The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-15

ry, are not prosperous. Heavy losses
instead Of fair profits, are the result Of
years tireless efforts and you find your
self near the bottom Of the wheel Will
I am sweeping upwards. AS | think Q
this, and Of my unfeeling conduct toward
you in your misforunes, l am motide'
as well as pained. There is an elemen
in my character which ought not to b
there. ! am self-conyicted Of cructy.-
Accept, my dear sir, in the enclosed re
ceipt the best reparation in my power t.
make. In giving mp this claim, ! do mo-
abandon an item that goes to complete
the sum of my happiness. Not single
comfort will be abridged. 1t will no,
shrink the dimensions Of my house, nor
withdraw from myself or family any por'
ton Of food Or raiment- Accept, then,
the New Yesrs gift | offer, and believe
that have a purer delight in giving than
You in receiving. Ny best wishes are
with you for the future, and If anything
l can aid You in your arrangements with
creditors, do not fail to command my
service. r-r ..-f--'
Most truly yours, HIRAM EDGAR.
For the space Of nearly five minutes,
Mr.. James sat very still, the letter Of Mr..
Edgar open before him. Then he folded
it up, with the receipt inside, and placed
it in his pocket; then he put away the
inventories he had been examining, and
tore up several pieces Of paper, on which
were sundry calculations; and then he
put on his warm overcoat and button it
to the chin.
"Edward," said Mr.. James, as he walk
cd down the store, ~ shall not return this
afternoon. 1t is New Years day, aud
You can close up at 2 o'clock"
1t cost Mr.. Edgar struggle to write
that receipt in full. A thousand dollars
was large sum Of money 10 give away
by single stroke Of the pen. Love Of
gain and selfshncss, pleaded strongly for
the last farthing: but the better reason
and better feelings Of the man prevailed,
and the good deed was done. How light
his heart fclt-how suddenly the clouds
We're lifted from his sky, and the strange
pressure fromhis feelings! 1t was to him
new experience.
On the evening that closed the day
the first evening Of the new ycar-Mr
Edgar sat with his wife and children in
his elegant home, happier by far than ht
was in The morning, and almost wonder
ing 10, t... change in his state OF mind
Little Ellen was in his arms, and rs he
looked upon her cherub face, he thought
of face as beautiful, seen by MIN in tho
morning, at the window Of his unfortun
atc debtor. The face of an angel 1t hat
proved to him, for it prompted the gooC
deed from which had sprung double
blessing. While he sat thus, he hcart
the door-bell ring. In few momenti
the waiter handed in letter. He brok,
the seal and read:
My Dear Sir: This morning my
dear little Aggy, the light Of our home
greeted me with joyous "Happy New
Year, took her in my arms and kissec
her, keeping my place close to hers, tina
she might not sec the sadness of mime
All, sir! The day broke in gloom. Th'
words Of my child found no echo in IN!
heart. could have wept over her, if the
strength Of manhood had not risen abov'
the weakness of nature. But all is chang
ed now. A few minutes ago the "llapp.
New Year" was flowing to me from th'
sweet lips of my child, and the word
went thrilling in gladness to my heart
May the day close as happily for You AM
yours, as it is closing for me and mine.
God bless you! ABRAM JAMES.
Mr.. Edgar read this letter twice, AM
then handed it, without word, to al
wife. ,..
"What is the meaning Of this! l d
not understand it, Hiram Ms. Edga
looked wonderingly into her husband
face. ......... .... r.
The story, to which she listened eagerl
was briefly told. When he had finished
she arose and with tears Of love and sym
pathyin her eyes, crossed over to wher
he was sitting, and drawing her arm
around his neck, said:
"My good, my generous husband!
feel very proud OF you this night. Tha
was noble deed; and thank you for
in the name Of our common humanity.
Never had words from the lips Of hi
wife sounded so pleasantly in the ears o
Mr.. Edgar. Never had he known 8
happy New Years Day as the one wlicl
had just closed; and, though it saw hin
poorer than he believed himself in til
morning. by nearly thousand dollars, h
was richer in fecling-richer in tn
hearts unwasting possessions-than b
had ever bcenin his life.
sTur GpIyrvIpn or Goyrpsopaw- n