The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-03-25
sTRoUDsBURG MONROE COUNTY, PA. MARCH 25 1885,

boy once more, and that his mother va.
with him to care for and love him.
In the morning he was aroused by the
notes of sweet, blithe song. He started
up as he heard the Same beautiful song
which his mother used to sing in her hap
piest moments. He arose and dressed
himself, and shortly afterwards came In
She had built fire in the old fireplace
out in the porch, and the coffe was alrea,
dy made. She greeted the old man with
happy smile and another kiss. Her
cheeks were all glow, and her face pre-
sented the very picture of health and hap.
pincss.
A breakfast of dry toast and butter,
coffee, and few warm biscuit, was soon
on the table, and as the old man sat down
that shade upon his'face grew softer still
After breakfast Kate arose and put her
arms around his neck, and said
Now, uncle. that you have female in
the house, you ought to sleek up little
enough for comfort, at any rate. In the
first place, We want just seven panes OF
glass set. Now go to the glazier and
have this done at once, for you know
your own health and comfort will be en-
hanced thereby
well-I have been thinking OF
this for some time Kate; but it costs too
much"
Never mind that, uncle Absalom.--
Let US first have those things which are
absolutely necessary to our health and
comfort, and then we will examine our
funds, and if we are likely to run short,
We can economize in something else,'
so We can said the old man, and thus
speaking. he left the house. .-e
And all that afternoon Kate worked
briskly about the house, with mop, and
soap, and water, so that when Absalom
came home he was astonished. The floor
was clean and white, the fireplace neat,
and the new windows let in such guam
tity of light that it seemed like new
room. Kate got such dinner as she
was able to pick up, and the afternoon
was spent in mending some of her uncle's
old clothes. He came in towards the
middle of the afternoon, and she told him
she was out Of -four. He proposed get
ting two pounds, but she finally made him
see that it would be to his interest to get
barrel. 1t came hard to pay out six
dollars for a barrel Of -four, but he did it;
and while he was about it, be got pound
of tea, pound of coffee, dollars worth
of sugar, and some other little things
These be had sent home, and when be
came to sit down to his supper of light
warm biscuit, and taste the fragrant tea,
he really confessed to himself that be was
the gamer by the money thus far expended
Thus matters moved on for week.
The old man watched her every move
mept, but could see nothing wasted. Ev-
cry crumb was cared for and saved, and
be was surprised to see what excellent
dishes she prepared from almost nothing.
One afternoon when the wind blew
cold. and the snow was falling fast, a
poor girl raped at the door, and Kate
let her in. Her name was Martha Allen,
and her father was poor day laborer
who had been confined to his bed for
several 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 mel the old
man asked nervously. re
'Oh, sir, he does not know that have
gone out to beg for him. returned the
girl; but | could not bear to see him suf-
fer so 10 body aud mind, without trying
to help him. For three long months be
has lain in bis bed and now he is kept
back by the fearful thought of the debt
he will have upon his shoulders when he
gets up. But thus far have not run him
in debt, though he thinks I have, and !
dare not wholly uDdcceive him, for fear
that must do SO. We have spent every
cent be had laid up, and have worked
hard and sold many Of my things; but
have nothing more to sell, and all my
time must be spent with him. 0, sir, for
the love Of mercy, give me something. Il
We ever can repay you. We will
But what would you have, girl!' said
the old man, moving uneasily in his chair
"A dollar, sir, or two dollars. You
would not miss it, While
Not miss i'll And do you think an
made of money!
At this moment Kate left the room
leaving the poor girl alone.
Uncle sAbsalom. you must not send
that poor child away empty handed, she
said placing both hands upon bis shoul.
ders. Just think Of her poor father, and
of how much she suffers for him. Y ou
are able, and as sure as you give in
charity to her, SO sure shall you be rewsr'
| ded.' w ~
| And who's to reward me, child =
Your own thoughts and feelings, un.
cle.' e0@5 a- aslaa AAaa1G
Give her ten .dollars--' u.g
Ten dollars! Mercy, Kate, 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