Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-07-09
"The door was partly open. Z"

"But what fs 10. uncle
Tho old man finally confessed to Kate tina.
he had over twenty thousand dollars slowed
away there.
"Why uncle Is it possibloi And you
let it lie there in the dark, without use
"But if the assessors knew it they'd make
me pay taxes on It."
Kate was about to give utterance to very
indignant response, but she held it back, and
went and sat down by the old mans side.
"Now look here Uncle Absalom how
much would your taxes be for that money =
cover a hundred dollars a year. Just
think of it,"
Eyes. and think of this Here is the rail-
road company Just advertised for loan Of
twenty-five thousand dollars at five per cont.
You can make up the five thousand dollars
and let them have IT, Have you not FIVE
thousand more lying idle somewhere y
perhaps so, said the old man, thought
fully.
"Thon look at It. Thus you would not
only be helping the community, and assisting
great public good. but YOU would at the
same time be realizing twelve hundred and
fifty dollars a year where YOU do not now get
cent And again. When the company
have got through with the money. you can
|
which will let as soon as finished, and at fair
rents. Think how you will thus benefit the
community, and at the same time render
yourself more able to bestow in charity such
sums as your own good judgment shall die
tate And then again. resumed Kate, as the
noticed the doubling look upon her uncle's
face. show much easier YOU would feel to
know that your money was safe, than to be
I oil fhn 60 hat on -
will come in the night and rob YOU"
The last hit touched vulnerable point, and
/ Absalom said he would think of it. And he
did think Of it to some purpose for on the
very next morning he started on 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 a short time they had the money in
gold and current bills and he had the notes
and good security He went home with a
better opinion of his felow-men and himself,
than he ever had before, for he had been
thanked by noble gentlemen for his kindness,
and his opinion had been asked on various
important matters and he had partially prom
ised, too, that if the new road wanted more
help he would give it.. Six months passed
away, and the troublesome niece still lived
with her uncle. They also inhabited the
same little house into which Kate had first
come. On the morning of the day which saw
the six months from the time Of giving the
ten dollars to Martha Allen passed away, Kate
came into the room where her uncle sat, and
in her hand she held ten dollar note.
Uncle Absalom.' she said, "you remem-
Dor what ] told you VIXEN YOU gave that ten
dollars to Martha Allen. The six months are
MP. and have come to redeem my promise.
Here is the money
"Thank you.' said tho old man, as he took
the bill and put it in his pocket. 81 am glad
YOU are so punctual" This was all he said,
and then he took his hat aud went out Kate
was puzzled, but not astonished. for she no
ticod a twinkle in the old mans eye which
meant moro than ten dollars amounted to.
1t was near the middle of the afternoon
when Uncle Absalom returned, and under his
/ arm he carried a small box which he gave to
Kate. saying as he did o.
Here, Kate that is for you--the first
present from Your uncle There was a tear
in his eve and his voice trembled and when
the bright eyed girl kissed him he wept out
right.
She hurried away to her little room and
opened the box. The first thing she saw was
letter directed to herself. and in her uncle 3
hand writing. The next was a neatly en-
bossed ebony casket, within which she found
q gold watch and chain, with small locket
attched, within which was a miniature OF
Uncle Absalom. Below this small
book which she found to be bank book, and
by looking into it she discovered that on that
very day the sum Of ten thousand dollars had
been deposited in her name at six per cent
interest, to be drawn by her in whole or in
part at will. As soon she could see
clearly enough through her tears she opened
her uncle's letter and read as follows:
June 18th Is.
"MY DEAR KATE.-Six months ago my
heart was cold and hard, and closed to every
kindly emotion. distrusted all my fellows,
aud saw no good in humanity. My life-path
was dark and gloomy, and a chill night was
upon my soul. But you came with sunlight
and Joy, and by your sweet music and gentle
persuasions my heart was opened and the
warm light entered, and since then some good
has escaped from that opened heart. And
now to you, who performed the happy work
give the accompanying as slight token OF
my love for you and my appreciation Of youi
many virtues. But you will not leave me
Perhaps at some time you may be called upor
to enter into new and hoier partnership
nut ocB OF you 10 forget not me. lell th'
happy. blessed man who may claim you, you
cannot go without me, for my life would be
but a living death without you.
Your Uncle, ABsALoM BURR
When Kate next met her uncle, her eyes
were red with weeping, and her checks were
wet. She moved to his side, and as she kissed
him, she simply whispered, "God bless you
will never own home where you may moi
60"
When the warm breath Of summer came
the old man moved into a good house, and
ere long afterwards, Kate gave her hand t
an honest, industrious mechanic--a carpente
by trade. Absalom found money, and Kate'
husband found the skill aud new houses wen
up in the thriving village. The old man wa
busy now, and his simple, abstemious life ha'
left him with a noble constitution, he was ac
tive and strong.
And Absalom Burr and his niece were no
the only ones who were blessed by the open
ing of that hardened heart. No--iar from i
Hundreds we're there who basked IN thu
warm sunlight Of the noble charity that flow
ed from the ample source which Kate's gentl'
wand had opened.
TRup pART pARTy--lhe Louisville