The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-03-25

the dresses in the world. To walk forth
and feel that am loved for the good do,
were better far than millions of money
piled away in dark corners. Go and
give her ten dollars, and keep mo to my
promise, for I will not break it. But
mind you-my name must not be men
toned; give it to her as your own gift
But when will you pay me ? s-
when you ask for it.
1 think it is foolish to throw away
your money SO, and yet I'll give it to her.
You won't come to me for dresses thought
| No, SIR
The old man returned, and having
pulled out his pocket book, he drew out
ten dollars, aDd handed it to Martha Al
len. ..--
Here said he, take this and see that
you make good use of it,
! The poor girl took the money with
trembling hand, and as she looked at the
bills--two fyes- she was startled.
you have made a mistake she said
How so7'
you have given me ten dollars
80 meant, girl
A moment the child gazed into the old
mans face, and then she burt into tears.
20, sir, she uttered, catching his band,
and pressing her lips upon them. God
bless you for this You know not what
JOY will illumine my poor fathers heart
when be hears of this God bless you
now and forever'
When Martha Allen was gone, Absa-
lom Burr wiped tear from his eye
Kate looked up through her own tears
and saw him. She moved quietly to his
side, and putting her soft arms about his
neck, she kissed him on the check, but
she did not speak.
An excellent supper was partaken Of,
and il the evening Kate sung some of
her sweetest songs to her uncle, and more
than once while she sang, she saw tears
in bis eyes.
That night when Absalom Burr laid
his head upon his pillow, he had new
emotion, and it was strange one to him
yet it was sweet and blessed one
He had done deed of charity, and the
blessings of,hat poor but noble girl rung
in his ears and dropped upon his soul
and he imnagined he could hear the
prayers of Mark Allen ascending to Hca-
ven in his behalf. lie knew Mark Allen
for an honest, industrious, steady, hard
working man, and he felt sure that Mark
would pray for him. Surely the thought
was a blessed one.
But stop Who gave that saving gift!
Who did that deed Of charityy
| by the saints murmured the old man,
starting half up in bed, 4 did it, Kate
shan't pay me one cent! She shant;
bless me if she shallp
And Absalom lay back upon his pill
low, and in the night he dreamed that
Martha Allen was an angel, and that she
came to bless him. 1t was sweet cheer
ing dream.
Two days afterward Kate proposed
that they should 60 and visit Mark Allen.
For said she, our presence may cheer
| him.
b And the old man finally consented to
60. They reached the humble cot and
were welcomed in by Martha. They
found old Mark sitting in a great stuffed
chair which Deishbor had sent in, and
though he looked pale and wan, yet
warm smile suffused bis face, as he saw
the visitors. 1l
'Mr. Burr be said, while big tears
stood in his eyes: L can never pay you
for the noble kindness you have shown
me. may at some time pay you the
money, but | cannot pay you all. for the
bare money is nothing compared with tho
i knowledge that l have such generous
friend to stretch ont his saving hand in
the hour of gloom and misery
Talk not of money to me- returned
uncle Absalom earnestly and warmly
If it served you, am already moro than
repaid The blessings of man are cheap
tly purchased when SO slight sum can
do it; and moreover, have been more
than repaid by the very knowledge have
been Of service to suffering fellow
Even Kate was surprised at this; but
she knew that it was real, and was glad.
When they arose to depart at the end
I of an hour. Martha followed them to the
door, and there she blessed the old man
again He was moved by generous i'm
pulse, and he took a golden half eagle
] from his pocket and handed it to her.
NO, SIR she said, drawing her hand
back, what youohave already given us
i will suffice until father gets out. But
lthereiis one who would be blessed with
1.-THE gift, and if you will permit me, | will
relinquish the gift in her behalf. The
widow -WiIdridge is very low and her
! daughter is sick. carried them over
some food this morning and found them
quite destitute aiem aease
b But uncle Absalom was stubborn
man and would have his own way.
take this be said, and we Pay ind
another for Mrs. Wcldridge. Your fath-
er will not be able to work for some time
yet. If you will, will call on the wild
ow-but if YOU refuse me, | won't move
step only towards home.