Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-12-02
eyes oPEN.n

"Our minister said in his sermon last
evening", said Mrs. Beach, the wife of
prosperous wholesale dry goods merchants
on market street, as she busted her mantel
OF porcelain and marble, on Monday, ''that
ne who wanted to do good must keep a
constant lookout for opportunities; that
God does not find our work, and bring il
ready fitted and prepared to the hand: but
and suffering, the poor and the oppres-
sed."
'"Now l am certain" continued the lady
as she replaced marble Diana in the cen
tire of the mantel, Il should like to do some
good every day one feels SO much better
when they 90 to rest at night; and I'll just
keep my "eyes open" to-day, and see if |
come across any opportunities that under
ordinary circumstances [ should let slip"
Half an hour later Mrs. Beach was in
the nursery, with the washerwoman who
had come for the clothes. 81 wish, Mrs.
Simms," said she, as she heaped the soiled
linen in the basket, ''that you would get
Tommy's aprons ready for me by Wednes-
day; as we are going out of town, to re-
main until Saturday, and | shall want a
good supply on hand for such careless
little scamp as he is.
"Well, Pll try ma'am," said the wash,
erwoman: 'Tve got behind hand great
deal since Sammy had the whooping cough
but now he's better, and | must try tc
make up for lost time"
"Has he had the whooping cough? Poo
little fellow! How old is he 2" questioned
the lady,
"He was three last April, maam."
"And Tom is four" unused the lady,
'cLook here, Mrs. Simms, won't you jus
: open the lower drawer of that bureau, am
) take out those four green worsted dresse
e in the corner? Toms outgrown them, yo
: see since last winter, but they are almos
: as good as new. Now, if you want ther
: for little Sammy, they'll do nicely, withor
altering, l Think
$ "Want them, Mrs. Beach q answere
: the woman, with tears starting in her din
; eyes-"I haven't any words to thank yo
or tell you what a treasure they'll be. VIII
y y hey'Il keep the little fellow as warm ;
y toast all winter"
: "Well, Pllsplace them on top of Il
!, clothes" said the lady, smiling to herse
: as she thought, "My eyes have been ope
e. ed once to day"
u Not long afterwards Mrs. Beach was
. her way to Market-for she was notab
~ housekeeper-when she met a boy W
: had lived short time in her family t
" year before, to do errands, wait on the do
y &c. He was bright, good-hearted b.
Sc Sc and had been great favorite with the ia
lily, and Mrs. Beach had always felt int
as as ested in him, but this morning she was
elt hurry, and would have passed him W
y cordial but hasty, "How are you, jose
ler nay boy? Do come and see us" hac
- not struck her that Joseph's face did
wear its usual happy expression. She p
10 sed, as the memory of last nights serm
ng flashed through her mind, and asked:
ns there anything the ematter with you, JOSEF
lce You do not look as happy as you used
:ve The boy looked up moment, wit
lss; half-doubting, half-confding expression,
s.s s to the Eldy's face the latter triumphed
ne 'Mr. Anderson's moved out of town,
anu said, pushing back his worn, but ne
ana brushed cap from his hair, $50 I've lost
'ad place; then little Mary's sick, and
; oi makes it very bad just now"
me $50 it does" answered Mrs. Beach,
seP- sympathies warmly enlisted. "But n
V mind, Joseph; remember, only night
ome fore last, my brother said he would ws
-tne new errand boy in few days, for his $
eous and he'd give good one two doll'