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

to my inquiring look, 'but | think tha
every one ought to know how nobly
and quietly he does things
Had it been another person, | should
not have cared to listen; but any his
I tory that would throw light upon The
mysterious doings of uncle Elihu Wa:
welcomed with ayidity. -. - -. -
1T is now some years ago. said the
woman, that, on cold, rainy night
in November, l wandered about the
streets, seeking in vain for aid for q
sick husband and two young chill.
dren at home. We were almost
houseless; our rent was in arrears, and
our landlord had threatened to turn
us forth at the end of the week. /
wandered about in despair; until it
seemed as though l should lose my
reason. I could not bear to beg; ]
had always been respectable, hard
working woman, and beggars seemed
to be very much like impostors, until
l was obliged to come to it myself. :
'At last, I determined that would
speak to every gentleman | met, and
ask for one cent surely they could
not refuse that! The first one that |
spoke to gave me no answer and
passed .on; the second one said that
it was too much trouble to put his
hand in his pocket fol. SO small sum-
another laughed, and advised me to
ask for sixpence; the fourth-but that
was your uncle. @
He stopped in the rain, and looked
at me with a half frown.
.And what good said he, would
one cent do you? 1t would not even
Guy you a loaf of bread-why not
ask for more?' .f,. ~.
'Alas!' said ], 4 find it impossible
to get even that! vc6 m
Suppose said Mr.. Norton, that ]
should give you the cent-what would
you do then?' .Jas- aos
4 told him that / would ask 9th
ers until | got sixpence, and then buy
a loaf Of bread. y.a7.lE rtr
''starying family at home, eh?'
said he, half to himself, but how do
/ know that you are not a cheat?-5
Such people often seem great deal
more respectable. | vas cheated,
once, by somebody that looked ex-
actly like you-wonder if it isn't the
same?'
l now began to think that | had
stopped a mailman in the street, and
turned to leave him; but Mr.. Norton
closed his umbrella with a snap, and
fairly pushed me into, bakers shop,
before which We had been talking,
81 believe you know me, here?
he asked o.sa -
The man bowed respectfully; and
Mr.. Norton continued,
81 want you to give this woman
two loaves Of bread, now, and send
her the same epery day, until ! tell
you to discontinue it.
The baker put down my address;
and | followed AIr. Norton into the
street, too full to speak.
'We next stopped at an umbrella
store. 70 eaJ to5 ~
stHere,' said Mr.. Norton, handing
me his old one, now travel home as
fast as you can; and, tomorrow |
will come and see you.T / shall .ex-
pect to see the sick husband and two
children all complete-but mind, now,
that you don't borrow any for the oc-
casion.' i8 aeIlliy8 iAa 1Ieo3 9
That bread, the first mouthful in
twenty-four hours, gave US all new
life; and even nay poor husbands face
was lit up With a ray of hope. When
Mr.. Norton came, the next day, |
thought of entertaining angels
unawares; and lie, / am sure, found
that I had told him no falsehoods. =
This was but the beginning of a Sc
ries Of good deeds, that he keeps up
even now; for, since my husband $
death, I am sometimes. rather straight
ened-although, thanks to Mr.. Nor
ton, I am supplied with work that
keeps me from starving
1t was my uncle all through, and
could not doubt the truth of her sto.
ry.
| is there any answer?' said I, as
stood cap in hand.
sNone,' she replied, words are use
less to thank him-before see hin
again, / will try to send him a more
substantial proof Of my gratitude
! l now know where uncle Elihu OBJ
tanned those beautifully spotless shirt