Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-07-08


come home he was aslonished. The
floor was clean and white, the FIRE place
neat, and the new windows let in such
an extra quantity of light, that it seem.
ed ike new room. Kate got such a
dinner as she was able to pick up, and
the afternoon she spent in mendiDg some
Of her uncle's old clothes. He came in
towards the middle of the forenoon, and
she tod him she was out Of flour. He
proposed getting two pounds, but she
finally made him see that 'twould be for
his interest 10 get barrel. 1t came hard
to pay out six dollars for barrel of flour
but he did it; and while he was about il
he got pound of tea. pound of cof-
fee, dollars worth of sugar, and some
!: other little things. These he had sent
home, and when he came to sit down to
his supper of light, warm biscuit, and
tasted the fragrant tea, he really con-
fesSed 10 himself that he was a gamer
by The money thus far expended.
Thus matters moved on for a week.
The old man watched his niece's every
movement, but he could see nothing
wasted. Every crum was cared for and
saved, and he was surprised to see what
excellent dishes she prepared for almost
nothing. One afternoon when the wind
blew cold. and the snow was falling fast,
poor girl raped at the door, and Kate
let her in. Her name was Martha Allen,
and her father was poor day-laborer
who had been confined to his bed for
several months, having been severely in
jured while blasting rocks. Martha
was only fifteen, and was mild, blue
eyed, pretty girl. She had come TO see
if Mr.. Burr could not help her father.
"Why should he send to me?" the old
man asked, nervously.
80, sir, be does not know that have
gone out to beg for him." returned the
girl; "but could not bear to see him
suffering so in body and mind, without
trying to help him. For three long
months he has lain in his bed, and now
is kept back by the fearful thought oi
the debt he will have to pay VIXEN gets up
But thus far have not run him in debt,
though he thinks l have, and l dare not
wholly undeceivc him, for fear that
must do SO. We have spent every cent
he had laid up, and l have worked hard
and sold many of my things; but have
nothing more TO sell. and all my time
must be spent with him. o, sir; for the
love of mercy give me something. II
we ever can pay you we wiil.''
"But what would you have, girl?' the
old man asked, moving uueasily in his
chair.
"a dollar, sir, or two dollars. You
would not miss it, while"
"NOt miss it! And do you think l
am made of money!"
At this moment Kate left The room,
and in momedt more she opened the
door and called for her uncle to come
out
"What is It?'' be asked, as he came
into the back room, leaving the poor girl
alone
"Uncle Absalom you must not send
that poor child away empty handed. "
she said placing both hands upon his
shoulders. just think of her poor
father, and of how much she suffers for
him. You are able. and as sure as you
/ live in charity TO her, SO sure shall your
reward be"
"An1 who's to reward me. child?''
"You own thoughts and feelings. un-
/ cle."
''But haven't The money to spare"
Then give her ten dollars"
"Ten dollars! Mercy, Kate, would you
ruin me?"
/ ''Hear me out. Give her ten dollars.
and if, at the end of six months,
/ you want it back, I'll pledge myself 10
see it paid -
"Keu see it paid? AMI where will
you get it,"
Il have more than thal-money which
l have laid up to buy me clothes with"
"Then you cannot spare it,
81 can go without clothes easier than
l can see poor, honest man suffering
when by my means he may be blessed.
o, l would rather have the free, heart
felt blessing of one honest soul than all
the dresses in the world To walk forth
and feel that am loved for the good 1
do, were better far than millions of mon
ey piled away in dark corners. Go and
give her ten dollars, and keep me to
my promise, for will not break it. But
mind you-my name must not be men
tened. Give it to her as your own
gift"
"But you will pay me?"
"When you ask fer it,
Il think it's foolish for you to throw
away your money SO, and yet I'll give it
10 her. You wont come to me for dress
es, though"
"Nc, sir.''
The old man returned, and having
pulled out his pocket book, he drew out