The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-06-25

"Yes-well-I have been thinking of
this sometime, Kate, bat it costs so much"
,"Never mind that, Uncle Absalom. Let
US 6rst have those things which are sbso.
lutely necessary to our health and comfort,
and then we will examine our funds, and if
we are likely to fall short, We can ecOno.
mize in something else."
$50 we can," said the old man; and thus
speaking he left the house. In half an hour
afterwards the glazier came, and before
noon the windows were perfect.
"And all that forenoon Kate worked brisk
ly about the house with mop, and soap, and
water, SO that when Absalom come home
he was astonished. The floor was clean and
white, the fire place neat, and the new win
dows let in such an extra quantity of light
that it seemed like a new room. Kate gol
such dinner as she was able to pick up
and the afternoon she spent in menaing
some of her uncle's old clothes. He came
in towards the middle OF the forenoon, and
she told him that she was cut of flour. He
proposed getting two pounds, but she finally
made him see that 'twould be for his inter.
est to get a barrel. 1t came hard to pay out
six dollars for barrel Of -four, but he did
it; and while he was about it he got pound
Of tea, pound of ccffce, dollars worth oi
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 taste the fragrant tea, he really confess.
ed to himself that he was goiner by the
money thus far expended.
Thus matters moved on for week. The
old man watched his niece's every move
ment, 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 af
ternoon when The wind blew cold, and the
snow was falling fast, poor girl raped al
the dosr, and Kate let her in. Her name
was Martha Allen, and her father was poo
day. laborer who had been confined TO hi,
bed for several moAths, having been severe
ly injured While blasting rocks. Martha wOl
only fifteen, and was mild, blue eyed, pret
ty girl. She had ccmeto see if Mr.. Burr
could not help her father.
"Why should he send to mel" the oil
man asked, nervously.
80, sir, he does not know that have gon,
out to beg for him." returned the girl; "bu
! / could not Bear to see lnm suffering so il
body and mind, without trying u help him
For three long months he has lain in BIZ
bed, and now he is kept back by the fearfu
thought Of the dest he will have upon hi
shoulders hen he gets up. But thus far
have not run him in debt, though he think
I have, and / dare not wholly undeceive him
for fear that must do so. We have spen
every cent he had LAID up, and I have work
ed hard and sold maHy OF my things; bat
have nothing more to sell, and all my TIM
must be spent with him. o, sir! for ih
love of mercy give me something, If w
ever can pay you we will"
"But what would you have, girls" the oil
man asked, moving uneasily in his chair.
"A dollar, sir, or two dollars. You woul
not miss it, while :"
"Not miss it! And do you think / am mad
of moneys"
At this moment Kate left the room, an
ina moment more she opened the door an
called for her uncle to come out.
"What is it!" he asked. as he came int
the back room leaving the poor girl alone.
"Uncle Absalom, you must not send thu
poor child away empty handed" she sal,
placing both hands upon his shoulders
Just think of her poor father, and of ho
much she suffers for him. You are abb
and as sure Gs you give in charity to her, +
sure shall your reward oe."
+ "Aad whu's to reward me, chid!"
"Your own thoughts and feelings, uncle
"But / haven't the money to spare"
"Then giveeher ten dollars"
"Ten dollars! Mercy, Kate, would "
ruin met"
; "Hear me out. Give her ten dollars, al
if, at the end of six months, you want 1t ba,
: | will pledge myself to see it paid"
"You see it paid? And where will y
: get itl" -.fa -,
81 have more than that-money which
have laid up to buy me clothes with"
4 "Then you cannot spare It,"
~ can 90 without clothes easier than
4 can see poor. honest man suffering, VIII
!, by my means he may be blessed. o,
would rather have the free, heartfelt BILE!
. | ing of one honest soul than all the dress
a in the world. To walk forth and feel Il
). I am loved for the good | do were better
\ than millions of money piled away in d'
corners Go and give her ten dollars, a
10 keep me to my promise, for | will not bre
ID It.. But mind you-my name must not
q mentioned. Give It to her as your o
IN gift"
or "But you will pay me?"
:. "When you ask for it."
i. 81 think it's foolish for you to throw a,
your money so. and yet I'll give it to
ee You wont come to ME for dresses. thoug
a. "No, sir"
del The old man returned, and having p