The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-07-29

was not whit behind Ashton in activit
and industry, and be relped the usual re
ward of present comfort and prospective
plenty. Though, as he told his friend
he meant to acquire wealth, it was no
for his own sake, but for the benefit Q
others. 1t was good proof of his sinceri
ty that be did not defer doing good til
the time should arrive when he could cal
himself rich. He knew that if be dit
not form the habit now, be would no
have the heart here after. He knew, anc
what ia better, be felt, that no one shoult
live to himself-not even a young man
just setting out 10 the world, who has hi
fortune to build up with his own hands,
He early came to the conclusion that b.
had four things to attend to in this life
viz, his own temporal and spiritual wei
fare and the temporal and spiritual vel
fare Of others-and is, of all the human
family who should come under hi, infu.
ence, either directly or indirectly. Here
! was a vide field, noble work; sufficient
to Gil the largest heart, aud task the high
est energies. This was the grand outline
of his scheme of life, and be left it to the
finger Of Providence to point out daily
the particular manner in which it was to
be filled up. With these views be stood
ready for every good word and work.
He was never so busy about bis own af-
fairs, that be could not stop to do a good
act. When called upon to leave his work
TO do something for poor neighbor, or
hand around subscription paper in aid
of some benevolent object, or do some
thing for the Church, or the village, he
did not call it an interruption, but con.
sidered it as branch of his business.
Ashton used to laugh at him, and tell
him be had chosen a strange road to
wealth.
Never mind Frank wonld say, my
road is rather circuitous to be sure, but
it is pleasant. You, Charles, are on the
htsh road to wcalth-a straight, dull turn
pike, where there are SO many driving by,
and SO many trying to oVertake you, that
you are blinded with dust. While my
path is through green, shady lane, "a
mong murmuring brooks and singing
BIRDS
'Ah! good bye to you, Frank. replied
friend, you are welcome to your brooks
and birds and shady lane; like the turn
pike best, aud don't mind getting little
gold dust in my eyes, provided the rest
settles in my pockets
Though Charles spoke SO gaily as he
turned away, there was still small
voice which whispered to his heart, and
told hiu that Frank was right and he
was wrong. But as this moDitor had not
been listened to when its tones were loud,
was it to be expected that its whispers
would be heard!
Among the poor ncighhors who shared
Franks kind attentions, was one whose
lonely and desoate condition |
gave her a strong claim to sympathy and
kindness. The widow Green, as she
was commonly called, had seen better
days; but she had lost her hush aud, her
and her property. One after
another, she had laid her little ones In
the grave, till only two remained, son
and daughter. All the generous sym
pathies of Franks nature were moved, |
when that only son was cut down just as
be had reached an age at which his poor
mother might begin to lean upon him
He resolved 10 the fulness of his heart, to
Il axe this widow bis especial care, aud
10 all in bis power to supply the place of
Ter lost son. He was unwearried in bis
lttentions, and though time was money to
lin, he gave it freely to provide for her
comfort. The widow Green had, as l
rave said, an only daughter; this was all
hat bad been saved from the wreck of
Ter earthly happiness. A rich treasure
vas the daugbter-st least, so thought
he widow--and so thought another.
Now | beg the reader not to call in
question the disinterestedness of Franks
attentions to the widow; for do assure
'ou, that when he resolved to be son to
Ter, he had no idea of literal fulfilmert.
But Benevolence meets with unexpected
ewards.
Mary Green was at this time about
Nineteen years old. | suppose you ex-
'ect me to say she was the prettiest girl
D the village; no such thing there we're
dozen as pretty, perhaps prettier; but
ont believe there was one who had q
Under heart, or more sweet and gentle
lanners. Though while her features
7ere at rest, you would not say she was
sudsome, but when they we're lighted up
nth thought and feeling, as they always
rere in conversation, you would acknowl-
dye there was beauty there. And the
cry best kind of beauty too--that which
ill not fade. This was ju-t the sort of
eauty to take with Frank. He found
20, that her views of duty, of the great {
nd of life. accorded with his own. That
,e Affections OF her family bad matured /
er character. and produced chasteDed ;
I'D elevated spirit, which eminently fitted !
er for the companionship of ole whose {
rest desire was to be good and do good. ,
One evening Frank and Mary bad been
akiDg long walk. it was bright noon
ght evening, of course, and then reach
] home just as the village clock struck