Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-01-06

In 1t something Of heavenly innocence
impressed him so deeply that he turned
to gain second look, and, in doing so, hi
eyes saw on the door of the dwelling th,
name of 1Jrahdm James. There was al
instant revulsion CT feeling; and for tht
first time that morning, Mr. Edgar remem
bered one of the causes Of his uncomforta
bic state of mind. Abraham James wa:
au unfortunate debtor, who had failed tt
meet his obligations, among which wer;
two notes of FIVE hundred dollars each
given to Mr.. Edgar. These had beer
placed by the latter in the hands of hi,
lawyer, with direction to sue them out
and obtain the most that could be realized
Only the day before-the las. day Of
the year-he had learned that there were
two judgments that would take precedence
of his, and sweep off share Of the debt.
or's property. The fact had chafed him
considerably, causing him to indulge il
harsh language towards bis debtor. The
language was not just, as his heart knew
But the loss Of bis money fretted him, and
filled him with unkind feelings towards
the individual who had occasiobed the loss
No wonder that Mr. Edgar was unhappy.
He continued on bis way, the angry in
pulse that quickeDed the blood in bis
veins subsided, and, through the mist tha,
obscured his mental vision, lie saw the
brigh; face Of child, the child Of his un.
fortunate debtor. His own precious one
was no lovelier, no Purer; nor had her
lips uttered on that morning in sweeter
tones the words--"A happy New Year,
papaw How the thought thrilled him
With his face bowed, and his eyes upon
the ground, Mr. Eigar walked on. He
could not sweep aside the image Of that
child at the window, nor keep back his
thoughts from entering the dwelling where
her presence might be the only sunbeam
that gave light IN lis loomy chambers.
ga happy New Year, papa.' Mr.. Ed
gar almost started, for the words had SO
distinct an utterauce to bis inward ear,
that they seemed as if spoken in the am-
bient air. In fancy he had seen the trou.
bled debtor, leaving the chamber where
he had passed an almost sleepless night,
and coming with slow steps and sad face
to the family sitting room. There, alone,
with his face bowed in gloomy reverie,
Mr.. Eigar had seen him; and while bis
hear, was enlarged with pity and sympa-
thy, the door opened-light footsteps
moved across the room..a child sprang
into his arms, and glad voice exclaimed,
ga happy New Year, papa
When Mr.. Edgar arrived at his store,
his feelings towards Mr.. james were very
different from what they were on the day
previous. All anger-all resentment
we're gone, and kindness had taken their
place. What if NJ. James did owe him
thousand dollars? What if he should
lose the whole amcut Of his indebtedness ?
Was the condition Of the former so much
better than his own, that be would care to
change places with him ? The very idea
caused shudder to run along his nerves.
"Poor man. he said to himself, pity
ingly. "Wha. a terrible thing to be in
volved in debt-tbus crippled. thus driven
to the wall! 1t would kill me. Men are
very cruel to each other, and | am cruel
with the rest. What are thousand dol
lars to me, or to my well-to-do neighbor,
compared with the ruin of helpless fel-
low man James asked time; in two years,
be was sure, be could recover himself, and
make all good. But, with heartlessness
that causes my cheek to burn as | think
of it, answered, 'The FIRST loss is always
the best loss. l will get what can, and
let the balance CO. The look he gave
me, has troubled my conscience ever since.
No wonder it is not Happy New Year"
Scarcely had Mr.. Edgar passed the
DWELLING Of his unfortunate debtor, when
The latter, who had been walking the floor
of his parlor in troubled state Of mind,
,ame to the window and stood by his
,hild, who was dear to him as child
could be to the heart of father.
"Happy New Year, papa" 1t was the
bird time, since morning dawn, that he
lad received this greeting from the same
weet lips-the third time that ne Kisses
Vere given with the heart.warmth oil child
FOODS unsel6sh love.
Mr.. James tried to give back the greet.
ng, but the words seemed to choke him,
nd failed in the utterance. AS the two
TODD by the window, the wife and mother
anne up, aud, leaning against her hus-
and, looked forth with sad heart. Oh,
% it was not Happy New Years ,
forming to them. Long before the dawn
another year, they must 60 forth from
heir pleasant home; and both their hearts
hrunk back in fear from the dark beyond
NJ. ,