at imy poor relations But / meyer respec-
ted the authors Of such unhappy sentiments
Poor relations generally carry as pure and
generous hearts under their jafkets ana
thin shawls, as the richest who lare bypor
critically respected by those who aye wishing
for them to die
In 1927, was apprenticed to Mr. Joel
Scott q stone mason. He was then fifty
one years o. age. and quite wealthy He
was peuurious AID coz ..iinued his BUSINESS for
further gains, though his ecnstitIrsiSs was
much shattered BY previous toll; He re-
auired unreasonable days work ofIhis labor
ers. He was not satisfied with fir service
Of ten hours at steady labor. He demand
ed twelve hours and usually cohtrived 10
get thirteen He was scherner and skin
flint. He once passed three dollar bank
note to me that was fifteen per eint below
par, but he would not pay me tbeForty five
cents which / lost, because could sDot bring
proof that / received the note, after.
wards learned that be received it If an hon
est old farmer for 81, so or nearly seventeen
per cent discount Stillke was sciupulous.
II pious. / believe he never missed con.
ference meeting or an evening lecture, ard
be was the first to enter church Upon the
Sabbath; evening meetings he usually pray
ed, and never occupied less thai half an
hour. He denounced 'all uncharita bleness'
in severe though rather course terms. He
was quite rich, partly owing to the sudden
rise Of tract Of real estate which be pur
chased several years before at low price
and contrived to slip out Of his obliga-
.tion to pay for a good portion of il, on the
death Of the man who sold it 70 him the
widow and the children suiferad, .-..faf.
ing them. I Hardly knvws how ne dbl bat
am sure that be accomplished the feat on
more than one occasion He was so pious,
however, that few persons id the village dared
lisp word of insinuation that he, was dis.
honest But rich as he was he never gave
away penny unless it was to some far OF
Missionary Society that has great many
officers and hired assistants, who publish %
the world the names of those who give their
money to them. saw him, however, kick
a poor little ragged and sickly boyof about
eight years Of age, SO that be fell downs
fight Of SIX steps in the rear Of bis house -
1t was of Sabbath morning the hey had
little basket on his arm, and had meekly
begged for some victuals. This was bis Of
fence. His mother was wretchedly poor and
incorporate, Tut was the child to blame fof
that That evening l heard bicI pray
against the sin of uncharitablenesss
Scott had niece She was thirteen years
Of age. the daughter Of bis sister. Her faith;
er died the year chat was app7enticed 4
lie was an Italian, by trade musical in.
strument maker rather impetuous but geni
erous and high minded He was intelligent.
and in personalappearan asplendidpatterl
Of a man Minnie was his only child, aud
when her father died she was truly an OF.
phan, for her mother was an Invalid and pen.
niless. The poor woman didFnot survive
long But she persuaded her brother Scott
to take little Minnie into his family Shb
was rather small of hef age, or, rather, she
appeared to be, as she was so perfectly fornH
ed that she seemed smaller thanshe really
was aud have noticed the same peculiarll
ty in Powers Greek Slave Perhaps it is,
50 with all beautifully formed men aud wos
men and animals Minnie was beautiful -
Her hair was Of raven blackness- Her skin.
mas not the very whitest but it was remarksAs
ably smooth and hercheeks were peachy red.
The most intelligent eye that ever glistened:
under a woman's brow was Minutes Her
teeth so regular and so white, were ornaii
mental if such features could be oruAusented.
She had broad, intellectual foreheaJzxand.
her face ever wore q sweet smile. I.havel
never seen so pretty girl nor one so,loyelyl
in every respect But her uncle made a.
slave Of her What q surprising amount Of
work that little girl did It was enough to
break down stout woman. Bukshe always
did it. well. She was so neat. so quick
and always so cheerful I could never be
sad while Minnie was near, her good nature
and happy influences. seemed To- spread all
around her, aud penetrate every soul except
her course old uncle's l never missed an
opportunity to bring bucket Of water, or
an armfnl Of wood, and to do many little
things 20 tighten the heavy burden Of her
task: Her mild. sweet, little Thank you,
ChaIIie-ypu are so kind = always psid me
for my trouble How often have wonders.
ed that her unole did mot provide her with
better elothing-uhy be did not permit her
10 attend some parties il the village. and
afordh her more comforts But she received.
no such kindness from him
On one occasion heard him say in her
presence thar she vas poor relation, and
be wondered If every body who had earned
little something By hard work. bad to sup
port poor cousins and ncices' Minnie look
"a Sad enough and quickly left the room
soon followed her, and SAN her wipe away .
tear that vas stealing down her cheek She
did not think noticed il, and snmmoning
resolution, she turned aud smiled sweetly as
she made some pleasantrem1rks 10 turn ihs
unbappy thpughts Of her uhcls's harshness
from her mind Iha. evening thought
Der more Of IN angel than ever. She til
umphcd oTcr ilIusage aud preserved her
happy temper Size rDse above the seVc-e
trial and tie uniform harmony Of her mind
Vas still nrr1rcot. / roufufsd I Nofd az