The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-07-06

way J"
"yOu know Mark Coleman began the
world with nothing. I suppose his means
were exhausted by the ,imo he finished his
shop, and half finished lis house"
"I would rave had decent furniture a'
all events, if l bad been obliged 70 obtain 1t
on credit"
"I have been told that Mr.. Coleman has
set out with determination never to con-
tract debt"
"They are very singular, certainly. II
they don't live in respectable way, don't
see how they can eIpee. to associate with
respectable people,"
A few days after the conversation be-
tween Mr.. Coleman and his Nifc, wsaici has
been related, as Mrs. Coleman was removing
tho tea things, no, from the table, but from
tho chest which-as Mrs. Lewis surmised-
took lis place, she suddenly exclaimed;
MARX, there is Mrs. Ives coming to-
wards the house.
"Mrs. Ives. the rich Mrs. Ives! What
can bring her here' It must be mere curl
osity."
"She is welcome TO all she can see. We
shall ask nothing for the sight" replied
Mr.. Coleman, with some bitterness Of man
ner.
Mrs. Ives had not been in tho house more
than ten minutes before both husband and
wife repented of their uncharitable Judgment
in regard to the motive which brought her
there. Tho sincere kindness Of her manner,
and the absence Of everything like afecta'
ton or coudescension, won their confidence,
In the charm Of her conversation, the fact
was quite forgotten that their house was
more pl,inly or more scan,iy furnished
than their neighbors. But this fact was at
length recalled to their minds by Mrs. Ives
Observing to Mr.. Coleman
"a You seem to be setting out right in the
world, my young friend. I suppose you in
tend to be rich one Of these days, and
think you will succeed"
1--WE hope some day to be better or than
wo now are" replied Mr.. Coleman. 81
know we have begun life differently from
most young people, he added, casting his
eyes around the scantily furnished apart
men,, " aud the most Of our ueishbOrs think
the worse orus for it. But the fac, is, we
have both Of us set out with the dctermina-
ton never to contract a debt"
"I doubt no. you will som be able to fn-
ish your house and furnish il neatly" said
Mrs lys-, kindly and Hpprovingls> " Il ar,
mire yoSsr spirit Of hoaes, inde2sndence, nnoj
should be sorry to do anything to wound w
But we have some furniture in our Garret,
which has been stored there to make room
Cor more, ard IL you will accept the loan OF
some chairs and table until il is convenient
for you to purchase those which viii suit
you better, it viii crafty mo much to Lei you
have them"
This offer was made with so much kind
ness and delicacy, that Mr.. Coleman could
not refuse i, or feel wounded by it. After
Mrs. Ives had left, he exclaimed
"Thcre is what | call kind-hearted, ,
true.hearted woman. She has made me
think better Of all the world than did half
an hour ago"
This was true. This delicate act of kind
ness had stolen the bitterness from the heart
of the proud man-iOr proud he was, and It
had taught him to think more ehari,ably Of
all his race.
Years passed on, and Mark COlcman's
dreams were more than realized. His house
was soon finished and neatly furnished, alter
which be had no reason to complain OF the
shyncss Of his neighbors. But he did no,
remain there many years. He removed to a
larger place. where he could extend his bu-
siness operations. Alter the FIRST lew years,
wealth flowed in upon him as rapidly as he
could desire, But il is not our purpose to
follow him through his course.
Our tai, now passes over period OF some
years. In a pleasant village, many miles
distant from its opening scene, stands di-
lapidatod dwelling, Of that peculiar hue
which the suns and storms OF three-fourths
or a century impart to the natural color OF
wood. This dwelling is inhabited by poor
widow. and her invalid granddaughter, n
Girl Of fourteen. The couch OF the invalid is
placed in the most comfortable corner Of the
only comfortable apartment tho dwelling
con,ains. A stand is placed close by the
side Of the bel. covered with clean white
cloth. On this stand the widow is prepar-
ing to place their simple evening meal.
While thus employed she suddenly stops,
exelaiming-
Here is farmer White, coming with the
grain he promised to let me have. I mus;
sc, the money for him."
50 saying, she steps quickly to an old bu-
reau which stands in the corner Of the room.
Unlocking one Of the drawers, she takes out
a bill from small box, deposited in corner
of this drawer. and hastens out to meet the
farmer. Tho eyes Of the young invalid fol
low her sadly as she takes the bill from the
box, and also Us she carefully deposits in thC
same place the bills and the change eiyCr
her by the farmer. Nothing, however, i
'aid until the evening meal is over, and thu
tea things ore removed and put back in theI
places. Then the invalid murmers-" grand
mOiherw The widow instantly aPproaehe
the bed. and stands by its side. r
"Wha, was that bill which farmer Whit
changed for you, grandmother I"
4 =" IL was Eve dollar bi.l.r
"Was il the last you hadr'
Yes nv dear -