Litchfield enquirer., 1857-04-23
The Ten Dollar Piano.

A beautiful child of seven summers, witl 2 the golden light of youth streaming all oyel her bright cur's, childhood's fresh Iustre Hi he1 dark eyes, and June's reddest roses on her dim pied cheeks came rushing up to me.
 'Oho 7 she cried, tossing the stray curls iron her brow, we've got the spcndidest new p::,. no over home and mother wants you to come and try it. She says you shall play on it first Now 1 am a child with children my heart } bounds, my pulses leap in unison with their when the locks are s:lyered on my temples and my step grows slow upon the stair case, when the voices of my loved and only Ike. remember cd music, when my hands grasp becomes trem- ulous like the loosening tendrs of the dying vine still Iilay the feet of infancy batter around my knec ard its red lips breathe perfume on my withered cheek.
 Away went ink and pen, and up bounded I to catch the hand of little Nellie, and off we ran in at beautiful mansion, into room softly lighted, where Nele's mother who was an invalid laid upon her accustomed couch and up to the new piano to soothe the weary sick one with strains of music Tie instrument was one after my own heart, rich toned full and melodious and the soft strains answered liquidly to my touch. Now the sweet verse of Burns " Highland Maryland now the swectcr music of Tappan's There's all hour Of 1 peaceful rest occurred .o.my memory, and SO played and sang till Ntll"'s father came. He was handsome man, in the full vigor of manhood, and fom kim his little daughter in- hcrted her golden tinted hair and haz eyes, He took a seat near his wife. and drew her thin hand into hs, and he spoke to Ter. Then when praised the new piano, he turned to me laughingly and said:
 Yes, but the best part of it S, it only cost me ten dollars"
 expressed my astonishmant, and my look of woader drew another laugh from him.
 Let me tell you the story,' he said, draw ing Nellie towards him, and cncirclrg her lit- tie form with his arm, while she looked with as much astonishmcnt as myself, and he began
 "A few years ago. went to Chicago. had been there but few days, when, ill taking one of my morning walks, 1 encountered girl some twelve years od very intelligent, bright eyed little chd whose face wore such DOW crfu cxpressior that almost stopped to speak with her as she passed. The morning was raw and chilly the ground wet from a light fall of early snow, and noticed that as the wind blew through her thin garments about her she shvcrcd with cold. As she went by, she half turned, ard was gone lut little way, before heard footsteps behind ne, ard stopping the girl lifted her hand as if to place it on my arm drawing back, she sui,i
 Please sir, if you coal give me little money, to buy bread
 Are you hungry :! asked.
 Yes, sir real hungry and licr little lips uuiycred
 Doesn't your father work, and bring home bread.'
 Father is sick, and mothcr spraincd her arm, and my brother. who used to help us Was drowned not long ago.
 Something in my heart, and in her face told me that her story was true. l took her into bakers shop, bade her hold out her tattercd apron, and filled it with loavcs. Then putting 1 five dollars in the shopmau's hand, stipulated that the poor family was to have tread every morning. till the money was exhausted. Then 1 slipped another five dollars in the girls hand aud turned hastily from her teal-iil'cd eyes Well, ten dollars had gonc, and l was by no mean's rich enough to spare 1t, hut felt as If ao doubt the Lord would make it ur, and at any rate, ten dollars was cheap enough Tor the pleasure of giving to Gods roor chdr> H. went back to my hotel and commenced my breakfast when felt hand on ny shoulder, and look ing up, there sat all old friend had not seen for. fourteen years When last saw him, he was young man, just starting in the world, 1 with little means, and few friends. l I have not grown rich he said after the first surprise of recognition Was over but am able to pay my debts. Do you remember one day. fourteen years ago, you lent me ten dollars in my extremity, ard told ne never 10 pay it unless was able Here is ten dollar gold piece, and am sorry cannot donlle it. for your kindness 70 me when l was in trouble But come and sec me on your way through Iowa. and my wife and children will thank you with me-"
 I was very much astonishcd and affected for had totally forgotten his obligation, but l could not refuse his rcurn. Truly, thought, giving to the Lord does not impovcrish man, and said to myself, I'll see what this ten dol lars will bring me. So looking about, made a little investment in the new laud, and went home Three weeks ago, had an offer of five hundred dollars for my laa1. 1 accepted it, and bought my wife and little Nellie this piano.
 It seems like dream said I, gazing with a sort of reverence on the beautiful instru- ment :: You ought to commemorate the incl dent in some manner added.
 l have thought of inscribing on a small sil- yer plate the words, Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days, but it does not seem exactly appropriate to the case.'
 Did you ever see the girl again, papa 1? asked Nellie
 No, my dear but have heard from her through the German missionary. She is a good scholar and teaches little school her self in Chicago She has become a handsome , and refined young woman, and is educating her only brother younger than herself. I learned from him that my little gift put new life into the sinking heart of the poor, sick father, and