Smyrna times., 1860-01-19
MIS- SCELLAN EOUS.
THE TEST OF LOVE.

"If ever marry" said Margaret Baiy to
her cousin Olivia, " it will be a man who does
not live entirely for himself, but who, out of
the benevoence Of charitable heart, wall not
pass unheedee the cry of the wdowd an orphan
who call on him for relief"
You speak warmly, Margaret"
Because feel it. have always thought
that Charitable man would make good hus-
band"
But how will you be able to judge of this {!
You are an heress, and Of course have many
suitors Do you not believe that any OF them
would be willing to don charitable mood for
while, if they suppose that upon this issue de-
pended the hand OF the wealthy heiress :"
"Perhaps you are right" said Margaret,
thoughtiully but she added suddenly, "An
idea has just come into my head, by which |
think this embarrassment can be avoided"
What is it 9" asked Olivia, curlousy.
"Let ME confess, in the first place, that
among all who ure generally considered sutors
for my hand-perhap fortune would be the bet-
ter word-there il none whom | would think of
as a husband except Herbert Lee and Henry
Answorth. The former. you know, Is wealthy,
the latter a clerk, dependent on his income.
which | should Judge was not large. Now, |
have a mind to subject these two to a test"
"a good idea but how will you manage !"
asked Olivia.
You know that there is poor family on AL
len street, the one of whom we heard to-day,
consisting of a mother, who is sick, and three
Young children. Now | am going-anony.
mously, of course-to recommend this family TO
the charitable offices of both Herbert Lee and
Henry Ainsworih, and we will see the result.
They will not recognize your handwriting ;
therefore, want you to take pen and paper
and write q note at my dIctation."
Olivia procured the writing materials, and
her cousin dictated as follows:
"Dear Sir-Though stranger to you, take
the liberty of calling your attention to the cause
of my poor family now living in single room
IN Allen street, who in consequence OF the III
ness of the mother, who has supported them by
plain sewing, are reduced to extreme want
little aid at this time would be to them like the
visit of kn angel from heaven. Will you ex'
tend it! At least call upon them, and you will
be convinced that this is but a simple, plain
statement of the truth. CHARITY.
The note was copied and despatched through
the post.office TO the address of both gentlemen
Perhaps three days afterward, Herbert Lee
called at MargSreI's residence. Margaret ad
roity led the conversation to the subject o.
charity and charitable institutions.
"Ah," said Herbert Lee, " that reminds INT
of an odd circumstance. Ireceived letter The
other day, recommending to my notice pool
family in Allen street. 1t was signed Charity,
and advised me to go and see them"
"And did you go!" asked Margaret, quick
ly.
NO." was the laughing reply. al haven
time TO waste in hunting up all the destitute
families in the city. | should have my hand
full.
" But the family may be suffering iron
want"
"If they are Charity would be in better bust
ness in relieving them himself than IN sendn
anonymous letters of advice to Others"
Would Herbert Lee have laughed SO merrill
if he had known the effect of his want OF teeln
on her whom he was most anxious to please
al think, after ALL" said Margaret, whe
Herbert had Withdrawn, :" that | must go an
see Mrs. Green myself. II Henry Ainswort
is no more charitable than Herbert Lee sh
will fare very hard"
! The ladies' arrayed themselves for walk
= A few minutes brought them 10 the residence
:. the widow of whom they were in search.
;. To their surprise they found, on being az
mitted, that cheerful fire was glowing in II
stove, while pleasant smell of dinner filled Il
:, apartment. On the table by the side OF u
: window was some medicine. The hearth WI
y brushed up, and the room. though scantily fu
: nished, presented neat and very comtortab
:. appearance.
Margaret looked around in surprise.
= al was led to believe" said she, 4" that "
J, were in great want"
y $50 we were," said Mrs. Green "b
= thanks to the generosity Of noble young go
,leman, who stepped forward to our rellef'
are no longer so." aa