Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-02-18
BETTER TO GIVE THAN ToRECEIvE.
AN INTERESTING SKETCH.

BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.
AN INTERESTING SKETCH.
"And so you strip yourself of comfort for
the sake of adding to this rich merchant IS
gaiRs 20
The widow replied with flushed cheek, ssIt
nay seem z light thing to you, but the thought
that am slowly and surely wiping every stain
from my husbands honor, is my greatest earth
Il comfort. Mr.. Miner is his last creditor, ,and,
God willing, every cent shall be paid.''
Iier coarser relative responded with an en-
phstic ssiddlcstick,'' and angrily left her pre-
sence.
"At last have it, said sivery voice, ana
q sweet face glad and brilliant, frightened up
the gloom.
ssOuly see, mother ten dollars all my own I;
ten more make twenty, so we shall have nice
little sum for Mr.. Miner"
Tears trembled on the Widows lsshes, and
glittered on her pale cheek. Sis it to be the
price Of thy lie, my precious one she tho't.
"Is the csnker-worm at the heart of my beau
tifrl flower? Must 1 give thee up to weary
toll a sacrifice upon the altar of duty! Can it
be that God requires it !''
Eva knelt at her mothers feet, where she
had fallen with all the abandon of a child, her
glance fastened TO the shining gold. Lifting
her glance she met that of her mother, full of
anxiety, touched with sorrow. sudden smile
broke over her delicate features.
"I was only thinking of the endless things
this money would buy-don't look so grave,
rnamma-such beauty of warm shawl for
you, and neat crimson cover for that untdy
old arm chair; bit, ever so little bit of car
pet, to put down by the bed, that your feet
could not feel this cold floor, and a pretty cap,
besides coal, and tea and sugar, and such nice
comfortable things. But never mind" and
she sprang TO her feet, brushed back her brown
curls, and drew on her neat little bonnet
..never mind, I'll maybe write book one of
these days. that'll make you and rich. And,
dear mother, you shall ride in your own car
riage. aud maybe those that scorn us now, on
ly because We are poor, may be thankful for
our notice. A truce to romance she grave
ly continued 'sstern reality tells mo to go di-
rectly up to Madison street, find Mr.. Miner,
give him these twenty dollars, take receipt,
and then come home and read and sing to my
motber.''
the narrow streets. As she went onward street
after street diverged into pleasant width and
palace lined spendor. The houses of great
ness and wealth glittered in their marble beau
ty under the golden sunlight. Up broad steps,
thEougb portals carved and shining passed tho
tiift Steps of Eva Sterne.
AT first the pompous servant smiled con-
temptuous denial; but after moment, per-
haps softened by her childish simplicity and
winning blue eyes, he deemed it best not to
deny her urgency; she entered this palace of
a rich mans home.
Softly her feet sank in the luxurious hall
carpet. Statuary in bronze and marble lined
all the way to the staircase. The splsndor of
the room into which she was ushered seemed
ts her inexperienced eye too beautiful for ac-
tual use, and he who came in with his kindly
glance and handsome face, the noblest perfec-
tion of manhood she had ever seen.
"Well, young lady, said he, blandly smil-
ing, ssto whom am indebted for this plea
sure %
any father, sir, died in your debt" said
Eva blushingly, speaking very softly. ''By
the strictest economy and very hard work, we,
49,
creditors bat yourself. Ifyou'll be kind enough
10 receive the balance of your account in small
sums-I am sorry they must be so small, SIR
we can in the course of very few years fully
liquidate the debt, and then we shall have full
filed my fathers dying wish that every STAN
might be wiped from his honor" She paused
moment, and said again falteringly "My
father was very unfortunate, sir, and broken IN
health for many years, but, sir, ne was hohor-
able, he would have paid the last cent If it mad
left him beggar.''
Mr.. Miner sat awhile thoughtfully, his DARK
eyes fastened upon the gentle face before hlrn.
After a moment oil silence, he raised his head,
threw back the mass Of curling hair that shad-
owed his handsome brow, and said:
81 remember your father well / regretted
his dcsth. He wss = fine fsllow---a fine fell