Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-04-29
The Lent HalEDollar.

When Charles Gleason was about ten
years old, a bright half dollar was given
linn by his grandfather, to buy anything
he pleased for his New Years present.
The boys mother had that morning
taught him the verse, He that hath pity
on the poor lendeth to the Lord, and that
which he hath gwen will he pay him
again" The words were running in the
boys mind on his way to the store to pur-
chase a toy which he had seen i'll the win
dow of the shop the previous day.
Just before Charlie reached the store
he met a poor woman, who had some
times washed for his mother, and she
seemed to be in great distress. what IS
the matter Hannah?" said the kind
hearted child.
"Oh, Master Charlie. I've got to be
turned into the street this morning, and
my little Bill so sick, too"
Turned into the street, you and Bill
what for?"
Because l can't raise my weekly rent.
I've Just been to see my landlord and he
saws It's three days over due, and he'll
not wait another hour. There go the
men now TO put my bed and stove and
few thing on the sidewalk. Oh, what
will do?"
How much is your rent, Hannah?" ask
ed the boy with choking voice.
'.Its half dollar, said the woman
It'll kill Bill to be put out in this cold /;
and sure l will die with him."
No you won't; no you shan't," said
the tender-hearted child, and feeling in
his pocket he brought forth his treasured
half-dollar. and placed it quickly in her
hand. Seeing she hesitated to keep it,
Notwithstanding her great need: Charlie
told her it was all his own, to spend as he
pleased, and that he would rather give it
to her than have the incest toy in the
store. Then walking away swiftly from
the shop-windows, which were all full of
tempting New Years presents, he went
bravely home to his mother sure of her
appreciation.
The first person he met was his grand
father. He had observed Charlie godown
the street, and he waited for his return
that he might see what he had bought
So his first salutatiOn was:
"Well, child, what have you done with
your money ?" Now Charities grandtath-
er was not religious man, and the boy
knew, that though he sometimes gave mon
ey to his relations, he seldom or never be-
slowed it upon the poor, so he rather dis
liked TO tell him what he had done with
his money but while he hesitated, the
verse he had that morning learned, came
into his mind and helped him to answer.
Looking pleasantly into his grandfather's
face he said:
"I've lent it, sir"
Lent your half-dollar, foolish boy ??
/ l-yOtv -
"Oh, yes, | shall, grandpa, for ] got a
promise to pay"
''You mean note, s'pose but 1t isn't
worth a cent"
'.Oh, yes, grandpa, it is perfectly good.
Pm sure about it for it is in the bible"
You mean you've put it there for sale
keeping, 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 he
hath given will he pay him again"
so you gave your money to some poor
scamp. Well, you'll rever get it again.
Who's got it, pray ?"
Il gave it to Hannah Green, Sir" and
Charlie told him the sad story.
"Oh. fudgew said his grandfather, you
can't pay poor folks rent; it's all non
sense. And now you've lost your New
Years present, or will, if l don't make
it UP for you. Here" he added, as threw
him another half-dollar, seeing your
moneys gone where you will never get 1t
again | must give you some more,
s'pose."
"Oh, thank you," said Charlie, heartily,
81 knew the Lord would pay me again.
grandpa, because the bible says so but l
didn't expect to get it so quick"
THAT boys to much for me-" said the
old gentleman, and he walked quickly
away. .....