The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-03-16
TRUE BENEvOLENCE.

rand YOU strip Yourself of comfort, for. the
sake of adding, 70 this rich merchants gains :"
The widow replied with flushed cheek. 1T
may seem light thing to you, but the thought
that | am slowly and surely wiping every stain
from my husbands honor, is my greatest earthly
comfort. Mr.. Miner is his last creditor, and God
willing every cent shall be paid"
Her coarser relative respond with an emphatic
''fiddlestick.' and angrily left her presence
AT last have it," said silvcry voice, and
sweet face glad and brilliant, frightened up the
gloom
"Only see, mother, ten dollars and my own ten
more makes twenty; so we shall have a nice little
sum for Mr. Miner"
Tears trembled on the widows lashes, and
ylittcrcd on her pale cheek. rs it to be the
price of thy life, my precious one T" she thought
rs the canker worm at the heart of my beautiful
flower: Must give thee up to weary toll,
sacrifice upon the altar of duty !: Can it be that
God requires it =
Eva knelt at her mothers feet where she had
fallen with all the abandon of child, her glance
fastened to the gold.
Lifting her glance she met that OF her mother,
full of anxiety, touched with sorrow. a sudden
smile broke over her delicate features.
IL was only thinking of the endless things this
money would ouy-don't look so grave, mamma
suci beauty of warm shawl for you and IL
neat crimson cover Tor that untidy old arm chair,
a bit ever so little OF carpet to put down by the
bed: that your feet need not feel this cold floor
and Il pretty cap besides coal, and tea, and sugar,
and such nice comfortable things. But never
mind" and she sprang to her feet brushed back
her brown curls, and drew on her neat little
bonnet,---'never mind, | may be able to write a
book one of these days, that'll make you and
rich And, dear mother, you shall ride in your
own carriage, and may be those that scorn us
now, only because we arc poor may be thankful
for our notice. \ truce to romance she grayely
continued; "stern reality tells me to 20 directly
up t. Madison street, lind Mr.. Miner, give him
this twenty dollars, take Il receipt, and then come
home and read and sing to my mother"
Huriedly Eva passed from her house along
the narrow streets. As she Went onw ward street
after street diverged into pleasant width and
pallce-lined splendor The houses of greatness
and wealth gltterred in their marble beauty
under the golden sunlight. Up broad steps,
through portals carved and shining, passed the
timid steps of Eva Sternc.
At first the pompous servant smiled contemp-
tuous denial but after moment, perhaps soft
ened by her childish simplicity and winning
blue eyes, he deemed il best not to deny her ur-
geucy; and She entered this palace of rich mans
home. Softly her feet sank in the luxurious
hall-carpet. Statualy in bronze and marble, lin
cd all the way to the staircase The splendor of
the room into which she ushercd. seemed to
her inexperienced sight too beautiful for actual
use, and he Who came ill., with his kindly glance
and handsome face, the noblest perfection OF man
hood she nau ever seen.
We'll. young lady" he said blandly smiling
40 whom am ! indebted for this pleasure 7"
MY father, sir, died in your debt" said Eva
blushIngly, speaking very softly. by the strict
est economy and very hard work, my mother and
| have been able TO pay all his creditors but
yourself. If You will be kind enough to receive
tic balance uI your account i'll small suns am
sorry they must be small, sl-we can i'll the
course OF a few years fully lqudate the debt, and
then We shall have fulfilled my fathers dying
wish, that every stain might be wiped from his
honor She paused moment and said again
faltcringly, MY father was very unfortunate,
sir and broken in health tor many years, but, sir.
he was honorable, he would have paid the last
cent if ii had left him q beggar
MIR. Miner sat awhile thonghtfully, his dark
eyes fastened upon the gentle face before him.
Alter a moment OF silence, he raised his head,
threw back the mass Of curling hair thatshadow-
ed his handsome brow, and said:
Il remember Your father well. l regretted his
death. de was fine !ellow---a fine fellow" he
added musingly; but my dear young lady,
have YOU the means-do you not embarrass your
self by making these payments.'
Eva blushcd again, and looking up ingcnuosly
replied, Il am obliged TO work, sir, but no labor
would be too arduous that might save thctmemory
OF such a father from disgrace
This she spoke with deep emotion. The rich
msn turned with choking in his throat, and
te'rS gliseuea on his lashes. Eva timidly held
out the two gold pieces; he took them and bid
ding her stay moment hastily left the room.
Almost instantly returning he handed her
sealed note, saying, "There is the receipt, young
laly, and allow me to add that the mother of
such u child must be happy women. The
whole debt, find is nine hundred and seventy
five dollars. You will by my note what ar
ringencnts have made, and hope they will
bc satisfactory
Eva left him with lighter hesIt and burn
ing check at his praise. His manner was gentle
10 iath,rly that she felt he would not impose
hard conditions, and il would be pleasure to
pay one so kind and forbearng.
At LAST shc got home, and breathlcssiy sitting
Al ..tr mothers feet, she opened her letter.
Wonder OF wonders--a bank note enclosed she
Led it without speaking Or looking at its value.
Read it," sho said, after moments bewilder-