The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-04-19

to i.ke the money frpsu her small bnsen.
In which tho blue vsins shone tl,roneh tho
transparent skin, m it was counted o'lt
lie wished she had sent the money instead
OF calling. Il was on his lips tn rrfnaft,
DO uot trpub,e o. pinch yovpelfts pay
faster than ID convcuisut MIS-. GransrS,'
but .eujittity whispered tl,st she might takc
advantage Of his eonsiderute kindness, and
50 sob. he kept silent. I'D. ,.,. .l,,..
mo dear, it's for father. honor cant
spend H."
Mr.. Sterling was psi,sins ! frat shop,
where two cbil,lrrn, were looking n at the
window. whom this struck upon his can.
"An apple won't c0st hut a penny, IA
tie, and want one 40 badly" answered
the younger Of tho two children, q little
GID no, ave years Of age: ., ,'.,'.''.',
'C1me away, Magxie." said the .o,''e''
drawing her s;aer .beok from ,ibs ,wiPdoN~.
"Dop tbink about them" ~ ,ii O.. ,,ji;,,
"Byt cant help thinking about then',
sister Kntie,"' pIeaied the child, -.
Il was more than Mr.. Sterling could
stand. Every want OF his own children
was supplied. He bough, fruit by tho t,av.
rel. = And here was o lit,ls cbild pleading
for mn apple. which cost only q cent ban
the apple was denied l'eca,,re tho penny
must I've snved 10 make good the deal fa:
therS honor. Who held that honor ~
Iiedgc7 Who took the sum total Of these
PENNIES, saved in tho self:dctiai Of httlc
ehildren, and added them, to his already
brinming coaen7 4 feeling Of shame
burned the checks Of Mr.. Sterling. =. .,...
"flere. little Ones" he called, as tho two
children went slowly away from the fr,it.
shop window. lie WINS tonched with the
sober look on their sweet young faces os
they turned at his invitation. ..,r,...r..
Come in, and I'LL get tyou some apples
he replied. w. .
Kaiie held back. hut mnygie ,lrrw o,it
her lmndltb accept tho offer, for sfc ~us
longing for the fruit. '' s''. :. 10
@Come, repeated Mr.. Sterling, speaking
very kindly, s.,.- a,in g.. :. .
The children followed him into the shop
and he filed their aprons with apples and
oranges. Their thankful eycs and happy
faces were in his memory all day. This
wss his reward and h was sweet. s. .
Three moSti,a tnoe. and again Mr. Sier-
ling had visit ffpn the pale young viii.
ow. This time she l.Rd only tweniy dol.
lars. Il was all she Ind been able to save,
slle said but she nna,lc no excuse and ut.
tered no complaint. Mr.. Sterling took the
money and counted II over In a hcsitating
way. The touch thereof WIS pleasant 10
his fingers, for he loved money. Bot tho
vision of sober child faces was before l,is
eyes, uptl the sound Of plea,ling child voic.
cs in his cars. Through oyer.iaxing toll
anj the denial Of herself aud little ones,
the poor widow Ind gathered this small
sum, and Was now paying u into his hands,
to make good the honorable contrnct Of her
dead husband. lie hcsiiated, ruflling in a
halt absent why the edges Of little pile of
bills that lay under bis fingers. One thing
was clear to him,-be never would take
anything more from the widow. The bal
ance oftho debt must l,c forgiven. People
would get to understand the widows case |;
they wonId hear Of her self deniai, and
that of her children, in order TO pay tho
husbands and fathers debt, In orler 10
keep p,irc .his honor; and they. would ark
naturally y-wbO was the eJacting credit
or? This thougl, tafected him unp'eas.
unity.
Slowly. AZ one In whose mind debate
sill went on, Mr.. Sterling took from his
desk large pocket.book, and selected from
ono Of tho compartments tho note on
which Mrs.. Granger lind now made three
payments; for some moments be held i
In his hands, looking at the face thereof.
He saw wittm down In clear figures the
sum, $500. Seventy oi this had been paid.
II he gave up the sip Of paper he would
lose Two hundred and thirty dollars. il
was something of trial for Que who loved
money 80 we'll, TO come up squarely TO the
issue. Something tell In between bis eyes
and the note OF hand tle did not SEQ the
writing and figures of the obligation, hut a
sad, pleading little face, und with tho vision
Of this came to his ears The sentcnce-"No,
dear, It's for father's honor" ...- .
The debate in Mr.. Stcrling's mind was
over. Taking up pen, he wrote across
the face Of Mr.. t;nnger's note tho word
"cancclled," and than bundled Il to the
widow. .aI Ha' f"a - ''.f" .7'
"Wiat does this mean p she ssked look
ing i,ewillerod. .-.. 'a.g.'s' 8.Lr ~
.."lt means" said Mr.. Sterling, "that }
hold 10 obligations against your hus-
banh.' I...I,...- .,I.t.,.,. .......
Some moments went by ere Mn. Gran;
gers Thoughts became clear enough to
comprsheni IL all. Then she replied, as
she reached hack the note,- ,r..-. ....r o..
II thank you for your generous kindness
but he Left his honor in my keeping. and
I must maintain II spotlcns
aThnt you have already donc," answer.
ed Mr.. Sterling, speaking through emotions
that wire new to him; "it Is M white m
snow" -ts'
Then h. thrust upon her the twenty dol.
lam she had Just paid him. - h.
mo, Mr.. Sterling" tho widow said.
at shall be a. will ~ was the rrsponse
~ would rather touch fro Than your mon
ey. Every dollar would burn upon my
conscience like living Goals"
But keep this last payment" }" urged the
widow III shall teoi better" '.'
sNo. madam. Wouh yo,i throw hro
upon my conscieuce7 Your husband q
honor never had stain. All men knew
him TO be puro and upright When Cod
took him. lie assumed his early debts and
did not leave upon you the MinIen ~ Their
payment. But he left will, you another
and most sacnd obligation, which you have
overlooked IN purt." ",
"Wiar?" asked the widow in an almost
sanlrd ,oies. ,.
sIo minister to the wants Of your ehi
drrn, whom yos have punched nnd dsniosi
in their tander ycas giving of their meat
TO cancel an obligation which death had
paid. And yoi made me a psry in, tie
wrong to them. Ah, madam !"-Mr. Ster.
ling 8 voice soitened very much --.if we
cpuld al see night In the right time, and do
right At the right time, how mnch Of wroug
and suffering might bs saved ] honor
your ir,c hearted self.devotion +; hut ] shall
l,o no pauy 10 iis continuance A Il 10. ]
am your dclHor in the s.Mn of fly dollars:
ani will repay Il in my own wsy anu
time" -, ....,.,..t4..a ~
Mr. Sterling made good his wonI. Un,