Litchfield enquirer., 1861-03-07
THE LAST UalIE-rlLLAR

 | When Charles Gleason was about ten years old, bright half-dolar was given him by his grandfather, to buy anything he pleased for his 1 New Years present. The boys mother had that morning taught hin the verse. Ho that i hath pity on the poor lenjleth to the Lord, anG that he hath given will he pay him again. The words were running iii the boys mind OR his way to the store to purchase toy which lie lsG seen in the window of the shop on tie previous 1 day.
 l Just before Charlie reached the store, he met q poor woman who had sometimes washed fol his mother and she seemed to be in great dis 1 tress W hat is the n tier, Hannah ? said the kind hearted child.
 Oh, Master Charlie, I've got to be turned in to the street this cold morning, and my Iittl. Bill so sick, too
 Turned into the street. you and Bill what for?'
 Because 1 can't raise my weekly rent. I've inst been to gee my landlord and he says it's three days over due and he'll not wait another hoGr There go the men now to put Thy bed and stove and few things on the sidewalk. Oh what will do?
 How much is your rent, Hannah ? asked tie boy with choking voice. 1 It's half dollar said the woman. It will kill Bill to put him out in this cold and sure will die with him.
 | No you wont; no you shant.' said the ten der-hearted child and feeling in his pocket, he brought forth his treasured half-dollar, and pla- ced it quickly in her hands. Seeing she hesita- ted to keep it, notwithstanding her great need Charlie told her it was all his own, to spend as he pleased, and that he had rather give it to her than have the incest toy in the store. Then walking away swiftly from the shop windows I1phia all of presents, he went brayely home to his mother sure of her appreciation. The first person he met was his grandfather He had observed Charlie go down the street and was waiting fer his return, that be might | see what he had bought. So his first salutation was, We'll, child, what have you done with your money? Now Charities grandfather was not religious man; and the boy knew, that though he sometimes gave money to his rela tons, he seldom or never bestowed 1t upon the poor, so he rather. disliked to tell him what he had done with his money but, while he hesita ted, the verse which he had that morning learn. ed, came into his mind and helped him to an answer. Looking pleasantly into his grand fathers face, he said, I've lent it, sir Lent your half-dollar, foolish boy? You'll never get it again, know
 'Oh yes shall, grandpa, for I've got prom ise to pay
 You mean note, I 'spose; but it isn't worth cent
 Oh, yes grandpa, it's perfectly good. I'm sure about it, for it's in ths Bible You mean you've put it there for safe keep eh? Let me see it. Charlie brought the book and showed him the verse He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord, and that which hath given will he pay him again.
 So you gave your money to some poor scamp We'll, you'll never see it again I gave it to Hannah Green. sir ; and Charlie told him the sad story. Oh, fudge! said his grandfather. you cant pay poor folks rent; it's all nonsense. And now you've lost your New Years present, or will, if don't make it up to you. Here, he added, as he threw him another half-dollar See ing your moneys gone where you never will get 1 it again, must give you some more, 'spose.' Oh, thank you, said Charlie, heartily. T knew the Lord would pay me again, grandpa because the Bible says so; but didn't expect to get it so quick
 ] That boys too much for me, said the old | gentleman: and he walked quietly away,