The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-03-14
last to pay our owings, and we was living

last to pay our owings, and We was living
very hard
How much did you owe 2 asked Matilda
Over three pounds, dear; and then the
rent was four. / hadn't one halfpenny in
the house; paid the baker, Thursday was
a week; tother four was for the doctor, and
we was hungry and cold, we was; but, the
Lord be praised, we amt now
'Ah Joes good Sod
AS good as ever breathed, dear; but we
hadn't heard from him for long while, by
reason his regiment was up the country, but
you'll understand | didn't know that till
got his letter. And SO we was to be sold
up, and 20 into the house. frctted deal,
and then ! thought I'd 60 and tell your
missus; she be good friend but deary
me! | owed such world O. money only,
thinks l, she'll be main sorry to hear we
must go; and body likes somebody to be
sorry
'Ah, to be sure they do said Matilda.
| But che was out, and SO got nothing
only this child, bless her! she runs up and
gives me penny; but, dcary me! thinks
l. whatsa penny to them as owes 81 Is?
But, thinks !, my old man and me, we won't
cry together in the dark this last night. So
l walked on to the town with it, to buy a
half penny candle Of Mr.. Simms at the
postofice. Twas half way there from my
place, and when got into the shop, Sit
you down, Mrs. Grattan,' says he, for he
saw was main tired Il haven't seen you
Of long time
And that's true, Mr.. SIMS says l, for
it's little enough have to lay out, and
the shop t'other side Of the turnpike be
higher
swell, sat me down maybe quarter Of
an hour after I'd bought my candle, and
just as was going, in comes Mrs. Smms,
and, says she, Is that Grattan's wife!'
cay says he.
:Well, says she, Il reckon you remem-
bered to give her that letter.
"a good thing you spoke, my dear,
say he, . should have forgotten it-that
should
'Ifyou'll believe me, l trembled like a
leaf, to think should so near have missed
it. Be it a letter from the Indie ? says /.
cay says he, that it is, and nothing to
pay on it !; and it is marked to be left at the
postoffice till called for
well, dear, took it home, and waited
for my old man to come home, by reason l
can't read. and about dusk he comes in, and
we lights the candle, and my old man he
read it right out, for he's a fine scholar.
And there was two five-pound notes inside,
bless him; and, says he, Mother. I've got
made sergeant and now shall send to you
regular.
well, I've heard no better news this
many day = said Matilda.
1t was good, dear. Well, paid the
doctor, and when Mr.. Ball came next day,
says l, There's the money, sir and he
stared. Indeed, he says, l am surprised,
but them that pay can stay. So you see,
there's money to spend, more money dear,
when we be laid up with the rheumatize.
Upon this she laughed with genuine joy,
and taking up the kettle, wished Matilda
good afternoon, and hobbled away.
And knew, though it had never occurred
to the old woman, that al this happiness
was owing to my penny If she had not
had it to spend, she would not have walked
| to the postofice if she had not walked to
the postoffice, she would not have got her
sons letter-that precious letter which had
saved her from misery and the work house.
How happy l was as We walked home home ;
l seemed to tread on air, and yet knew of
was only my having been permitted to give
| it under such peculiar circumstances that
had made it such worthy and important
coin.
The lesson taught me by these little
events did not easily forget, and think
their moral is too obvious to need elaborate
ly enforcing. 1t may, however, be summed
up in few words. First, do not expect
that in your own strength you can make use
of even the best opportunity of doing good.
Second, do not put off till another day any
good which it is in the power of your hand
10 do at once. And thirdly, do not despond
because your means Of doing good appear
triAing and Insignificant, for though one
soweth and another reapeth, yet it is God
that givcth the increase: and who can tell
whether He will not cause that which is
sown to bear fruit an hundred-fold; who
can tell whether to have even penny to
give under certain circumstances may be to
have not a copper, but golden opportunity.
Sunday Magazine.