Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-12-12

pTUSptCtS VI RttIfDR Dack his money ne
had loaned Mr. Granger as he had felt
meaning Of Katie's remaIk-"It Is for
fathers honor;" the truth flashing at
once through his mind
There was another period OF three
months, and Mrs. Granger called on Mr..
Sterling again. and gave him twenty
five dollars more. The pale, thin face
made strong impression on him. 1t
troubled him to take the money from her
small fingers, in which the blue veins
shone through the transparent skin as IL
was counted out. He wished that she
had sent the money instead of calling
1t was on his lips to remark: "Do not
trouble, yourself to pay faster than con-
venient, Mrs. Granger" but cupidity
whispered that she might take advantage
of his considerate kindness, and 80 he
kept silent.
No dear It IS for fathers honor; 1
cart spend it."
Mr.. Sterling was passing a fruit shop,
where two children were looking in at
the window, when this sentence struck
his ears:
"An apple do MT cost but a penny.
Katie, and | want one so badly" an
swered the younger of the two children,
a little girl not five years of age.
"Come away, Maggie" said the other,
drawing her sister back from the window,
" Do MT look at them any more--do MT
think about them"
"But can't help thinking about them,
sister Kate" pleaded the child.
1t was more than Mr.. Sterling could
stand. Every want Of his own children
was supplied. He bought fruit by the
barrel And here was little child
pleading for an apple, which cost only q
cent! but the apple was denied, because
the penny must be saved to make geod
the dead fathers honor. Who held that
honor in pledge? Who took the sum to-
tai of these pennies, saved in self-denial,
of this little child, and added them to his
already brimming Golfers? A feeling Of
shame burned the cheek of Mr.. Sterling.
"Here little ones" he called as the
two children went slowly away from the
the fruit shop window. He was touched
with the sober look on their sweet young
faces as they turned at his invitation.
"Come in, and III get you some ap-
pies" he said.
Kate held back, but Maggie drew out
her hand. eager to accept the offer, for she
was longing for the fruit.
"Come," repeated Mr.. Sterling, speak
ing very kindly.
The children followed him into the
shop. and he filled their aprons with ap-
Piles and oranges. Their thankful eyes
and happy faces were in his memory all
day. This was his reward, and it was
very sweet.
Three months after, and again Mr..
Sterling had visit from the pale young
widow. This time she had only twenty
dollars. 1t was all she had been able to
save, she said; hut she made no excnse
and uttered no complaint. Mr.. Sterling
took the money and counted it over in
a hesitating way. The touch thereof
was very pleasant to his fingers, for he
loved money. But the visit Of sober
child-faces WAS before his eyes, and the
sound ofpleading child-voices in his ears.
Through overtaxing toll and the denial
of herself and little ones, the poor widow
had gathered this small sum, and was
now paying into his hands to make good
the honorable contract of her dead hus-
band. He hesitated, ruffiing in half
silent way the edges of a little pile of bills
that lay under his fingers. One thing
was clear to him--he never would take
anything more from the widow. The
balance of the debt must be forgiven
People would soon understand the wild
ow's case: they would hear of her self
denial, and that of her children, in order
to pay the husbands and fathers debt.
in order to keep pure his honor; and
they would ask, naturally, who was the
exacting creditor. This thought affected
him unpleasantly.
Slowly, as one in whose mind debate
still went on, Mr.. Sterling took from his
desk a large pocket-bOok, and selected
from one of the departments the note on
which Mrs. Granger had now made three
For some moments he held
it in his hands. looking at the face there
of. He saw written down in plain fig
ures the sum $500. Seventy of this had
been paid. If he gave up or destroyed
the slip of paper, he would lose $3.50. 1t
was something of trial for one who
to this issue. Something fell in between
his eyes and the note of hand. He did
not see the writing and figures of the OBJ
legation, but sad, pleading little face,
md with the vision of this came to his
ears the sentence, "No, dear, it Is for
fathers honor" ....
The debate in Mr.. Sterling's mind was
over. Taking up a pen, he wrote across
the face OF Mr.. Granger's note the word
' Cancelled" and then handed it to the
widow. tatH,.g. ..s.
"What does this mean ?" she asked,
looking bewildered. 49,. ,.... .1.....
- III means, Shiu MI otoIDnk, bndt
hold no obligations against your hus-
band" .. ET- ..,tr...
Some moments went by ere Mrs. Gran
gers thoughts became clear enough to
it all. Then she reached
back the note: .r r... ...
:" I thank you for your generous kind
ness-but he left his honor in my keep
ing, and must maintain it spotless.h
THAT you have already DONE" an
swered Mr.. Sterling, speakiag through
that were new to him lit is as
white as snow" 81 .ssug
Then he thrust upon her twenty dollars
,he had just paid him. r.1-f .....
" No, Mr.. Sterling" the widow said.
at shall be as I will,p was the re-
'p0nse. Every dollar would burn upon
my. conscience like living coals!'
But keep the last payment" urged
he widow, ':;I shall feel better" 81
mo, madam! Would you throw fire |
ipon my conscience? Your husbands
honor never had q STAIN ,All,men knew
him to. he pure and upright. When God
oOk him he assumed his earthly debts,
md did not leave upon you the heavy
burden Of their payment. But he left |
With you another and most sacred obli- |
,ation, which you have overlooked in
)art." o.,I1 .la.,.rt.t. s.. ...-.. -. ...a
t"What?'' asked the widow, in an al
most startled voice.
"T0 minister to the wants Of your chill
lren. whom you have pinched and de-