True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-01-21
E. Gopb Story.
THE WIDOW AND HER DAUGHTER.

/" And so youstrip yourself of comfort
for the sake of adding to This rich mer.
chants gains %
The widow replied with flushed
cheek
1t may seem light thing with you,
but the thought that | am slowly and sure
ly wiping every stain from my husbands
honor is my greatest earthly comfort
Mr. Miner is his last creditor, and God
willing every cent shall be paid
Her coarser relative responded with an
emphatic " iddlestick," and angrily left
her presence.
Az last | have it," said silvery
voice, and sweet face, glad and brilliant,
frightened up the gloom.
"Only see mother! ten dollars, all
my own; ten more make twenty; so we
shall have nice little sum for Mr.. Mi
ner."
Tears trembled.on the widows lashcs,
and glittered on her pale cheek.
us it to be the price Of thy life my
precious one :" she thought. is the
canker-wora at the hear, of my beautiful
flower! Must | give thee up to weary
toll, sacrifice upon the alter of duty y?
Can ii be that God requires it?'
Eva knelt at,ber mothers feet, where
she had fallen with all the abandon of a
child, her hand fastened to the shining
gold.
Lifting her glance, she met that of her
mother, full of anxiety, touched with sor-
row. A sudden smile. broke over her
delicate features.
81 was only thinking of the endless
things this money would buy--don look
SO grave, malnma-such beautiful warm
shawl Tor you, and neat crimson cover
for that untldy old armchair; bit, ever
so little, Of carpet. to put down by the
bed, Il at your feet need not feel this cold
floor; and pretty cap, besides coal, and
tea and sugar, and such nice comfortable
things. But never mind" and she s. rang
to her fee!, brushed back her brown curls;
and drew on her neat little bonnet"
er mind, | Il may be write book one Of
these days, and that II make YOU, and me
rich. And dear mother, you shall ride in
your own carriage, and may be those
that scorn us now only because we are
poor, may be thankful Of our notice. A
truce to romance" she gravely contn-
ued "slern reality tells me 10 go directly
up to Madison Street, find Mr.. Miner,
give him those twenty dollars, lake re-
ceipt and then go home and read and
sing to my mother"
'llurriedly Eva passed from her house
along the narrow path diverging into
pleasant width and paace-lined splendor.
ilhe houses of greatness and wealth gilt
tered in their marble beauty under the
golden sunlight. UP broad steps, through
portals carved and shining, passed the
timid steps of Eva Slearne.
AT first the pomi Gus servant smiled
conlcmptous denial but after moment,
perhaps solened by her cnildisll simple
ity and winning blue eyes, he deemed it
best not to deny her urgency+-and she
entered this palace Of rich mans home.
Softly her feet sank in the luxurious
hall carpet. Statuary in bronze and mar
ble lined all the way 10 the stair case.--
The splerdor of the room into which she
was ushered seemed to her inexperienced
sight too beautiful for actual use, and he
who came in. with his kindly glance and
handsome face, was the noblest perfection
of manhood she had ever seen. ,.1.
"Well young lady be said, blandIy
smiling, 40 whom am ! indepted for
this pleasure :" iya....
..b"My father, sir, died in your debt"
said Eva, blushing, speaking very softly.
"By the strictest economy and very hard
work, we, my mother and |, have been
able 10 pay all his creditors but )ourself.
lfyou will be kind enough to receive the
balance oflyour account in small sums
am sorry they must be small, sir--we
can in the course of a few years, liqui.
date the debt, and tlen--we shall have
fulfilled my fathers dying wish, that
every stain should be wiped from his
honor She pauseda moment and said
again falIeringly, "my father was very
unfortunate, sir, and broken in health for
many years; but, sir, he would have paid
The last cent if il had left him a beg
gar" .stot s9qm .a' ' E
Mr.. Miner SAT. a while thoghlully, his
dark eye fastened upon the gentle face
before him. After moment Of silence,
heraiscd his head, lIrew back The mass
Of curling hair that shadowed his hand
some brow and said u,
m1"I remember your father well; re-
GREETED his death He was fine fellow
LA fine fellow" he added, musingly /;
nbut my dear young lady have you the
meansvAdo you mot embarass yourself
by making these payments ;" g,llil.
= ESa ,bIdsRed again, and looking up in
sgeniously replied ,al5N Al Aisll'igss
rI am obliged tOwork, sir, but hola.
Dor would be too arduous that would save