The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-01-04
Stenees @butatian grifaImt 4larhets, mussu,ut 1t.

shop, and he filed their aprons with ap
pies and oranges. Their thankful eye,
and happy faces were in his memory al
day. This was his reward, and it wa,
sweet.
Three months mere and again Mr.
Sterling had visit from the pale yoans
widow. This time she had enly twenty
dollars. Itwas all that she had been abl'
to save, she said; but she made no exeus,
and uttered ne complaint. Mr.. Sterlins
tosk the neney and countsd it over in 1
hesitating way. The touch thereof wal
pleasantte his fingers, for he lsvsd msney
Bat the vision Of sober child faces was
before his eyes, and the ssund of plead
| ing child veiees in his ears. Thrsugl
ever taxing toll, and the denial of herself
and little snes, the poorwidew had gath.
cred this small sum and was now paying
it into his hand-to make coed the hon
srable contract Of her dead husband He
hesitated, ruffling in half-abssnt way the
edges Of little pile of bills that lay an.
der his fingers. One thing was clear to
him, he .xeuld never take anything nerc
from the wiaew. The balance Of the debt
must be forgiven. People would get to
understand the widows case; they would
hear Of her sslf-denial and that Of her
children in order to pay the husband s
and fathers debt, Ia order to keep pure
his honor; and they would ask naturally
who was the exacting creditor? This
Al. n. L. Al
Slowly, as one in whose mind debate
still went on, aMr. Sterling tosk from his
desk pocket beck, and selected from one
of tie cemparneats the note on which
Mrs. Granger had now made three pay
ments. Fer some moments he held it'll
bis hands, locking at the face thereof
He saw written down in clear figures the
sun-S3e0. 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 to enc who loved money Sc well,
to ceme up squarsiy to this issue. Some
thing fell in between his eyes. and the
nste of hand. He did not see the writing
and figure ef the obligation, but sad
pleading little face, and with the vision
of this face came to his ears the sentence
"Ne, dear it's for fathers homer" The
debate in Mr.. Sterling's mind was ever
Taking up pen, he wrote acrsss the face
Of Mr. Granger's note the word Cancelled
and then handed it to the widew.
|, What does this mean7" she asked
rosk1ng bewffdered. --=7----
at means" said Mr. Sterling, "that
hold ne obligation against your has
band" egs q 5si
Some moments went by ere Mrs. Gran
gers thoughts became clear enough te
comprehend it all Then she replied, as
she reached back the note:
II thank you for your generous kind
ness, but he left his honor in nay keeping
and must maintain it ,petless."
That you have already done. answer
ed Mr.. Sterling, speaking through emo
white as snowp -
When he thrust upon her twenty dol
lars she had just paid.
''Ne, Mr.. Sterling the widow said.
1T shall be as | will!' was the re
spouse. Il would rather touch fire thar
your money, Every dollar of it weulc
burn upon my csnsciense like living
Goals"
'But keep this last payment" arge'
the widow. 'I shall feel better"
"No madam Would you throw fir
on nay conscisnce2 Your husbands hon
or never had stain. All men knew hin
to be pure and upright. When God tosl
aim, he assumed his earthly debts, ant
did not leave upon yeu the heavy bur
den of their payments. But he left witt
you another and NEST sacred obligation
which you overlooked in part"
"Whst?" asked the widow, in an al
most startled voice.
.Te minister to the wants of you
children" whom you have pinched ant
denied in their tender years-giving o
their meat to cancel an obligation whic
death had paid. And yoa have made IA
a party in the wreng to them. All, mad
.aral'' Mr., Sterling's voice softened yer.
much, .'if We could all see right at tn
right time and do right at the right timt
how much of wrong and suffering Nigh
be saved | honor your true hearted Sc
devotion, but [ shall be NO party to il
&C ntinuance AS it is, am your debte
in the sum of Fifty dsllars, and will re
Ipay it in my swn way and time" a4.s
Mr. Sterling made coed his wore
Under Providence, this circumstance wa
the means, of breaking through the har
crust of sslfishness and cupidity whic
: had formed around his heart. He Wa
not only generous to the widow in aftt
years, but doer Of many deeds of kline
/ ness and humanity, to which he had bee
H. tbnr cfr