Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-05-02

DOW. DON'T look AZ them any more
don't 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. ncc bought his fruit by
the barrel and here was a enid plead
ing for an apple, which cost only a cent.
But the the apple was denied, because
the penny must be saved TO make goou
the fathers honor. Who held that hon.
or in pledge? Who took the sum total
of those pennies, saved in the self-denial
OF little children, and added them to his
already brinming Golfers? A feeling OF
shame burned the cheek of Of Mr.. Ster-
ling.
"Here, little ones" he called as the
children went slowly away from the
fruit-shop window. He was touched by
the sober look on their sweet young
faces as they tnrned at his invitation.
"Come in, and I'll get you some ap-
Piles" he said.
Katie Granger held back, but Maggie
| drew out her hand, eager to accept the
offer, for she was longing COR the fruit.
The children followed him into the
shop, and he filled their aprons with APP
pies and oranges. Their thankful eyes
and faces were in his memory all day
This was his reward, and it was sweet.
| Three months more, and again Mr.
SteIling had visit from the pale young
| widow. This time she had only twen-
ty pollars. 1t was all she had been able
to save, she said; but she made no ex-
cuse, uttered no complaint. Mr.. Ster-
ling took the money and counted 1t over
in hesitatlng way; the touch thereof
was pleasant to his fingers, for he loved
money. But the vision of sober child
faces was before his eyes, and the sound
OF pleading child voices in his ear.
Through over-taxing toll and the denial
of herself and little ones, the poor wild
ow had gathered this small sum, and
was now paying it into his hands to
make good the honorable contract Of
her dead husband. He hesitated, ruttling
ia half absent way the edges of little
roll 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
| UG 4OlSlNChs SORAC NOulN SSb w uhNNA
stand the widows 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-natur-
ally-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 large poCket-book, and selected
from one of the cOmpart ments the note
on which Mrs. Granger had now made
three payments; for some moments he
! held it in his hands, looking at the face
J thereof. He saw written down in clear
figures the sum, $500. Seventy Of this
, had been paid. If he gave up or des'
troyed the slip of paper, he would lose
two hundred and thirty dollars. twas
something of trial for one who loved
, money so we'll, to come up squarely tC
this issue. Something fell in between
his eyes and the notes of hand. He die
not see the writing and figures Of the
obligation, but sad pleading little face
: and with the vision of this came to hi:
ears the sentenCe-"No, dear, it's fol
, fathers honor"
E The debate in Mr.. Sterlings mind was
1 over. Taking up pen he wrote acros:
: the face of Mr.. Changers note the wore
/ Cancelled" and then handed it to thu
r widow.
4 "What does this mean 2" she asked
!, looking bewildered.
e ut means" said Mr.. Sterling, that
t hold no obligations against your hus
band"
2 Some moments went by ere Mrs
y Changers thoughts became clear enough
n to comprehend it all. Then she replied
t as she reached back the note
8 II thank you for your generous kind
{ ness but he left his honor in my keep
ing, and must maintain it spotless."
i "That you have already DONE" an
k swered Mr.. Sterling, speaking through
r. emotions that were new to him sit
e as white as snow"
Then he thrust upon her the tWent
o dollars she had just paid him.
is "No, Mr.. Sterling" the widow said.
10 ut shall be as | will" was the re
d Spouse. 81 would rather touchlfre tina
/, your money. Every dollar would bur
IL upon my conscience like living Goals
Ii "But keep this last payment" urge
Il the widow II shall feel better"
"No, madam! Would you throw fir
o. upon my conscience? Your husband
ID honor never had stain. All men knee
Il. him to be pure and upright. When Go
at took him, He assumed his early debt
Of and did not leave upon him the heav
ee burden Of their payment. But he e
III with you another and most sacred DBL
CATION which you have overlooked i
e, part"
3. "What?" asked the widow, in an a
I'd most startled voice.
of "To minister to the wants Of yor
lie children, whom you have pinched an
of denied in their tender years-giving
he their meat to cancel an obligation whic
err death had paid. And you make me
ar party in the wrong to them. A
u madam!"-Mr, Sterlings voice softene
of very much-"if we could all see right
en- the right time, and do right in the rigl
We time, how much of wrong and sutferir
IN might be saved | honor your tru
of hearted, selCdevotion! but [ shall he I
)st party to its continuance. AS it is, I a
Uour Debtor in tho sun Of Rftv dO1lor