The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-12-24

been in the habit of selling newspapers,
and upon this, more than upon the
small amount which bis mother made
by sewing, they had managed, to. live.
| But fortnight before Charley Mer.
Ger had been taken sick the sickness
no doubt being induced by exposure
in stormy weather. In consequence
of his misfortunes she was now two
dollars short of the amount required to
meet her quarters rent. Knowing as
she did Peters reputation, she pre-
pared to meet him with trepidation.o
ale is q hard man, ] fear the worst y
she SAID. Isool oa sIsg sIsdi ,uosas1
"But God can change even his
heart, mother" said her son. ,gsla 10
Heaven grant it." she replied, fer
vently. siaais
l. At this moment there was a knock
at the door. 1t was the dreaded visitor.
81 suppose you have come for the
rent" said Mrs. Mercer. 4 nj AL ,sa
II believe this is quarter day." said
Reter'sl2 saJ 10 s1ooHs0 on asss sTEa .
81 am sorry that / have not got the
whole of the money ready for you, but
my boy has been sick for a week past,
and that has diminished our earnings,' -
said the widow, nervously. m15l ipo
| "How much have you ready ?'' asked
Peter. iloq o. s8la29isb ~ sHoil99ia
81 have it within two, dollars" said
Mrs. Mercer.tom lasb boog s 5g8sE9
"Can't take it," said Peter decidedly.
'But," said Mrs. Mercer. misundsr-
standing him, 81 will pay you the other
two dollars just as soon as / can getit,' p
"What does your boy do "'issla9dJ
Mrs. Mercer understood this question
to be asked with an idea of enabling
the landlord to judge whether there
was likelihood of her son being able
to earn the money required to make up
'"o uen'ien0''a ss.ijIoI aa2 ,ss1a
"He sells papers" I'll, "a, ,s.r,.f,..s
"Does he like the business" t...-
Mrs. Mercer began to be surprised.
She did not understand Peters mo-
tives is asking that question. r. efT
"Not very well, but poor people have
to do as they can" ss,,.is V,3Ai3
"Mrs. Mercer" said Peter, abruptly,
"you perhaps think me a miser-and
so have been but / see the folly of
it; l am going to change my mode of
life entirely. ] shall furnish comforta-
BILE house, and shall need some one to
take care of it; will you be my house
keeper at salary of three hundred q
year ?" ..--
Sand Charley-"said the sstonished
woman.
"He shall live with us, / will take
charge of his education"
"Heaven bless you!' exclaimed Mrs.
Mercer, seizing his hand and believing
it with tears of JOY. .'You have made
me very happy" .t.t
"Havs l." asked Peter in joyful sur
prise. ''- "',o
"Very happy" sa'''l's'',''sn' 'f'"
"Then I may be of some use in the
world. Keep your money, Mrs. Mer-
GER; / don't want it. Tell your boy to
get well and by next week 1 shall have
a home for you to come to-" 7'ifs1
Peter passed on to the next room.
This was occupied by young girl and
her mother. They had both sat up all
night to get the last of the rent; which
they knew would be demanded in the
morning. They looked very pale and
care worn. .n77l ',hG'7 ~ sH2a2@ a'as
"You do not look very well," said
Peter. "Doyou work very hard s'
"We have to" said the mother, sur
prised at Peters changed manner, "for
we are paid very little for our work.
Here is the rent" D5i3s'' E''f.N4it
''It is New Years Day." said Peter
"and shan't take it. You may con-
slider it New Years present"
"You are very kind" said both, with
grateful surprise.
"And I have concluded to reduce
the rent one-third from henceforth."
'Do you make shirts? he inquired
cutting short their grateful protesta-
tions.
eyes"
"Then you shall make me dozen.
Here is some money to buy some mate
rials. How much do you have for
making them ?"
"Ws are paid thirty cents at the
shops" Ho2 s1i - "as a
"Then / will pay you double and in
advance" ,~l9lao4iai ai.si-iaes1 9ai
Peter left the two happy hearts be.