American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-01-16

ed sight too beautiful for actual use, and
ho who came in, with his kindly glance
and handsome face, the noblest perfec.
ton of manhood she had ever seen.
-"Well, young lady, he said, blandly
smiling, "to whom am l indebted for
this pleasurep
"My father, sir, died in your debt"
said Eva Dlushingly speaking very softly.
by the strictess economy and very hard
Eiwork, we, my mother and I, have been
able to pay all his creditors but yourself
IF you will be kind enough to receive
the balance of your account IN small
sums-I am sorry they must be small,
sir-we can in the course of very few
years fully liquida,e the debt, and then
we shall have. .fulille1 my fathers dying
wish, that every stain might be wiped
I'ffom his honor" She paused moment
and said again falteringly, "My father
was very unfortunate, sir, and broken in
health for many years, but, sir, he was
honorable, he would have paid the last
cent if it had left him heggar."
Mr.. Miner sat awhile thoughtfully, his
dark eyes fastened upon the gentle face
before him. After moment of silence,
Phe raised his head, threw back the mass
of curling hair that shadowed his hands
some brow. and said:
81 remember your father well, l re-
grettcd his DEATH He was fine fellow
"a fine fellow" he added musingly !;
'but, my dear young lady, have you the
means-do you not embarrass yourself
by ating these payments !?
Eva flushed again, and looking up,in
gcnuous'y replied, Il am. obliged to work
sir but no labor would be too arduous
that might save the memory of such a
father from disgrace" f
This she spoke with deep emotion
The rich man turned with choking in
his throat, aud tears glis!ened on his
lashes. Eva timidly held out the two
gold pieces he took them and bidding
her stay moment, hastily left the room
Almost instantly returning he handed
h er sealed note, saying, "There is the
receipt, young lady, and allow me to add,
that the mother Of such child must be
happy7woman The whole debt, find,
is ninc hundred and seventy five dollars
You will see by my note what arrange
ments ! have made, and | hope they will
be satisfactory" a.
Eva left him with lighter heart, and
burning cheek at his praise. His man
ner was gentle, so fathcrly that she felt
he would not impose hardstonditions, and
it would be pleasure to pay one so kind
and forbearing. r.
At last she got homo, and breathlessiy
sitting ut her mothers feet, she opened
her letter Wonder of wonders-a bank
note enclosed sheshcld it without speaks
ing or looking at its value.
"Read it, she said, ater moments
bewilderment, placing the hitter in her
mothers hand-"here are fifty dollars
what can it mean Z" ..,..,
"This," said the sick woman, bursting
into tears, sis receipt in full, releasing
you from the payment of your fathers
debt Kind, generous man Heaven
will bless him-God will shower mercies
upon Lin. From grateful heart call
upon the Father to reward him for this
| act of kindness. Oh what shall We say,
what shall we do to thank him 7" as,
l.5"M Mother" said Eva. smiling through
her tears, 81 felt as if he was an angel Of
goodness. Oh. they do wrong, who say
that all who are wealthy have hard hearts
Mother, can it be possible we are SO richi
I wish he knew how very happy he has
made us, how much we will love and rev.
erenee him whenever we think or speak
of him, or even hear him spoken of y
"He has bound two hearts to him for
ever" murmured her mother -a
] "Yes.d dear Mr.. Miner little he though
how many comforts we wanted Ne W
need not stint the fire; we may buy coal
and have one cheerful blaze. please God
And the tea, the strip Of carpet, the su
gar, the little luxuries for you, dear moth
err and the time, and very few book
for myself. / declare I'm 50 thankful,
feel as if / ought 70 60 right back an
, tell him that we shall love him SO long q
t we live" se8tas5s p
} That evening theSgrate heaped wit
Lehigh gave the little room an air
: ruddy comfort. Eva sat near, her cur
e hound softly back from her pure forehea
b inditing touching letter to their benz
e factor Her mothers face, lighted wit
the loss of cankering care, shone with
a placid smile, aud her very thought WI
t, prayer calling down blessings upoa Il
!