True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-12-23
. But stop |! Who gave that saving gift

But stop Who gave that saving gift ?
Who did that deed ofcharityl
"By the saints" murmered the old
man, starting up in bed, L" did it, Kate
shan't pay me one cent! She shan't -
bless me if she shall p
And Absolom laid back upon his pill
low, and in the night he dreamed that
Martha Allen was an Angel, and that she
came 10 bless him. 1t was a sweet, cheer
ing dream.
Two days afterward Kate proposed
that they should go aud visit Mark Allen.
+" For our presence may cheer him, said
she.
And the old man finally consented to
60. They reached the humble cot, and
we're welcomed by Martha. They found
old Mark sitting in stuffed chair, which
a neighbor had sent ir, and though be
looked pale and wan, yet warmer smile
suffused his face when he saw his visitors.
"Mr. Bnrr," he said, while big tears
stood in his eyes. II can never pay you
for the noble kindness you have shown
me. may at some time pay you the
money, but cannot pay you all, for the
bare money is nothing compared to the
knowledge that l have such generous
friend to stretch out his saving hand in
this hour of gloom and misery"
"Talk not Of money to me-" returned
Uncle Absalom, earnestly and warmly
"If it served you l am already more
than repaid. The blessings of men are
cheeply purchased, when so slight sum
can do it; and. moreover, have been
more than repaid in the very knowledge
that have been of service to suffering
fellow"
Even Kate was surprised by this; but
she knew that it was real, and she was
glad. ....i.
When they arose to depart, at the end
of an hour, Martha followed them TO the
door, and there she blessed the old man
again. He was moved by a generous
impulse, and he took golden half eagle
from his pocket and handed il 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, and if you will permit me, | will
relinquish the gift in her behalf. The
Widow Wildredge is very low, and her
daughter is sick. | carried them over
some food this morning and found them
quite destitute"
But Uncle Absaloon was a stubborn
man, and would have his own way.
"Take this" he said, "and we may
find another for Mrs. Wildredge. Your
father will not be able to work for some
time yet. Ifyou will, ] will call on Mrs.
Wildredge--but if you refuse me, 1 wont
move step only towards home.
Martha took the money with fearful
eyes, and Mr.. Burr heard more blessings
as he turned away. Widow Wildredge's s
dwelling was not far off, and thither the
uncle and niece turned their steps. They
found the mother, woman of some fifty
years, sitting by the bedside of her sick
daughter. She arose as the visitors came
in, and her countenance plainly showed
that she wondered why Absalom Burr
called. But she saw an angel in Kate's
mild blue eyes.
Absalom and the widow were playmates
once, and the ice was soon broken.--
Gradually, the uncle and niece drew forth
the story Of the woman's sufferiigs, and
then the old man drew our his pocket.
book, and took therefrom fifteen dollars.
"Here," said he as he handed it to the
widow, 'this may serve to tighten your
burden some. am able while you are
needy. Take and remember that you
may look'to me again when need come:
upon you" .. ~. ...
| Mechanically the woman took the mo
ney, and having gazed first upon the
charmed notes, and then upon the donor
she bowed her head and thanked God fol
the blessings. And then while the tear.
gushed forth, she caught the old man by
the hand and poured forth her thanks.
When Absalom Burr sat down to hi.
supper that night, that shade upon hi
face was as soft as the radiance of tn,
setting sun. His food was eaten with
keen relish, and he could now return
Kate's smile. And on that night, too
his dreams were more pleasant than ever
Some time during the next day Kat,
came up from the cellar, and asked he
uncle what that dark vault was for.
"HoW did you find iI?" he cried il
quick alarm. e..
"The door was partly open." a.
81 did forget to lock it. l remembe
it now"
"But what is it, uncle?"
The old man finally confessed to Kat
that he had over. twenty thousand dollar
slowed away there.
"Why uncle! Is it possible! An,
you let it lay there in the dark, withou
use."
% "But il the assessors knew it, they
make me pay taxes on it,"
Kate was about to give utIerance to
very indignant response, but size held
back. and went and sat, down by the Of
mans side.
"NOW look here, Uncle Absalom, bOv