Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-01-21


Thev reached the humble cot, and were
welcomed in by Martha. They found old
Mark sitting in great stuffed chair, which
neighbor had sent in, and though he
looked pale and wan, yet warm smile sut-
fused his face as he saw the visitors.
"Mr. Burr" he said, while big tears stood
in his eyes, 81 can never pay yoa for the
noble kindness you have shown me. / may
at some time pay you the money, but can
not paw you a II, for the bare money is moth
ing compared with the knowledge hat
have such generous friend to stretch out
his saving hand in the hour of gloom and
misery" =
"Talk not of money to Els.'' returned
Uncle AbsaloIn, earnestly and warmly.-,
"If it served YOU am already more than
repaid. The blessings of man are cheapiy
purchased when slight sum can do it;
and moreover, have been more than re-
paid in tie very knoa'edge that have
been OF service TO suffering fellow"
Even Kate was surprised By this; but she
kn W that it was real. and she was glad.
Whea they arose to depart, at the end Of
an hour, Martha followed them TO the, door,
and there she blessed the old man again
tie was moved by generous impu ise, and
he took golden half eagle from his pocket
and handed it to her.
'No sir,'' she said, drawing her hand back,
"what you have already given US wi II suffice
until father gets out. But there is one who
would be blessed with the gift. and if you
will permit me | will relinquish the gift in
her behalf The Widow Widredge is very
low, and her daughter is sick. carried
them over some food this morning, and
found them quite destitute"
But Uncle Absaon was stubborn man,
and he would have his own way.
Take this" lie said,'' sand we may fud
another for Mrs. Wildredge. Your father
will not be able to work for some time yet.
If you will, | will call on the wido w-but if
you refuse me, wont move step only to-
wards home"
Martha took the money with fearful eyes,
and Mr.. Burr heard more blessings as he
turned away. Widow WiIdredge's dwelling
was not far off, and thither the uncle and
niece turned their steps They found the
mother, woman of some fifty years, sitting
by the bedside of her sick daughter. She
arose as the visitors came in, and her coun-
tenauce Plainly showed that she wondered
why Absalom Burr called. But she saw an
angel in Kate's mild blue eyes.
Absalom aud the widow were
playma;es once, and the ice was soon
broken. Gradually the uncle and niece
drew forth the story of the woman's suffer-
ings, and then the old man took out his
pocket-book, and took thereircm fifteen
doilcrs.
"Here," he said, as he handed it to the
widow, 'this may serve to tighten your bur
den some. am able while you are needy.
Tnke aeld remember t!rat ydu may look to
me agein when need comes upon you"
Mechanically the woman took the monsy,
and having gazed first upon the charmed
notes, and then upon the donor, she bowed
her head and thanked God for the blessing.
And then, while the tears gushed forth, she
csught the old man BY the hund and poured
forth her thanks.
When Absalom Burr sat down to his sup
per that night, that shade upon his face was
as soft as the radiance Of the se,tingsnn. His
food was ca en- with keen relish, ana he
could now return Kate's smile. And on
that night, too, his dreams were more plea
SAINT than ever.
Some time during the next Gay, Kate
came up from rhe Cellar, and asked her uncle
what that dark vault was for.
How did you find it!'' he cried, in quick
alarm.
. The door Was partly open"
Il did forget to lock l.. remember now"
'Bat u hat is it uncle!''
The old man finally confessed 10 Kate
that he had over twenty thousand dollars
slowed away there
"Why uncle! Is it possible! And you let
it lie there in the dark, without use."
"Rut if the assessors knew it, they'd make
me day taxes on it,
Kate was about o give utterance to a
very indignant response, but she held it |
back. and went and sat dowu by the old |
mans side.
"Now look here, Uncle Absalom, how
tLuCll NCIlu gud OC buACu Ou liiuI
cover hundred dollars year. Just |
think oft -
"Yes, and think OF this: Here is the rail-
road company just advertised for loan of |
twenty-five thousand dollars at five per cent.
You can make up the five thousand and let
them have it. Have you not fige thousand
more lying idle some where!"
sPerhaps so," said che old man; thought
fully.
"Then look at it. Thus you would not
only be helping the community. and assist
ing great public good, but you would at
the same time be realizing twelve hundred
and fifty dollars Il year where yuu do not
now get cent. And again. When the
company have got through with the money
you can build houses here in this town,
every one of which will lei as soon as
finished, and at fair rents. Think how you
will thus be beneiitting the community, and
ut the same time be -endernr yourself more
able TO bastow in charity such sums asyour
own good Judgment may dictate. And then
again" resumed Kate, as she noticed tine
doubling look on her uncle's face, show
much easier you would feel to know that
your money is safe, than to be worrying all
the while for fear that some one will come
in the night and rob you.''
This last hit touched vulnerable point,
and Absalom said he would think of it. And
he die think OF it to some purpose, for on
the very next morning he started off for
P, and having found the proper officers,
he told them that he could accommodate
them with the desired loan. They were
much pleased, and in short time they had
the money in gold and currcn, bills, and
Absalom had the notes and good security.
He went home with better opinion of his
fellow-men and of himself than he ever had
before, fer he had been thanked by uobe
gentlemen for his kindness, aud his opinion
had been asked on various important mat