The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-02-17

the truth, we have fifteen thousand dol
lars to pay tomorrow, and the money we
were depending upon to meet the note has
not come, and thought perhaps you
could help us, and we would pay you a
heavy bonus, with good security, and thus
give lift in return"
must see Annie first; she must de-
eide whether it is my duty to help you or
not" replied Walter, as be turned and
left the store. -.s...- ......-.
On his way home be thought of the SOL
itary half dollar his wife had received Of
The rich merchant, and resolved to let him
fail as reward, although he was amply
able to assist him. ...t. ..-
He told Annie of her brothers busi-
ness, and she generously advised him to
lend the money, 1t would do no good to
punish him for the past, but. on the con-
trary, they would have the satisfaction of
knowing they had obeyed the command
Return good for evil"
A few hours later Walter returned to
the store with the money. He took their
note, with ample security, and after the
business was settled, and Mr.. Browns
face began to decrease somewhat in length,
Walter took half dollar from bis pocket.
William" he said, as he laid the
money upon the desk, Il want you to
keep your eye on that half dollar while l
am talking. When reached home, 1
found my wife and children suffering for
food and clothing, while you, an only
brother, was living in luxury, You showed
your christianity towards your sister by
giving her, in the midst of her Safferibgs,
whole half dollar! She, in return, ad.
vised me to save you from ruin BY lend.
ing you fifteen thousand dollars! You
never would have had the money, William,
if I had consulted my owp feslings--it
was through your sisters influence that
you got it, Now l want you to keep that
half dollar as memorial of your gener-
o,ity to me and ny family-of your kind.
ness toward the widow and orphan-of
your love for an only sister, whom keen
starvation was staring in the face-of her
orphan children, who wondered why God
did not make Uncle William good man,
50 be could 90 to Heaven, where their
father had gone; and ask yOurselfif that
half dollar will carry you there I have
seen hundred dollars affixed to your
name for the foreign missionary society,
and another hundred for the Bible society;
but remember, William, that what the pa
pers say of your benevolenos will not save
you, neither will your standing in the
church. God looks at the heart. The
half dollar shows how much christianity
there is there--keep it as long you live
and ask yourself; every time you see it
if half a dollars worth of religion vii
carry you to Heaven" ~.t
That is enough" said the merchant
as his face crimsoned with shame. g
cannot bear any more. Annie has, il
reality, overcome evil with good, and from
this time l will promise -"
You cannot atone for the past, vii
liam your sisters .ufferings and tina
half dollar will ever stand as a mar
against you, You can only cultivate
christian spirit in future Go to Ne,
York city and see Aunt Betsey, you
mothers sister. When was looking 70
Annie, found her in an attic, thinly clad
and by her pale, care-worn face I shoul
Judge, rather scant ly supplied with focd
Go to her and provo your penitence b
giuing her comfortable home, and sur
porting her the re of her life. 1t is tn
only possible atonement you can make" F"
." l will promise to do it," replied tb
, merchant, If yon and Annie will forgiv
and forget the past" i-'af
Annie will, I have no doubt, she
20 kind and forgiving; but tell yo'
r William, it is a hard thing for me to 4
8 it. I could forget an unkindness towarf
myself. but to think that my wife ar
children were starving, and you turned
cold shoulder upon them It's a goC
deal to ask a husband to forget that
, however, III try, if youth do your du'
!. towards Aunt Betsey." r,l
The merchant did as he promised, ar
in few weeks after, Aunt Betsey VI
occupying comfortable rooms in respsc
:. able street In Boston. ipI ,.h
!; She was pious old lady, who had
years supported herself with the need
d and when her nephew told her be wop
provide for her the remainder Of her dal