The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-10-29

glad.
When they arose 90 depart, at the end
OF an hour, Martha followed them to the
door, and here she blessed the old man
again. lie was moved by generous
impulse. and he took golden half ca
gle from his rocke; aud handed it to
her.
No, sir she said, drawing her hand
back, what you have already given US
will suffice until father gets out. But
there is one who would be blessed with
the gift, an if you will permit me will
relinquish the gift in her behalf The
widow Wildredgc is very low aud her
daughter is sick. carried them over
some food this morning, and found them
quite destitute
But uncle A bsalom was stubborn
man and would have his own way.
Take this he said, and we may
hnd another for Mrs. Wilircdgc, Your
father will net be able to work for some
time yet. II will | will call on the
widow-but if you refuse me, | won't
move a step only towards home
Martha took the money with fearful
eyes, and Mr.. Burr heard more blessings
as he turned away. Widow Wildrcdgc's
dwelling was not lar off, aud thtther the
uncle and niece turned their steps. They
found the mother, a woman of some fifty
years, sitting by the bedside Of sick
daughter. She arose as the visitors
came in, and her countcnance plainly
showed that she wondered why A bsa-
lom Burr called But she saw an angel
in Kate's mild blue eyes.
Absalom and the widow were play
mates once, and the ice was soon bro
ken. Gradually the uncle and neicc
drew forth the story Of the woman's sut-
ferings, and then the old man took out
his pocket book, and took therefrom
fifteen dollars.
Here he said, as he handed it to
the widow, this may serve to tighten
your burden some. am able when
you are needy. Take it and remember
that you may look to me again when
needs come upon you
Mechanically the woman took the
money, and having gazed first upon tn,
charmed notes and then upon the donor
she bowed her head and thanked God
for the blessing And then, while the
tears gushcd forth she caught the old
man by the hand, and poured forth hcr
thanks.
When Mr.. Burr sat down to his sup,
per that night, that shade upon his face
was as soft as the radiance of the setting
sun His food was eaten with a keen
relish, and he could now return Kate's
emile. Aud on that night, too, hi'
dreams were more pleasant than ever.
Sometime during the next day, Kate
came up from the cellar and asked hcl
uncle what that dark vault vas for.
How did you find = cried he il
quick alarm.
The door was partly OPEN
/ did forget to lock it. Iremcmbcl
ncw.'
But what is it, uncle >
The old man finally confessed to Kate
that he had over twenty thousand dol
lars slowed away there
Why, uncle Is it possiblc' And
you let it lie there in the dark without
USE
But if the assessors knew it they'd
make me pay taxes on it,
Kate was about to give utterance to q
very indignant response, but she held i
back and went aud sat down by the old
mans side.
Now look here Uncle Absalom, how
much would you be taxed for that mon
eya'
'Ovcr hundred dollars year. Jus
think of it,
Yes, and think of this lIcie is tn
railroad company just advertised for
loan of five thousand dollars at five pc
cent. You can make up the five thou,
and and let them have it. Have yo
not FIVE thousand more lying idle some
where;'
Perhaps So said the old man
thoughtfully.
Then look at il. Thus you woul
not only be helping tho community, an
assisting a great public good, but yo
would at the same time be realizin,
twelve hundred and fifty dollars ycaI
where you do not now get cent. AND
again. When the company have 90
through with the money you can builo
houses here in this town, every one o
which will let as soon as finished, AM
at fair rents. Think how you will thu
tc benefttipg the community, and a
the same time rendering yourself NOR
able to bestow in charity such sums a
your own good judgment shall dictate
And then again. resumed Kate, as sh