Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-09-24


for the while he forgot the long, dark years tina
had passed away since those boyhood days
The old man went to his bed and dreamed II
dreamed that he vas n boy once more, and tina
his mother was " it'll him. TO care for and love him
In the morning he was aroused BY the notes o
sweet, blithe song. He started up and listened
and he heard the same beautiful song which hi
mother used to sing in happiest moments. He q
rose and dressed himself and shortly afterward,
Kate came in. She had built fire in the ole
fireplace out in the porch, and the coffee was
already made. She greeted the old man with q
happy smile and another kiss. Her cheeks
were all a-glow, and her face presented the very
picture of health and happiness.
A breakfast of dry toast and butter coffee and
few warm biscuit, was soon on the table, and
as the old man sat down, that shade upon his
face grew softer still. After breakfast, Kate a
rose and put her arms around his neck, and
said
Now, uncle, that you have female in the
house, you ought surely to slick up a little
enough for comfort at any rate. In the first place
We want just seven panes of glass set. Now go
to the glazier and have this done at once, for you
know your own health and comfort will be en-
HANGED thereby
"Yes-well-I have been thinking, of this
some time, Kate but it costs too much'
Never mind that, Uncle Absalom. Let us
essary to our health and comfort, and then We
will examine our funds, and if we are likely tC
fall short, we can economize in something
else" aHI H .ts
So we cam" said the old man; and thus
speaking he left the house.
In half an hour afterwards the giazier came
and before noon the windows were perfect.
And all that forenoon Kate worked briskly
about the house with mop, and soap, and water
tl,ak, L. l.
tonished. The floor was clean and white, the
fireplace neat, and the new windows let in such
quantity of light that it seemed like a new
room. Kate got such a dinner as she was able
to pick up, and the afternoon she spent in mend
ing some of her uncle's old clothes. He came
in towards the middle of the afternoon, and she
told him she was out of -four He proposed get.
ting two pounds, but she finally made him see
that it would be to his interest to get 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 coffee, dol
lars 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
taste the fragrant tea he really confessed to him
self that he was gamer by the money thus far
expended.
Thus matters moved on for a week. The old
man watched his niece's every movement. but
was cared for and saved, and he was surprised
to see what excellent dishes she prepared foi al
most nothing.
One afternoon when the wind blew cold, and
the snow was falling fast, a poor girl raped a,
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 sew.
eral months, having been severely injured
while blasting rocks. Martha was only fifteen,
,xN.ll 81 Gt,n
had come to sec if Mr.. Burr could not help hei
father.
"Why should he send to me 2" the old man
asked nervously.
40, sir, he does not know that have gone
out to beg for him. returned the girl; but l
could not bear to see him suffer so in body and
mind, without trying to help him. For three
long months he has lain in his bed, and now he
is kept back by the fearful thought of the debt
he will have upon his shoulders when he gets
up. But thus far have not run him in debt,
though he thinks l have, and dare not wholly
undeceiye him, for fear that must do so. W.
have spent every cent he had laid up. and
have worked hard, and sold many of my things
but l have nothing more to SELL and all my
time must be spent with him. o, sir! for the
love of mercy, give me something. If we ever
can repay you, we will.
But what would you have, girl :" the ole
man asked, moving uneasily in his chair.
"a dollar, sir, or two dollars. You would not
miss it, while
Not miss it And do you think 1 am made
of money!
At this moment Kate left the room and in a
moment more she opened the door and called for
her uncle to come out.
"What is iti" he asked, as he came into thu
back room, leaving the poor girl alone.
'Uncle Absalom, you must not send that poo
child away empty handed" she said, placing
both hands upon his shoulders. "Just think o
her poor father, and of how much she suffers fol
him. You are.able, and as sure as you give il
charity to her, so sure shall you rewarded be-"
"And who's to reward me, childl"
''Your own thoughts and feelings, uncle"
But haven't the money to spare"
Then give her ten dollars
Ten dollars Mercy, Kate, you would ruin
me-
Hear me out. Give her ten dollars, and if al
the end of six months you want it back, viii
pledge myself to gee it paid.
on see it paidl Where viii you get it,
II have more than that-money which l hav:
laid up to buy clothes with
Then you cannot spare it,"
81 can go without clothes easier than
can see poor honest man suffering, when by
my means he can blessed. 0, / would rather
have the free, heart felt blessing of one homes
soul than all the dresses in the world. To wall
forth and feel that am loved for the good do
were better far than millions of money piled a
way in dark corners Go and give her ten dol
lars, and keep me to my promise, for will no
break it. But mind you-my name must no
be mentioned Give it to her as your OWL
gift
But you will pay met"
"When you ask for it."
81 think it is foolish for you to throw away
nd Of ler;xy IN bar
won't come to me for dresses thought
mo sir ASS f..t.-.
The old man returned, and having pulled ou
his pocket-book, he drew out ten dollars an(
handed it to Martha Allen
.'Here," he said, "take this, and see that you
make good use of it."
The poor girl took the money with tremb
ling hand, and as she looked at the bills-tw'
fives-she was startled.
You have made mistake, SIR" she said.
"How sou
''You have given me ten dollars
$50 meant, girl"
A moment the child gazed into the old man
face, and then she burst into tears.
40, sirl" she uttered, catching his hand an
pressing her lips upon them. GOD bless yo
for this! You know not what Joy will alum
my poor fathers heart when he knows of this
God bless you, now and forever" 'ttt
When Martha Allen was gone, Absalom Bur
wiped tear from his eye. Kate looked u
through her own tears and saw him. She NOV
ed quietly to his sde and putting her soft arm
about his neck, she kissed him on the cheek
but she did not speak, L mt
An excellent supper was partalIen of, and il
the evening Kate sang some of the sweetes
songs to her uncle, and more than once Will
she sang, she saw tears in his eyes.
That night when Absalom Burr laid his hea
nil n Yfa
was strange one to him-yet it was swee
and blessed one. He had done deed of chai
ity, and the blessings of that poor bnt noble gil
vet rung in his ears and dropped upon his sou
and he imagined he could hear the prayers {
Mark Allen ascending to heaven in his behalf
He knew Mark Allen for an honest, industriou
steady, hard working man, and he felt sure .ba