Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-10-18
EV ENING STAR.
BETTEg TO GIVE TH.N7o prrPIuv

| ihe "luoW Iopiieu with nuSEeu cheek, Ii
may seem light thing to you, but the thought
that L am slowly and surely wipinr everv
stain from my husbands honor, is my great
est earthly comfort Mr. Miner is nis last
creditor, and, Gcd willing, every cent shall be
paid "
Her coarser relative responded with an en-
! rhstic " fddlestick," and angrily lef. her
presence.
AT last have it," said siIve.y voice,
and sweet face glad and brilliant, bright.
ened up the gloom
Only see, mother. ten dollars, all my
own; ten more make twenty, so we shall have
nice little sum for Mr.. Miner"
Tears trembled on the widows Iashes, and
glittered on her pale cheek at is to be the
PTice OF thy life, my precious one" she
thought. "Is the canker worm Mt the heart
Of my beautiful flower Must I give thee up
to weary toll, sacrifice upon the altar of
duty Can it be that God REQ uires it?''
Eva knelt at her mothers feet, where she
had fallen with all tho abandon of Child,
her glence fastened to the shiniag gold
Lifting her glance she met that of her nc
Their, full Of anxiety, touched with sorrow.
a sudden smile broke over her delicate fca-
lures
- was only thinking Of the endless things
this money would buy-don't look so grave.
lnamma-such beauty of warm shawl for
you, and neat crimson cover for that uutidy
cid arm chair, a bit, ever so little bit Of car
Pet TO pu: down by the bed, that your feet
Ieed not feel this cold floor, and n pretty can,
!esides coal, and tea, and sugar, and such
nice comfortable things But never mind, -
and she sprang to her feet, brushed back her
brown carls, and drew on her neat little boz
net" never mind, III maybe writo a beck
enc OF these days, tbat'll mako you md /
| rlch. And, dear mother, you shall ride in
your own carriage, and maybe those that
,1r hono
te thankful FOR cur notice. A truce 20 TO-
nance, =" 'he graVely continued {" stern lie.
alIty tells me to 60 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 vert onward.
street after street diverged into pleasant width
and palace-lined splendor. The hcases Of
greatness and wealth glittered in their marble
beauty uIder the golden sunlight. Up broad
steps, through portals carved aad shining
passed the timid steps Of Eva S.er.e.
AT frs: tte ponpous servant ssliIed a con-
temptuous denial; but after 10 Umert, per-
laps sottened by her childish simplicity and
VinniDg blue eyes, be deemed i; best not to
deny her urgeIcy; she entered this palace Of
a rich mans homo
Softly her fee; sank in the luxurious hall
carpet Stetuary in bronze and marble lined
all the way 10 the staircase. The sp'erdoT of
the room into which she was ushered seemed
10 her inexperienced light too beautiful for ac-
tual use, and he who came IL with his kindly
slaIcc and handsome face, the noblest perfec-
ton Of manhood she had ever seen.
Well, ycung lady" said he blandly soi-
| IlIg, 'to whom am 1 Indebted for this pis,-
sure?"
"My father, sir,' died in your debt" said
Eva blushingly, speaking very softly. "By
and ard
my mother and L, have been able 10 pay ali
mis- creditors but yourself If you will be
kind enough to receive the balance of your
account in small sums-I am sorry they must
be so small, sir-we can in the course CT a very
few years fully liquidate the debt, and then
We shall have fulfilled my father dying wish,
that every stain might be wiped frcm his
honor " She paused a moment, and said
again falteringly, My father was very un-
fortunate, sir, and broken in health for Inany
years, but sir, he was honorable, he ,sould
| have paid the last cent if it had left aim a
beggar."
Mr.. Miner sat awhile thoughtfully, his dark
eyes fastened upon the gentle face before him
After moment Of silence, ne raised his head,
threw back the mass of curling hair that
shadOwed his handsome brow, and said:
81 remember your father we'll. L regretted
his death. He was fine fellow-a fine fell
lOw," he added musingly; "but, my dear
youES iduy, GdFe you tne Heans-Co you
not embarrass yourself by making these pay
ments ,"
Eva blushed again, and looking up, ipgen-
uously replied, - | am obliged 10 work, sir
but no labor would be too arduous that ght
save the memory Of such father from dis
grace"
This she spoke with deep emotion. The
rich man turned with n choking in his taroat
and tears gIistcned on his lashes. Eva tim
| idly held out the two gold pieces; lie took
them, and bidding her stay moment, haStily
left the room.
Almost instantly returning he handed her
| sealed note, saying, :" There is the receipt
young lady, and allow me to add, that the
mother of such a child must be happy woman
The whole debt, find, is nine hundred and
seventy FIVE dollars You will see by nay note
what arrangements L have made, and hope
they will be satisfactory"
Eva left him with q lighter heart, and a
burning cheek at his praise. His manner
was gentle, so fatherly that she felt he would
not impose hard conditions, and il would be a
pleasure to pay one so kind and forbearins
At last she got home, and bresthlessly sit
ting at her mothers feet, she opened her letter.
Wonder of wOIders-a bank note inclosed; she
held it without speaking, or looking at its
value
Read it, she said, after moments be-
wilderment, placing tho letter in her mothers
hand here are fifty dollars; what can it
mean?'
"This," said the sick woman, bursting into
tears ''is receipt in full, releasing you from
the payment of your father debt Kind gen.
erous man-Heaven will bless him will
shower mercies upon him From grateful
heart call upon the Father to reward him
for this act Of kindness. Oh what shall we
say, what shall we DO to thank him -
Mother" said Eva, smiling through he-
tears, {. felt as if be was an angel OF coed
ness. Oh, they do wrong, who say that eli
who are wealthy have hard hearts. Mother
can * be possible we are rich [ wish he
knew how very happy he has made US, how
much we love and reverence him whenever
We think or speak of him, or even hear hila
spoken of"
.sHe has bound two hearts to him forever"
murmured her mother.
"Yes, dear Mr.. Miner little he thought
how many comforts We wanted. Now we need
not stint the FIRE; we may buy coal, and have
one cheerful blaze, please God. And the tea,
the strip of carpet, the sugar, the little luxu-
ries for you, dear mother; and the time, and
q very few books for myself / declare I'm
so thankful. feel as IL / oupht 10 po ripht