True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-12-23

her in. Her name was Martha Allen,
and her father was a poor day laborer
who had been confined 10 his bed for sew
eral months, having been injured while
blasting rocks. Martha was only fifteen,
and was mild, blue eyed, pretty GIRL
She had come to see if Mr.. Burr could
not help her father. ...
"Why should he send to me :" the
old man asked, nerviously..
"Oh, sir, he does not know that have
gone out to beg for them," returned the
girl but could not Bear to see him
suffer SO in body and mind without try
ing 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 on his shoulders, when
he gets up. But, thus far l have not run
in debt, though be thinks have, and l
dare not wholly undeceive him, for fear
that must do so. We have spent every
cent that he has laid up, and have work.
ed hard, and sold many of my things !;
but Fhave nothing more 10 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"
T." But what would you have, girl p the
old man asked, moving uneasily on his
old chair. I...
" A dollar, sir, or two dollars. You
would not miss it, while ..'
Not miss it And do you think l
am made of money!" '...
At this moment Kate left the room,
and in moment more she opened the
door, and called for her uncle to come
out.
What is it?" he asked, as he came
into the back room, leaving the poor girl
alone. .'r-..
" Uncle Absolom, you must not let
} that poor child go away empty handed"
she said placing both hands on his shoul
ders. Just think Of her poor father
and how much she suffers for him. You
are able, and as sure as you give IN char.
ity 10 her, so sure shall you rewarded
be-" ... 81. '.. .''....t
"And who shall reward me, child :"
{" Your own thoughts and feelings, un-
cle." -.
"But | haven'tthe money to spare"
Then give her ten dollars"
"Ten dollars Mercy Kale, you would
ruin me-" '
"Hear me out. Give her ten dollars,
and if at the end of six months you want
it back, will pledge myself. TO see it
paid" - .
"You will see itpaid! Where will
you get q" .'...+ .'
al have more than that much money
which l have laid up to buy clothes"
81 can 60 without clothes easier than l
can see a. poor, honest man suffering,
when by any means he may be blessed.
n o, | would rather have the free, heart
felt blessing of one honest soul, than all
the dresses in the world. To walk forth
and feel that l am loved for the good do
were better far, than millions of money
piled away in dark corners. Go and
give her ten dollars and keep me to my
promise, for 1 will not break it. But mind
you, my name must not be mentioned
Give it to her as your own gift" n',
"But you will pay me!' ..4.
When you ask for it," ...'
I" think il is foolish 10 throw away
your money SO, and yet III give it to her
you won't come to me for new dresses
though :" .," ..'.:.
, "No SIR" ... .1..... .'
The old man returned, and having pul.
led out his pocket book, he drew out len
dollars and handed it to Martha Allen.
I" Here" said he, stake this, and see
! that you make good use of it," ~
The poor girl took the money with q
! trembling hand, and as she looked at the
bills-two fves, she was startled.
You have made mistake sir" she
said. r'..,.~ ~......
{" How so!"
! 9 You have given me ten dollars" .
$50 meant, girl" II. t. .t. d.
r. A moment the child gazed into the OLE
mans face, and then bursted into tears.
90, sir" she uttered, catching hi
hand and pressing her lips upon it,
G cd bless you for this You know no
! what Joy will illuminate my poor fathcr''
, heart when he knows Of this (! God bles:
you, now and forever" -ci,r,.,
When Martha Allen was gone, Abso
, lom Burr wiped a tear from his eye.--
| Kate looked up through her own tears
i and saw him. She moved quietly to his
: side, and putting her soft arms arount
. his neck, she kissed him on the cheek
=, but did not speak. .a5..I ls
j, That night when Absolom Burr lait
! his head on his pillow, he had new
emotion, aud it was strange one to him
yet it was sweet and blessed one. H,
: had done deed of charity, and the bles
Y sing Of that poor but noble girl, .rung ii
: his ears and dropped upon his soul ant
: 10 imagined he could hear the prayer o
t. Mark Allen ascending to Heaven in hi
i behalf. He knew Mark for an honest
industrious, steady, and hard working
man, and he felt sure, that Mark woul,
a pray for him. Surely the thought was
one,