The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-05-20
RAvENNA, O., WEDNEs DAY, MAY 20, 1868

Mr.. Carlton motioned him to chair, and he
seated himself on the edge, fearful lest he
should soil the crimson velvet cushion.
"Have you business with me, Sir?'' said
the gentleman, in an impatient tone.
Yes, Sir" said William, producing the
pocket-book, and handing it to him. 81
found this yesterday, and, as it bears your
name, 1 have brought it to you.' I'D
"Ahi then you have found my pocket
book. I am glad to see it again-which l
never expected to do" He carefully exam
ined it. "All right he said, "and Pm obIg-
ed to you for returning it. for it contains some
valuable papers, and carelessly placed it in
his pocket.
William had no more to say. He arose,
and with no further evidence of gratitude or
obligation, he was suffered to depart.
% | am sorry that you did not give that poor
man something, father" said fair girl, as she
seated herself on an ottoman at his feet
f" Did you notice how pale he looked, and how
he almost staggered as he rose to go away?''
did he? 10, did not notice it. l would,
have given him a fifty dollar bill if l had
thought of it. But he is gone9ow."
" But, father, you might send it to him.
You know him, do you not? l fear that he
is very poor" .t.
es. l had some dealings with him years
ago When l built the Charlotte he had
something to do with supplying the timber,
and now | do remember that | heard he had
lost his farm"
How far did he come this cold morning
to bring you that pocket book?''
He lives in B: he must have come
fifteen or twenty miles. I ought indeed to
have paid him we'll for it, and l Will not fail
to do so yet.''
Here the dinner bell interrupted the con-
versation, and the father and daughter pro-
ceeded to the dning-room.
Mr.. Carlton was not a selfish or cold-heart-
ed man, but he was not observant of the
wants and woes of Others, ard his good deeds
must have been few, but for the gentle prompt
ngs of his daughter Mary. She, good girl,
had quick eye as weIlss warm heart
Misery never passed her unnoticed, and many
were the blessings which fell on her young
head--many were the generous deeds per-
formed by her father of which he would
never have thought but for her suggestions.
But when the rich man was enjoying his
plentiful repast, William Carter, with a sink
ing heart and weary Frame turned his steps
towards home. He had not tasted food since
early dawn, and now full fifteen miles lay be-
fore him. He felt disappointed, indignant,
sriav cd at the cold and Indifferent manner i'll
WHICH his services had been received. He did
not ask a reward tor restoring what was not
his own, but he might with justice have de-
manded recompense for his time and trouble.
But even that was not offered him. He re-
membered the wastefulness of wealth, the
extravaganza of luxury which he had witness
ed and something whispered, " You were a
fool. That man scarcely thanks you for re-
turning what he would have never missed
1t would have made you happy for months
and years''
Resoluely putting down the evil thoughts,
he raised a silent prayer for help and resigna-
ton, and pressed on his way. He grew weak
er and fainter every step, and little more than
half the distance was gained, when he sat
down by the way utterly exhausted. He
covered his face with his hands and wept, and
but for the thought Of his wife and children
at home, would have crept aside, and laid
down upon the snow to die. Fortunately a
man came along with a sleigh, and he rose
aud asked for ride. The stranger took him
and brought him within mile of his own
door,
It was late when he reached home. and he
had scarcely strength to cross the threshold,
and throw himself upon his bed HIS over
taxed physical system had given way, and be-
a violent fever. Then did the poor woman
feel, " that the hand OF the Lord was heavy
upon her,'' but her faith failed not. AS earth
ly hope faded away, brighter and brighter
grew the hope of eternity; and as she watch
ed day after day by the suffering couch, bath
ing his burning brow and soothing his wild
frenzy with her loving voice, sheiwas able to
say, g though He slay me yet'will l trust in
Him." Oh, blessed, sustaining power of faith
and hope faith, not in man. but God
hope not of earth, hut Heaven. Cling to thy
faith, poor woman Make thy heart strong
in confidence, for God will not forsake thee
Even now He is preparing thy reward. He
willnot break the bruised reed, nor crush the
| tumble heart
! Did the rich man rest sweetly, as he lay
down on his downy pillow? Were there no
remorseless thoughts when he remembered
! the careless acts of injustice of which he had
been guilty? Like Ahasuerus, he could moi
| sleep, for God troubled HIM, and he resolved
to make ample recompense for the wrong he
had DONE He concluded at first to send him
letter, and handsome present, but the
thought did not satisfy him, and he resolved
/ to go himself, and see what he could do fo
| his poor friend, that would most benefit him
and quiet his own conscience.
1t was the fifth day of William Carter.
sickness, and the physician said that nigh
would be the crisis; if he lived through it ht
might recover He had then fallen into {
lcthargic sleep. His pale wife sat holding hi:
hand and gazing anxiously on his sunken fea
lures and half shut eyes. The children witt
sad faces, and noiseless STEP crept round the
room. There was rap at the door-lt wa
opened, and a gentleman entered. Mrs. Car
ter looked with surprise on her unexpected
visitor. His dress and bearing, so differen
from those of their humble neighbors, at an.
other time might have awed her, but that wa
no place to feel the paltry distinctions of hu
man society In the presence of that power
before which the rich and the poor, the might.
and the weak, alike bow, men. feel that they
are equals-that they are brothers. She aros
and offered him a chair. He did not seem t.
notice her, but advancing to the bed, he gazet
long and earnestly on the ashy features OF th
sufferer, while tie tears chased one anothe
down his cheeks; then turning away, he threw
himself into chair and wept with uncontrol
led emotion. This, as the reader may hav'
guessed was Mr.: Carlton. He came into tn
neiohborhood, and inquired for William Car
ter and had been told of his sickness and it
probable cause. The good woman where h
stopped had warm heart and volubl
tongue, and little suspecting who her audito
was,she had given full scope to her eloquence
in denouncing the man who suffered her poo
neighbor to walk fifteen miles, and to retur
without even dinner.
Mrs. Carter stood gazing in silent astonish
ment on her visitor, when he arose, and plac
ing a heavy purse in her hand, said, Il" TAX
this, and let no expense be spared for you
husbands recovery. l will call again." an
before she had time to express her gratitud
or surprise, he was gone.