The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-04
RAVENNA. oHIo:--WEDNEsDAY. JANUARY 4, 1860.

one of them would be willing TO do cbarita
BILE deed for awhile. if they supposed that up.
on this issue depended the hand of the wealthy
heiressT
Perhaps you are right said Margaret
tnoughtfnlly; but she added suddenly. An
idea has just come into my head, by which
think this embarrassment can be avoided
What is itF asked Olivia, curiously.
Let me confess, in the first place, that
among all who are generally considered suitors
for my hand-perhaps fortune would be the
most appropriate word-there is none whom
would think of as husband except Herbert
Lee and Henry Ainsworth. The former, you
know, is wealthy, the latter clerk. dependent
upon his income, which, I should judge, was
not large. Now, have mind TO subject
these two to test
q A good idea bat how will you manage
itP asked Olivia. - e'-
You know that there is poor family on
Allen street, the one of whosn we heard to
day, consisting of a mother, who is sick. and
three young children. Now am going
anonymously, of course-to recommend this
family to the charitable Offices of both Her
bert Lee and Henry Ainsworth, and we will
see the result They will not recognize your
handwriting; therefore want you to take pen
and paper and write 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 case of poor family now living in a
single room in Allen street, who, in conse-
quence of the illness of the mother, who has
Supported them by plain sewing,are reduced to
extreme want A little aid at this time would
be to them like the visit of an angel from
heaven. Will you extend it! At least, call
upon them, and you will be convinced that
this is but simple plain statement of the
truth CHARITY
The note was copied and dispatched thro'
the postoffice to the address of both gentle
men. Eu +
Perhaps three days afterwards, Herbert Lee
called at Margarets residence; Margaret very
adroitly led the conversation to the subject of
charity and charitable institutions.
'Ah,' said Herbert Lee, that reminds me
of an odd circumstance. received a letter
the other day. recommending to my notice a
poor family in Allen street. It was signed
Charity. and advised me to go and see Them
'And did you go ? asked Margaret, quick
ly. ~
MOP was the laughing reply. Il haven't
time to waste in hunting up all the destitute
families 10 the city. I should have my hands
FULL -. -
But the family may be suffering from
want ea
If they are, Charity would be in better
business in relieving them himself than in
sending anonymous letters of advice to 9th
ers'
Would Herbert Lee have laughed so mer-
riIy if he had known the effect of his want OF
feeling on her whom he was most anxious to
please?
Il think after ALL said Margaret, when Her
bert had withdrawn, that must 60 and see
Mrs. Green myself If Henry Ainsworth is
no more charitable than Herbert, she will
fare very hard
The ladies arrayed themselves for walk
A few minutes brought them to the residence
of the widow of whom they we're in search.
To their surprise they found. on being ad-
mitted that cheerful FIRE was glowing in che
stove, while a pleasant smell of dinner filled
the apartment. On the table by the side OF
tie window was some medicine. The hearth
was brushed up, and the room, though scanti
ly furnished, presented neat and very CON-
Portable appearance.
Margaret looked around in surprise.
Il was led to believe said she, that you
were in great want
SO we were,' said Mrs. Green; but thanks
! to the generosity of noble young gentleman
who stepped forward to our relief-we are no
longer So
Indeed, who was it that thus befriended
your re'e. s''
His name is Ainsworth. He sent for a
doctor for me. and at his own cost purchased
food and Goals. SO that, by the blessing Of
God, hope soon to recover my health, and
then all will 60 right once more
After little more conversation, Margaret
and her cousin withdrew, leaving with Mrs
Green some money for her present necessities.
That evening Herbert Lee offered his hand
to Margaret Baily, and to his surprise, no less
than his discontinue, she refused.
A week afterward Henry Ainsworth made
his appearance. He seemed unusually tho't-
full.
"A penny for your thoughts, said Marga-
ret. gsily.
He looked at her earnestly moment, and
then replied:
Il will indeed tell you the subject of my
thoughts,and ask you to forgive nae afterward
1t isl know,an act of presumption for a poor
clerk to speak of love-o of marriage to a
wealthy heiress, but I cannot keep it secret
any longer. 1 love you. Margaret, with truth
and sincerity. Do you pardon mef
NO. said Margaret, promptly, for you
have said nothing that requires it. And il
you do Indeed think me worthy of taking,
you may have me and welcome
DO hear Alright ? was the delighted re
ply. How have deserved such good for
tune 2
Listen and will tell you. had resolved
never to marry one unless was convinced he
was charitable. Last week you received an
anonymous letter recommending poor family
to your charitable notice. I find that you