Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-09-16

fruit-shop window. He was touched BY
the sober look on their sweet young faces
as they turned at bis invitation.
Come 10, and III getyou some apples
he said.
Katie held back, but Maggie held out
her hand, eager to accept the offer, for
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 ana happy tacee-wcre IN MS nisu'-
ory all day. This wes his reward, and
| it was sweet.
Three months more, and again Mr..
Sterling had a visit from the pale young
widow. This time she had only twenty
dollars. It was all she had been able to
save, she said bul she made excuse and
uttered no complaint. Mr.. Sterling took
the money and counted it over in hes
itating way. I be touch thereof was
pleasant to his fingers for he loved money.
But the vision of the sober child faces
was before his eyes, and the sound Of
pleading child voices in his ears
Through over taxing toll, and the denial
of herself and little ones, the poor widow
had gathered this small sum, and was
now paying it into his hand-to make
good the honorable contract of her dead
husband. He hesitated, ruffling in half
absent way the edges of the 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 forgiy-
en-. People would get to understand the
widows case; they would hear of her
self denial, and that of her children, in
order to pay the husbands and fathers
debt in order to keep pure his honor !;
and they would ask naturally who was
the exacting creditor? This thought af-
fected him unpleasantly.
Slowly, as one in whose mind debate
still went on, Mr.. Sterling took from his
desk large pocket book aud seiccted
the note on which Mrs. Granger had now
made three payments. For some mo-
ments he held it in his hands, looking at
the face thereof. He saw written down
10 clear figures, the sum, $500. Seventy
Of this had been paid. If he gave up or
destroyed the slip of paper, he would
lose two hundred and thirty dollars. 1t
was something of trial for one who low
ed money so well, to come up squarely
to this issue. Something fell in 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
bis ears the sentence: No dear, it's for
fathers honor
The debate in Mr.. Sterling's mind was
over. Taking up pen he wrote across
the face of Mr., Granger's note the word
Cancelled and then handed it to the
widow.
'What does this mean ? she asked,
looking bewildered.
1T MEANS said Mr.. Sterling, that
hold no obligation against your husband
Some moments went by ere Mrs.
Granger's thoughts became clear enough
to comprehend it all. Then she replied,
as she handed back the note.
Il thank you for your generous kind
ness, but he left his honor in my keeping,
and must maintain it spotIess.'
That you have already DONE answer
ed Mr.. Sterling, speaking through some
emotions that were new to him. 1T is as
white as snow
Then he thrust upon her the twenty
dollars she had just paid him.
No, Mr.. Sterling, the widow said.
1T shall be as l will = was the res
ponse. would rather touch fire than
your money. Every dollar would burn
upon my conscience like living Goals
But keep this last payment urged the
widow, i shall feel betterI
No. Madame! Would you throw
fire upon my conscience Your hus-
bands honor never had a stain. All
men knew him to be pure and upright.
When God took him he assumed his
earthly debts, and did not leave upon you
the heavy burden of their payment
But he left with you another and most
sacred obligation, which you have over
looked in part
What? asked the widow in an al
mos, startling voice.
To minister TO the wants Of your chill
| L.. . II, ,-o,, have ,,,ooba1 and Ia