Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-12-27

II forget my disappointment ABOUT tn'
sixpence, and visited him as usual.
But, after awhile, my former in
dignation returned in full force.
was standing in his office, one day
watching him, as he sat writing
letter, upon which he was too busily
engaged to look up.
4 MY son. said he, at length, q
wish that you would light me mattel
to seal this letter.
/ sprang forward with alacrity.
proud to be useful on an occasion Of
evident importance; and, after light.
ing the match, was about to throw il
into the CRATE. The matches then
were very long, with birthstone on
both ends.
sStop!' cried my uncle, in voice
that made me tremble, is it possible
that you can be so Uickedly waste
fal?'
1 rescued the match, and stood
surveying it in vacant sort OF sur
/ prise. sor
That MATCH continued my uncle,
will answer to light again. neOer
destroy them after one usage
'Well,' thought ] to myself, III you
are not the very meanest old fellow
that ever lived! And, in the excess
Of my boyish Indignation, | felt al
most contaminated by being in the
same apartment with him, or even in
the house at all. s -,
wait moment, said uncle Elihu,
4 would like to have you take this
letter for me-
He placed it in my somewhat un-
willing hands, aud impressed the d.
rection upen me again and again.
i ! sauntered indifferently Oft, whist,
ling as l went; and finally reached
the lane which had been indicated to
me as the scene of my destination,
On ! went, past dirty boys and rag
ged girls-past scolding women and
lazy men-past tenements OF various
degrees of dirt and wretchedness-
until, at length, the one ] sought was
easily discerned by its air of cleanli-
ness and comfort. pe
| mounted the ricketty stairs, and
was directed to the room by girl in
earrings and pink ribbons; who sur
veyed me critically, as people would
examine a fish on dry land. or a sala-
mander out of its proper clement
In spite Of this formidable discharge
of eye shot, | knocked boldly at the
door; and having received permls-
sion to enter, l vanished from the
sight of my examiner, W no still
maintained her position at the head
of the stairs. ecl,
The apartment in which | found
myself was .as clean as hands could
make it. A small wood fire was
burning brightly; and row of flat
irons were placed before it, ready for
active service. At the table, in the
middle Of the room, stood a respect
/ able looking woman, whose counte-
| nance bore traces of severe struggles
probably with poverty and ILL
health. To her ] handed the letter,
and then sat down to await the re-
suit. jYsER a1u
A remarkably wide-awake-look-
ing baby ina cradle near by suhiced
to while away the time; and | sat
making faces at it, and watching Its
astonishment, as it glanced inqul-
ringly from its mother to me. 1t
had EVENLY been taught not to cry;
and | was about to reward its good
behavior with a closer acquaintance,
when an exclamation from the wo-
man arrested my steps; | beheld her
wiping her eyes with the corner OF her
check apron. ~
The dear, blessed mani said she,
with emotion, may he always expe-
4 rience the happiness he has given mel
sWhat is the matter?' said |, with
all the surprise with which those
young barbarians, yclept boys, wit
.Iness an exhibition of natural feeling
sHe has sent me twenty dollars fol
winter fuel. .s.l.z s,lI
i She must, surely, mean some one
! else! Not the contemplate individ-
ual who had just scolded ME for not
lighting both ends Of the match!
who has sent it?' / asked.
sWAo?' she repeated, in surprise
who should it be but Mr.. Norton?-
This is not the first time that he has
lldone it, either-but for him, | shoult
! now be in the poor-hcuse. 1t is I
.