The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-01-04
wooDsFIELD MONROE COUNTY OHIO, JANUARY A. 1865. V.

cred about three months afterwards that
he was mistaken in his esti mate 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 he displayed her husband
note, with its dear familiar writing. and
made thereon with considerable fermality
an endorsement Of the sum paid. She
would have givea many drops of hel
hearts bleod to have been able to clutch
that document from Mr.. Sterling's hands.
His possession of it seemed like blot on
the dear lost sne's memory. @
"Katie Granger is the queerest little
girl I ever knew" said Flora Templs to
her neither on the evening of the very
day on which his 6rst payment was made
Mr. Sterling heard the remark. and let
ting his eyes drop from the newspaper
he was reading, turned his ears to listen.
Il think her very nice little girl, re-
piled the neither.
ssSs she is nice" returned the child;
'bat then she is SO queer"
what de yeu mean by queer?"
ooh, she isn't like ths;rest of us girls.
She said the oldest thing to-day. l al
most laughed out; but I'm glad didn' t.
Three Of us, Katie, Lille Bondfeld and
l, were walking round the square at re-
cess time. Uncle Hiram came along, and
taking out three brighten cent pieces,
he said, here's dime for each of yea
girls, to buy sugar plums" Lille and l
screamed out, and were starting away fer
the candy shop in an instant; but Kittis
stosd still, with her share Of the money
in her hand. .Csue alongr cried.
She didn't move, but, looked strange and
serious. Amt you going to buy candy
with it? I asked. Then she shook her
head gravely and put the dime in her
pocket, saying, I don't think she meant
fer me to hear the wOrds,9 It's for faith
er's honor, and leaving US, went back to
the schsol-room. What aid she mean BY
that nother2 Oh she is so strange"
"Her mether is poor, yeu know" re-
piled Mrs. Sterling, laying up Katie's
singular remark to be pondered over.
.'shs must be, said Flora, ''for Katie.
worn the same freok 60 school every day
for nearly three months
Mr.. Sterling, who did not let single
word of this conversation escape him, was
far from feeling comfortable under the
prospect of getting back the money he
had leaned Mr.. Granger as he had felt
an hour before. He understood the mean
ing Of Katie's remark-"It's for father
homer" the truth flashing at once through
his mind
There was another period Of three
months and Mrs. Granger called again
upon Mr.. Sterling, and gave him twenty
dollars more. The pale thin face made 6
stronger impression en- him. 1t troubled
HIN to lift the msney her small fingers il
which the blue veins shone through the
transparent skin, had counted out. He
wished that she had sent the meney in
stead of calling. 1t was on his lips te
remark, De not trouble or pinch your
self to pay faster than convenient, Mrs
Granger" but cupidity whispered thar
she might take advantage of of his con
siderate kindness, and he kept silent.
"Ne, dear; it's for fathers homer, l san
spend it."
Mr.. Sterling was passing print shop
where two children were looking in at tn,
windew when this sentence struck upel
his ears.
can apple won't cost but penny
Katie; and l want one SO badly" answer
ed the younger of the two children, a lit
tie girl net five years of age.
"Come away, Maggie" said the othe
drawing her sister back from the window
Don't look at them any mers-don
think about them"
"But cant help thinking about ther
sister Katie pleaded the child.
it was mere than Mr.. Sterling eeul
stand. Every want Of his ewn childre
vas supplied. He bought fruit by tn
barrel. And here was little child plead
Ing for an apple, which cost bat a cen
but the apple was denied because the per
ny must be saved to make geod the dea
fathers honor. Who held that honor
pledges. Who took the SUM total of thre
pennies; saved in the self denial OF littl
children, and added them to his alrsad
brimming Golfers? A feeling Of sham
burned on the cheeks of Mr. Sterling.
"Hers little one!' he called, as the tw
children went slowly away to the fru
Ishop window. He was touched With th
sober look on their sweet young faces, 4
they turned at his invitation.
/ "Come in, aud III got yeu some apple
he said
i Katie held back, but Maggie held o,
ant ho aRa e.