The mountain Democrat., 1863-04-04
.S~$~N
Eyes Open.


evening, said Mrs. Beach, the wife of a
prosperous wholesale dry goods merchant
on Market street, as she busted her man
tie of porcelain and marble OH Monday
morning, that he that wanted to be good
must be on the constant look out for op-
portunities that God does not find our
work, and bring it ready fitted and pre-
pared to our hands; but spreads the world
before US, and we are to walk through it
as Christ and the Apostles did with eyes
open, looking for the sick and suffering,
poor and oppressed.
Now, am certain, continued the lady,
as she replaced marble Diana in the
centre of the mantle, should like to do
some good every day-one feels so much
better when they so to rest at night, and
III just keep my eyes open to-day, and
see if come across any opportunities that
under ordinary circumstances | should let
slip.
Half an hour later Mrs. Beach was in
her nursery with the washer-woman, who
had come for the clothes.
Il wish, Mrs Simms,' said she, as she
heaped the soiled linen into the basket,
that you would get Tommy's aprons done
for Wednesday; we are going out Of town
to remain until Saturday, and shall want
good supply on hand for such careless
little scamp as he.
well, III try, ma am, said the washer
woman; I've got behind hand a good
deal since Sammy got the whooping cough
but now that he is better, must try to
make up for lost time
Has he had the whooping cough? Poor
little fellow. How old is he ? asked the
lady.
lie was three last April, ma'am.'
And Tom is four, muscd the lady.
Look here, Mrs. Simms, won't you just
open the lower drawer Of that bureau, and
take out those four green worSted dresses
in tho cornerP Toms out grown them,
you see, since last winter, but they are
almost as good as new. Now, if you want
them for little Sammy they'll do nicely
without altering, think
want them, Mrs. Beach |! answered the
washer.woman, with tears starting into
her dim eyes, 4 haven't any words to
thank you or tell you what treasure
they'll be. Why, they will keep the little
fellow as warm as toast, all winter
well, will place them on top Of the
Clothes said the lady, smiling to herself
as she thought my eyes have been open
once to-day
Not long afterwards Mrs Beach was on
her way to market, Qor she was u notable
housekecpeY,) when she met boy who
had lived q short time in her family the
year before, to do errands, wait on the
door, &c.
He was q bright, good hearted, merry
faced boy, and had been great favorite
with the family, and Mrs. Beach had been
interested in him; but this morning she
was in quite hurry, and would have
passed the child with cordial but hasty,
How are you, Joseph, my boy Do come
and see US but it struck her that Joseph'S
face did not bear its usual happy express
sion.
She paused as the memory of last
nights sermon flashed through, and she
asked, is anything the matter with you,
Joseph? You do not look as happy as
you used to-
The boy looked up a moment, with q
half doubling, half confiding expression,
into the lady's face; and the latter tri-
umphed.
Mr.. Anderson's moved out Of town, he
said, pushing back his worn but neatly
brushed cap, from his hair; so I've lost
my place, and little Mary's sick, and it
makes it very bad just now.'
so it does, answered Mrs. Beach, her
sympathies warmly enlisted. But never
mind, Joseph; remember only night be-
fore last my brother said he would want
new errand boy, in few days, for his
store, and he'd give good one two dol
lars a week. Now, I'll see him to-day,
and surely get the situation for you ifyou
like
The boys white face frightened. %, l
should be so very, very glad of it, Mrs.
Beach
And see here, Joseph, I'm going to
market, and, perhaps, l can find some
thing nice for little Mary
The lady remembered that Joseph s
mother, though poor seamstress, was a
very proud woman, and felt that this
would be delicate way of resenting her
gift.
So she found some delicious pears and
grapes, and a nice chicken to make some
broth for Mary, who she learned was i'll
with fever, before she proceeded to do her
own marketing.
But it was pity that the lady did moi
see Joseph, as he sprung into the cham
bcr, where little Mary lay wearily moan