The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-07-30
THE CONTRAST

A short winter day was drawing TO a clos
as young and poorly clad girl reached IN,
door Of splendid mansion in Becker st, New
York. The servant ushered her into a larg,
and elegant apartment, where sat Mrs. b
the mistress of so much wealth and grandeur
in conversation with n friend. The youne
girl stood for moment, and then curtesieC
and presented to Mrs. B. small bundle,
saying-"I hope the work will suit YOU
ma'am."
"The work is well enough" said Mrs
B., examining i. carefully "but why did
you not bring it before. II is at least n week
past the time it was promised. Unless you
are more punctual and keep your word bet
ter, cannot let you have any more work"
Ii was growing dark, and the room was not
yet lighted, so the tears that gathered in the
girls eyes could not be seen, but her voice
was very tremulous rs she answered
81 did not mean to break my word, ma'am
but my mother has been much worse, and
my little brother in choppng wood cut his
foot. so ] had to"-here her voice became
inarticulate and she hurried out of the room.
"1his is always the way with these peo-
ple," said Mrs. B, "a sick mother, or
aunt, or cut foot-anything for an excuse"
injury ItUCUtu lUe HumDIC
dwelling she called home. Whether her
feelings were laboring under the wound so
ihoughtlessly inflicted, or her mothers illness
distressed her, or her heart sickened at the
thought OF helpless poverty; or it might
have been the contrast between the room
she had left, and the one she had Just enter
ed, which forced itself upon her; whatever
was the cause, contrary to her usual serenity
ana care to appear as cheerful as possible be-
lore her mother, she covered her face with
hands, and leaning upon the rude table be-
fore her, burst into passion of tears. 1t
vas for but moment before faint voice
from the bed called "AIary," She started
from her posture of grief, and went to her
mothers bedside.
"Alary, dear, wipe your eyes and sit down
by me here, and read the thirty-fouIth Psalm.
1t will do us both good"
Mary reached down from the shelf the
wel-worn Bible, and seated at the foot of
her mothers bed, in subdued voice read
aloud. She had just finished the verse "Many
are the Affections Of the righteous, but the
Lord delivereth him ont of them ALL" when n
gentle tap was heard at the door. A little
girl some years younger than Mary opened
it, and lady entered.
ais this where Mary Morris lives %
Mary started up from the bed. "That is
my name, ma'am."
"Ah, yes, YOU are the one just saw at
Mrs. B-'s: | enquired you out, and have
come to see if could be of any service TO
you, how is your mother :"
The last taIlow candle was dimly burning
beside the bed where Mary had been reading.
The LADY won awards IL and tooE tho hand
of the emacated sufferer.
"Ilave you physician =
"No ma'am. My poor husbands sickness
cost me so much, that have now nothing to
pay one. hope shall get better in a few
days, and then all will 90 well but now it
is very hard for poor Mary"
"But you have high fever and should be
attended TO, my husband is a physician, he
will call and prescribe for you, and here are
some provisions for the childaen, and, Mary,
just open the door-my servant has brought
you wheelbarrow load of wood ready split
give all you attention to your mother, you
shall be provided for"
Their hearts were too full for expression
of thanks but the lady needed them not to
convince her that there was no luxury like
doing good. Tears were shed in that humble
room that night, but not of bitterness, and
there we're thanksgiving that would put TO
shame the feeble gratitude of thousands that
are "increasing in goods" that have need of
nothing.
Mrs. B went that night to witness the
performance Of popular tragedy, and was
so overcome by the distress of the hero and
heroine, as to be unable to attend to any.
thinp p else for spvprnl davs