Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-05-18
Margaret's Test, Or Charity its own
Reward.

eff ever l marry" said Margaret
Bailey to her cousin Olivia, "it will be
man who does not live entirely for
himself, but who, out of the benevo-
lence of a charitable heart, will not
pass unhceded the cry Of the widow
and orphan who call on him for relief"
''1ou speak warmly, Margaret.
"Because feel it. / have always
thought that 4 charitable man would
make a good husband"
''But how will you be able to judge
Of this You are an heiress, and of
course have many suitors. Do you
not believe that any one of them would
be willing to don a charitable mood
for while, if they supposed that upon
this issue depended the hand Of the
wealthy heiress?
"Perhaps you are right said Mar
garet, thoughtfully; s'but," added she
suddenly, can idea has just come into
my head, by which I think this embar-
rasSmcnt can be avoided"
"What is that % asked Olivia, curl
ously.
| ''Let me confess, in the first place,
that among all who are generally con-
sidercd suitors for my hand, perhaps
fortune would be q more appropriate
word, there are none whom | would
think Of as a husband except Herbert
Lee and Henry Ainsworth. The for
mer, you know, is wealthy; the latter
a clerk, dependent on his income,
which should judge is not large
Now, have a mind to subject these
two to q test.'
'SA good idea; but how will you
manage it %
"Y OH know there is a poor family in
Allen street.-the one Of whom we
heard to-day, consisting OF widowed
mother, who is sick, and three young
children. Now | am going, anony-
mously of course, to recommend them
to the charitable offices of both Her
bert Lee and Henry Ainsworth, and
we will see the result. They will not
recognize your hand writing; therefore
I want you to take pen and paper and
write note at my dictation."
Oliyia procured writing materials,
and her cousin dictated as follows:
'DEAR STR Though a stranger to
you, I take the liberty Of calling your
attention to the case Of a poor family
now living in single room in Allen
street, who, in consequence of the i'll
ness Of the mother, who has hitherto
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 statement of the
truth. CHARITY
The note was copied, and despatch
ed through the post Office to the ad-
dress of both gentlemen.
Perhaps three days afterwards Her
bert Lee called sat Margaret's resi-
dence Margaret adroitly led the con-
versation to objects of charity and
charitable institutions.
"Ah," said Lee, "that reminds me
Of an odd circumstance. [ received a
letter the other day, recommending to
my notice poor family in Allen street.
1t was signed by Charity, and very
earnestly advised me to go and see
them"
"And did you go? ?" asked Margaret
quickly.
"Not I - was the laughing reply
81 haven't time to waste in hunting up
all the destitute families in the CITY,
[ should have my hands full.'
''But the family may be suffering
from want
eff they arc, Charity would be in
better business i'll relieving them him.
self than in sending anonymous letters
of advice to Others
Would Herbert Lee have laughed
so merrily if he had known the effect
of his want of feeling on her whom he
was most anxious to please?
'sI think, after all - said Margaret,
when Herbert had withdrawn, "that !
must 90 and see Mrs. Green myself
If Henry Ainsworth is no more Chart
able than Herbert, she will fare hard y
The ladies arrayed themselves for a
walk. A few minutes brought them to
the residence of the poor widow of
whom they were in search.
TO their surprise, they found on be-
ing admitted, that cheerful fire was
glowing in the stove, while pleasant
smell Of dinner filled the partment.-
On table by the side of the window
were some medicines The hearth
was brushed up, and the room, though
scaEtily furnished, presented neat
and comfortable appearance.
Margaret looked around in surprise
Il was led to believe" said she.
"that you were IN great want"