Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-29

ance plainly showed that she wondered why
| Absalom Burr called. But she saw IN angel
in Kate's mild blue eyes. s.'ri - "
Absalom and the widow were glaymatei
once, and the ice was soon broken. Gradually y
the uncle and niece drew forth the story Of the
womsn's suferings, and then the old man took
out his pocket-boek, and took therefrom ffteen
i dollars. ss-.e .sf.r o.. r. .s - -5 s., fa y
"Here," he said as he handed it to the wid-
\ ow, "this may serve to tighten your burden
some. am able while you are needy. Take
| 1t and remember that you may look to me
again when needs comes upon you" . es-i
| Mechanically the woman took the money,
| and having gased first upon the charmed notes
and then upon the donor. she bowed her head
and thanked God for the blessing And then,
while tears gushed forth, she caught hold Of
the old mans hand and poured forth her
| thanks. .- ..... .,..-F
| When Absalom Burr sat down to his suppt r
that night that shade upon his face was rs soft
as the radiance Of the setting sun. His food
was eaten with keen relish, and he could now
| return Kate's smile. And on that night too,
his dreams 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 find it p" he cried, in quick
| alarm.
'' The door was partly OPEN"
Il did forget to lock it; / remember now. y
- But what is il, uncle !''
The old man finally confessed to Kate that
he had over twenty thousand dollars slowed
away there.
"Why, uncle. Is it possiblea 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,. f--~ ...s
Kate was about to give utterance to a very
indignant response; but she held it back and
sat down by the old mans side.
Now, look here, Uncle Absalom; how much
would you be taxed for that money!"
"Over hundred dollars year. Just think
of it, .. = - =
"Yes, and think of this: Here is the railroad
company just advertised 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, and assisting
great public good, but you would at the same
time be realizing twelve hundred and fifty
cent. And again. Whom the company have
got through with the money, you can build
houses here in this town. every one Of which
will let soon finished, and at fair rents
Think how you will thus be benefting the
community, and at the same time rendering
yourself more able to bestOw in charity such
sum as your good Judgment may dictate. And
then again, resumed Kate; she noticed the
doubling look upon her uncle's face, - how
much easier you would feel 10 know that your
money is safe than to be worrying all the while
for fear some one will come In tho night and
rob you" ~-- r...-
This last hit touched a vulnerable point. and
Absslom said be would think of it. And he did
think Of it to some purpose, for on the very
N ayt m ha toll off for an1
having found the proper officers, he told them
| that he could accommodate them with the de-
| sired loan. They were much pleased, and in
| a short time they had the money in gold and
| current bills, and Absalom had the notes and
good security. He went homo with better
| opinion of his fellOw-men and of 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 promised, 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 in
| habited the same little house into which Kate
| had first come. On the morning of the day
which saw the sixth month from the time Os
| giving the ten dollars to Martha Allen pass
| away, Kate came into the room where her
uncle sat, and in her hand she held a ten dollar
note.
Uncle Absalom," +" she said '.do you remem-
Der what L told you when you gave that ten
| dollars to Martha Allen? The six months are
| up, and L have come to redeem my promise.
| Here is the money n -E.F
Thank you, said the old man, as he took
| the bill and put it in his pocket 80 am glad
! you are 50 ppnctual' That was all he said
and then he took his hat and went out. Kate
/ was puzzled, but not astonished, for she noticed
q twinkling in the old mans eyes which meant
Il than fan 10ll In
| 1t was near the middle Of the afternoon when
1 Uncle AbsalOm returned, and under his arm he
carried small box which he gave to Kate, say.
ing as he did so:
| Here. Kate, this is for you; the first present
| from your uncle" There was q tear in his
| eye, and his voice trembled; and when the
bright-eyed girl kissed him he wept outright.
| 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's
| handwriting The next was neatly embossed
| ebony casket, within which she found a gold
| watch and chain, with a small lOcket attached
1 within which was n miniature of Uncle Absa-
lOm. Below this was a small book, which she
| found to be bank book. and by looking into
il she discovered that on that very day the sun
| Of three thousand dollars had been deposited il
| her name, at six per cent. interest, to be drawn
by her, in whole or in part, at will. As soor
as she could see clearly enough through hel
tears, she opened her uncle's letter, and read
| a. follows:
| JUNE 18th, Is.
MY DEAR KATE Six months ago my hear
was all cold and hard, and closed to every
kindly emotion. l distrusted all my fellows
and saw no good in humanity. My life-patl
was dark and gloomy, and a chill night wa
upon my soul. But you came to me with sun
light and joy, and by your sweet music ane
gentle persuasions my heart was opened, anc
the warm light Of love entered, and since theI
some good has escaped from that opened heart
And now to you, who performed the happ,
work, / give the accompanying as a slfgh
token Of my love for you and my appreciation
of your many virtues. But you will not leav,
me. Perhaps at some time you may be called
upon to enter = new and holier partnership
but beg of you to forget not me. Tell tn,
happy blessed man who may claim you that yol
cannot 20 without me; for my life would be
living death without you.
Your uncle, ABsALoN Burr"
When Kate mex met her uncle her eyes wer,
|, red with weeping, and her cheeks were wet
, She moved to his side, and as she kissed him
she simply whispered, '.God bless you | viii
never own home where you may not GO
Whom tie warm breath Of summer came, th