Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-07-21

Here, little oncs.' he called, as tn
two children went slowly away from tn
fruit shop window. lie was touched
with the sober look on their sweet young
faces us they turned at his invitation.
"Comc in, and I'll get you soplc ap
plcs," he said.
Katie held back, but Maggie drew ou
her hand, eager to accept the offer, fol
she was longing for the fruit.
"Come!" repeated Mr.. Sterling speak.
ing very kindly.
The children then followed him into
the shop, and he filled their aprons with
apples and oranges. Their thankful eyes
and happy faces were in his memory all
day. This was his reward, and it was
sweet.
Three months more, and again Mr..
Sterling had visit from the pale young
widow. This time she had only twenty
dollars. 1t was all she had been able to
save, she said; but she made no excuse,
and uttered no complaint. Mr. Sterling
took the money and counted it over in a
hesitating way. The touch thereof was
pleasant for he loved money. But the
vision of sober child faces was before his
eyes, and the sound of pleading child
voices in his ears.
Through overtaxing toll, and the denial
of herself and little ones, the poor widow
had gathered this small sum, and was
now paying it into his hands--tc make
good the honorable contract of her dead
husband. He hcsitated, ruffling in a
half-absent way the edges of little pile
of bills that lay under his fingers. One
thing was clear to him he would never
take anything more from the widow
The balance of the debt must be forgiv-
en-. People would get to understand the
Widows case they would hear of her
children in order to pay the husbands
and fathers debt. in order to keep pure
his honor; and they ask naturally, who
was the e1acting creditor This thought
affected him unpleasantly.
Slowly, as one in whose mind debate
still went on, Mr.. Sterling took from his
desk large pocket-book, and selected
from one of the compartments a note on
which Mrs. Granger had now made three
payments. For some moments he held
it in his hands, looking at the face there
of. He saw written down in clear figures
the sum Of $500. Seventy of this had
been paid. If he gave up or destroyed
the slip of paper, he would lose two hun
dred and thirty dollars. 1t was some-
thing of trial for one who loved money
so well, to come up squarely to this issue.
Something fell III between his eyes and
the note of hand. He did not see the
writing and figures of the obligation, but
sad pleading little face, and with the
vision Of this face came to his ears the
sentence; mo, dear, it's for father s
honor"
The debate in Mr.. Strings mind was
over. Taking up pen he wrote across
the face of Mr.. Granger's note the word
"Cancellcd," and handed it to the widow
"What does this mean ?" she asked
looking bewildercd.
cit means" said Mr.. Sterling. "that
l hold no obligations against your hus.
band"
Some moments went by ere Mrs. Gran
gers thoughts became clear enough tc
comprehend it all. Then she replied a.
she reached back the note:
Il thank you for your generous kind,
ness, but he left his honor in my keeping
and / must maintain it spotless.'
THAT you have already DONE" an.
swered Mr.. Sterling, speaking through
emotions that were new to him. at il
as white as snow"
Then he thrust back upon her the TWEEN.
ty dollars she had just paid him
"No, Mr.. Sterling" the widow said.
"1t shall be as l will - was the re.
sponse. 81 would rather touch fire thar
your money. Every dollar would burn
upon my conscience like living Goals"
"But keep the last payment" urgct
the widow, Il shall feel better"
"No, Madame! Would you throw
fire upon my conscience? Your hus
bands honor never had stain. All mel
knew him to be pure and upright. Wher
God took him, lie assumed his cartbl,
debts, and did not leave upon .you the
heavy burden of their payment But he
left upon you another and most sacrec
obligation. which you have overlooked il
part
"What?' asked the widow, in an al
most startled voice.
ITO minister to the wants of YOU,
children whom you have pinched and de.
MED in their tender years-gving theil
meat to cancel an obligation which death
had paid. Aud you have made me par.
ty III the wrong to them. All, Madam
Mr.. Stcrling's voice softenod very much
'.if VIC could all see right at the right
time, and do right at the right time, how
much of wrong and suffering might be
saved. | honor your true hearted self
devotion but shall be no party to it.
continuance. AS it is, l am your debtor
in the sum of fifty dollars, and will re-
pay it in my own way and time"
Under Providence, this circumstanc,
was the means of breaking through tn,
hard crust of selfshness and cupidit,
. which had formed around his heart. HI
! was not only generous to the widow in af
fer s,nars hut laa= &C