The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-02-28
HEsTER's MOTTO.

In an old house beside a wood lived q
little motherless girl. Her father loved
her dearly, but he tas grave, stuaious
man, who sat ell day in his musty libra
ry. Therefore he was not much of a
companion for his little daughter; and
as Hester was good child, who could
be trusted, she had much her own way in
roaming about tie ancient rooms or q uies
woodland avenues
One day, at Christmas time, a hard
frost set in. A great Ere was lit in the
library, and the master sat before it With
large book on hso-xnee. He read a
great deal about wars and fanines, and
sufferings caused for time by new in
ventions be loved to think of these
things, and ponder Aow they could be
prevented. z
Presently Hester stole in, and he put
his arm around her, and thought what q
comfortable little woman she looked in
her bright tartan dress, with quite a fine
color in her cheeks, rs if she did not feel
the cold at all
Where have you been, Hester? he
asked.
L have been running through the
woods, she answered, ssprinkling crumbs
for the little birds, Who can get nothing
to eat while this weather lasts
THAT was kind girl,' said her father :;
but it is not much good, Hester You
may save one or two, but think how
many will perish mother great forests
where no one notices them
Il suppose they must, she replied, mu.
singly; but il every one helped those
near them, they wouldn't. Let me do
what can, father
The father kissed her, and told her
she was kind child, and might 60 and
get another loaf andsprinkle about the
wood When she was gone, he sat and
thought little while, and then he sum
moned his housekeep,r, and bade her 90
to the village and inqiire who was in ur-
gent need, and provik them with bread
and fuel, and any ritte comfort which
might suit prticular csses.
Time passed on, andHester grew from
childhood into youth, and spent moro
time with her father inrhe library, where
they read and talked bgetherfor hours.
Once some new books came from Lon
don, and among then was one full Of
sad stories of poor iynorant children,
who had never heard If God, except in
curses, and who did not know they had
imm ortal souls fHeste sat and wept, as
her father read the dark history; and
when he had finished, she pursued her
needle-woyk for long white without
speaking.
--1alier,' she said, as asissu,-----~------
clear voioo, II afraid her courage
would fail if she hesitated moment. 'if
You will let me use that great empty
room beyond the dairy, I could have
some of the village children here on
Sundays-and perhaps once or twice in
the week--and teach them to read, and
tell them the beautiful words Of the
Bible
Hester, my child he replied. it
would be hard WORK for you; and yet,
what are one Or two poor children from
a village? Think of the swarming fac
tories! The responsibility rests with
their owners
But am not near factory said
Hester, coaxingly, 'only village But.
father, when Christ praised the woman
with the ointment, he did not say that
she had done all that might have been
done. but he said, She hath done what
she could
And the father yielded, and Hester
had her school.
Years passed by, and the master of
Tile Olo uOuSc WIS UuticQ luC aptCS
church, and his daughter had to leave
the quaint mansion, and the dear old
woods. She had plenty of money, but
she could not inherit her father 5 lands
because she was girl. And every one
wondered very much that she chose to
so to the heart OF a great smoky, manu-
featuring town.
She had not been long there when
trouble came. There was a war abroad.
and famine and pestilence at home. and
starving people clamored for bread in the
streets From her own windows Hester
saw the fearful mobs, with rage and hun
ger written on their wild faces, and her
heart ached to read the bitter scorn and
cold celebrations of those who sat in
high places, far from the misery and pain.
In the same newspaper she read of broad
lands across the sea, where fertile acres
were waiting for busy hands to plow and
cultivate them. At last her mind was
made up She would give up all her
fortune, except what would suffice for
her simple maintenance, and devote
it to taking some OF the starving crowds
20 the far off countries which wanted
them.
OF course she met with opposition =
When she consulted with the gentleman
who managed her affairs, he said. why
give up your property now Let me
draw up a viii. directing il to be so used
when you are dead, and that win make
you great benefac;or.'
No. she replied. People are sta--
wing now and besides, should like to
see what good my money does That
will be the best investment for me-
'Well,' said he, Il should not grudge
such a sacrifice if it wouA help all these
miserable people, but it will only be like
taking cup Of water from the ocean
4 know it is very little she answered
humbly; but you see it is all can do.
And it was done. Hester's few friends
heard only that she had gone abroad )
and the emigrants did not know what
they owed the gentle, cheerful lady, who
did so much to cheer their outward voy
age. They settled in 3 beautiful regior
in the New World, and she lived amons
them, taught the children, nursed th