Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-05-07
The Lent Half Dollar.

w nen CHARLES Gleason was about ten
years old. bright half dollar was given
him 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 given will pay him again." The
words were running in the boys mind on
his way to the store to purchase toy which
he had seen in the window of the shop on
the previous day.
Just before Charlie reached the store he
met poor woman, who had sometimes
washed for his mother, and she seemed to
be in great distress. "What is the matter
Hannah" said the kinl hearted child
"Oh. Master Charlie, I've got to be
turned into the street this cold morning,
and my little Bill so sick, too"
Turned into the street, you and Bill!
what for?"
because [ can't raise my weekly rent
I've just been to see my landlord, and he
says its three days over due, and he'll not
wait another hour. There go the men
now to pct my bed and stove and few
things on the sidewalk. Oh, what will l
do?''
"How much is your rent, Hannah"
asked the boy with a choking voice.
"It's half dollar. said the woman
It'll kill Bill to be put out in this cold;
and sure viii die with
mo you won't: no you shan't" said
the tender hearted child. and feeling in his
pocket be brought forth his treasured half
dollar. and placed it quickly in her hand
Seeing she hesitated to keep it, notwith
standing 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 win
dow. which were all full of tempting New
Years presents, be went bravely home
to his mother sure of her appreciation.
The first person he met was his grand
father. He had observed Charlie go down
the street, and he was waiting 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 Charles grand
father was not religious man, and the
boy knew, that though he sometimes gave
money to his relations. he seldom or never
bestowed it upon the poor. SO be rather
disliked 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
face. he said:
'1've lent il sir.,'
LENT your half dollar, foolish boy?
You'll never get it again l know
"Oh. yes. shall, Granpa. for / have
got promise to pay"
"You mean a note, / s'pose; but it isn't
worth cent
"Oh. yes, grandpa it is perfectly good.
I'm sure about it for it is in the Bible"
"You mean you've put it there for safe
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 has
given will he pay him again" ra7s-
$50 you gave your money to some poor
scamp Well you'll never get it again.
Who's got it, pray?"
81 gave it to Hannah Green, Sir" and
Charlie told him the sad story.
"Oh, fudgel" said his grandfather.
"you can't pay poor folks rent; it's ell
nonsense. And now you've lost your
New Years present, or will. if don't
make it up for you. Here he added. IS
he threw him another half dollar, seeing
your moneys gone where you will never
get 1t again must give you some more
s'pose" s'n.ii-5ta
"Oh, thank you, said Charlie heartily
Il knew the Lord would pay me again.
granpa, because the bible says so: but
didn't expect to get il SO quick"
That boy is to much for me-" said the
old gentleman, and be walked quickly
away.