Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-09-16
the three hundred dollars ! was foolish
enough 10 lend her husband

cred, about three months afterwards, that
he was mistaken in bis estimate of Mrs.
Granger. The pale, sad, fragile little
woman, brought him the sum of twenty
five dollars. He did not see the tears in
her eyes as be displayed her husband 5
note, with its dear familiar writing, AID
made thereon, with considerable formali-
ty an endorsement of the sum paid. She
would have given many drops Of her
hearts blood TO have been able 10 clutch
that document from Mr.. Stering's hands,
His possession of it seemed like blot on
the dear ones memory.
katie Granger is the queerest little
girl ever knew, said Flora Temple to
her mother, on the evening Of the very
day, on which his first payment was
made. Mr.. Sterling heard the remark,
and letting his eyes drop from the news
paper be was reading, turned his ear TO
listen.
i think her a very nice little girl re-
piled the mother.
so she is NICE returned the child ;
but then she is so queer
What do you mean by queer"
30. she isn't like the rest of US girls.
She said the oldest thing to-day. I al
most laushed right out but I'm glad |
didn't. Three of us, Katie, Lille Bon
field and / were walking around the
squars at recess time, when Uncle Hiram
came along, and taking out three bright
ten cent peices, he said, heres dime
for each of you girls to buy sugar plums.
Lille and screamed out and were start
| ing away in an instant for the candy shop /;
but Katie stood still with her share of
the money in her hand. Come along =
| cried. She didn't move, but stood
strange and serious. 'Aint you going
to buy candy with it / asked. Then
she shook her head gravely and put the
dime in her pocket, saying q don't think
she meant for US to hear the words)-'It's
for fathers honor;' and leaving US, went
back to the scboo! room. What did she
mean by that, mother? Oh, she is SO
strangep
Her mother is very poor, you know,
replied Mrs. Sterling, laying up Katie's
singular remark to be pondercd over.
She must be- said Flora, for Katie's
worn the same frock TO school every day
for most three months
Mr.. Sterling, who did not let single
word Of this conversation escape him,
was far from feeling as comfortable un-
der the prospect of getting back the
money he loaned Mr.. Granger, as he
had felt an hour before. He understood
the meaning of Katio's remark-Its for
fathers honor ! the truth flashed at once
through his mind.
There was another period of three
months, and Mrs. Granger called upon
Mr.. Sterling, and gave him twenty
five dollars more. The pale thin face
made stronger impression on him. 1t
troubled him TO lift the money which ber
small fingers, in which the blue veins
shone through the transparent skin, had
counted out. He wished she had sent
the money instead of calling. 1t was on
bis lips to remark, do not trouble or
pinch yourself to pay faster than is con-
venient, Mrs. Granger but cupidity
whispered that she might take advantage
Of his considerate kindness and SO kept
silent.
No dear it's for fathers honor; can't
spend it,
Mr. Sterling was passing fruit shop,
where two children were looking in at
the window, when this sentence met his
ear.
AN apple won't cost but a penny
Katie and want one so badly answer
ed the youngest of the children, little
girl not ivo years of age.
Come away Maggie said the other,
drawing her sister back from the window.
Don't look at them any more,-don't
think about them
But I can't help thinking about them.
sister Katie pleaded the child.
1t was more than Mr.. Sterling could
stand. Every want of his own children
was supplied. He bought fruit by the
barrel, and here was little child plead
ing for an apple, which cost only one
cent But the apple was denied because
the penny must be saved to make good
the dead fathers honor. Who held that
honor in pledge Who took the sum to-
tai Of these pennies, saved in the self-de-
NAL of little children, and added them tC
bis already brimming Golfers ? A feeling
of shame burned the cheeks Of Mr.. Ster'