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

that she wondered why Absalom Barr
called. But she saw an angel in Kate's
mild blue eyes.
Absalom and the widow were play.
m ates once, and the ice was soon broken
Gradually the uncle and niece drew forth
j the story of the woman's sufferiDgs, and
then the old man took out bis pocket
book, and took therefrom fifteen dollars
Here be said, as he handed it to the
widow, this may serve to Tighten your
burden some. am able while you are
i needy. Take it, and remember that you
may look to me again when need comes
upon you.' --.- ...
( Mechanically the woman took the mon.
/ ey, and having gazed first upon the char
med notes and then upon the donor, she
bowed her head aud thanked God for the
!. blessing And then, while the tears gusb-
ed forth, she caught the old man by the
hand and poured forth her thanks.
| When Absalom Burr sat down to bis
supper that night, that shade upon his
face was as soft. as the radience of the
setting sun. His food was eaten with
keen relish, and be could now return
Kate's smile. And or that, night too, his
drea us were more pleasant than ever.
Some time during the next day, Kate
came up from the cellar and asked her
uncle what that dark vault was for.
How did you 6ud it, cried be in quick
alarm.
The door was partly OPEN
1 did forget to lock it. | remember
now
But what is it, uncle 2
| The old man finally confessed to Kate
that he had over twenty thousand dollars
slowed away there.
why unole, is it possible? And yoa
let it lie there in the dark without use.
Buff the assessors knew it, they would
make me pay taxes upon it,
| Kate was atou. to give utterance to a
very indignant response, but she held it
back and wert and sat down by the old
mans side.
Now look here, uncle Absalom, how
much would you be taxed for that mon
ey.'
Over one hundred dollars a year.
Just think of it 2
Yes, and think of this: Here is the
railroad company just advertising for a
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 FIVE thousand more lying idle
somewhere !?
! Perhaps SO, said the old man, thought
fully.
Then look at it. Thus you would not
only be helping the community, aud as
sist;og great public good, but you would
at the same time be realizing twelve hun
dred and fifty dollars year where you
do not now get a 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 let as soon
as finished, and at fair rents. Think how
you will thus be benefting the com mmuni-
ty and at the same time be rendering your
self more able to bcstow in charity in
such sums as your own ooijud gmeutuay
dictate. And then again, resumed Kate. as
she noticed the doubling look on her unc les
| face 'how 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 the 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 off for P, and having
found the proper ofic rs, be toldhem he
could accom- a, odate them with the desired
loan. They were much pleased and in
short time they had the money IN gold
and current bills, and Absalom had the
notes and good security. He went home
With better opinion of his fellow men
and of himself than be had ever before had
for he had been thanked BY noble men
for his kindness, and his opinion had
been asked on various important matters,
and be had partly promised, too, that if
the new road wanted more help, be would
give it. 4
Six months passed away, and the trou-
] blesome niece still lived with her un"e'
They also occupied the same house into
which Kate had first come. On the
morning of the day which saw 'he sixth
mouth from the time of gi"ng the ten
dollars TO Martha Alien rAss away, Nate
came into, the room wbefe her uncle sat,
and in her hand 81, held ten dollar
note.
Uncle Absabm,' she said. do you re-
member what told you when you gave
tb.t7,en dellars to Martha Allenf The
six mop,as are up, and | have come to
redoon my promise. Here is the money.
.Ibank you SAID the old men, as he
.ook the bill and put it in his pocket.-
I L am glad you are 50 punciual' That
was ali he said, and then be took his
! hat and went out. Kate was puzzled,
but not astonished, for she noticed twin
king in the old mans eye which meant
more than the ten dollars amount to.
/, It was near tho middle ofthe afternoon
when uncle Absalom returned, and un-
der his sru he carried small box which