Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-07-28
Misttllau&0ns
Moro Blessed to Give than to Receive.

A poor widow and her daughter are toll
ing bard, early and late, amid self-danial
and priyasioD, to pay off debts incurred by
sbe husband and father. The daughter,
with twenty dollars in her purse, goes to the
house Of a rich creditor, in Orderio tender
him the sum in part payment, when 5his
scene trsnspircs =
"Softly her feet sunk in the luxurious
hallearpet. Statuary in bronze and mar
bic lined all the way to the stair-case.-
The splendor of the room into which she
was ushereG, seemed to her inexperienced
sight too beautiful for actual use, and he
who came in with his kindly glance and
handsome face, the noblcst perfection OF
manhood she had ever seen.
"'Well, young lady, he said, biandly
smiling, ito what am I indebted for this
pleasure
"sMy father, sir, died in your debt
said Eva, blushingly, speaking very low
and softly. BY the ~strictest economy and
very hard work, we, my mother and l.
have been able to pay all his creditors but
Yourself. If you will be kind enough to
receive the balance of your account III
small sums-I am sorry they must be 60
small. sir-we can in the course of a very
few years fully liquidate the debt, and
then'-a sweet expression lighted up Der
blue cyes-'we shall have fulfilled my
fathers dying wish, that every stain might
he w;ped from his honor She paused a
moment and said agaiu, falteriDgly, My
father was very unfortunate, sir, and bro
ken in health for many years; but OBJ, sir,
he was honorable; he would have paid the
last cent if it had left him a beggar.'
avery thoughtful sat Mr.. Miner, his dark
eyes fastened upon the gentle face before
him. After a moment Of silence he raising
his head, threw back the mass of curled
hair that Swallowed his handsome brow,
and said
remember your father well. re-
GREETED his death. He was a fine fellow, a
fine fellow he added, musingly; { but, my
dear young lady, have you the means gsdo
you not embarrass yourself by making
these payments
eva blushed again, and looking up,
ENORMOUSLY replied, " | am obliged to work,
sir, but no labor would be too arduous that
might save the memory of such a father
from Disgrace
"This she spoke with deep emotion.-
The rich man turned with "a choking in
his throat. and tears glitterIng on his
lashes. Eva timidly held out the twogoid
pieces he took them, and, bidding her
stay a moment, hastily left the room.
Almost instantly returning, he handed
her a sealed note, saying, There is the
receipt, young lady, and allow me to add
thai The mother of such a child must be a
hanpy woman. The whole debt, / find, is
nine hundred add seventyfve dollars. You
will see by my note, what arrangements l
' have made, and 1 hope they will be satis-
, factory ,
!" Eva left him With lighter heart, and
a burning cheek at his praise. His man
ner was so gentle, SO fatherly, that she felt
he would not impose hard conditions, and
it would be a pleasure to pay one SO kind
and forbearing.
CAT last she was home, and, breathless-
", sitting at her mothers feet, she opened
her letter. Wonde: of wonders-a bank
note enclosed she held it without speak
Jug, or looking at its value. Il.
8 Read it, she said, after a moment
bewilderment, placing the letter in he
motber's hand here are fifty dollars; wha
can it mean
utThis,, said the sick woman, bursting
into tears, is a receipt in full, releasing yo
grom navmeut of your fathers debt. KIM
generous man, Heaven will bless him, Go
will shower mercies upon him.. tro"
grateful heart | call upon the Father
revard him for this act of kindness. Oh
what shall we say, shall we do to than
him 7 -.
Mother said Eva, smiling throue
her tears, L felt as if he were an angel
goodness. Oh, they do wrong, who s.
tbatnu who are wealthy have hard heart
Mother, can it be possible we are SO ricl
I wish he knew how very happy no h
made us. how much we love and reveren
him Whenever we think or speak OF him,
even hear him spoken OF T!
u4Ue has bound two hearts to him
ever murmured hor mother.
mYcs, dear Mr.. Miner little he thong
how many comforts we wanted. Now
need not stint the fire (; We may buy &C
and have one cheerful blaze, please q
And tho tea. and the strip of carpet,
snoar. the ale luxuries for you d.
mother ; AM the time, and a very I
books for myself. / declare I'm SO THAI
full. | feel as if l ought to go right b
and tell him that we shall love him as K
as we live
"That evening the CRATE, heapcd "
u l:Aslo r0om AZ air of n