The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-20

some time struggling at the waters edge
among the broken ice, and then oeheVe
was nearly an hour creeping to your cot
tape door. I remember it all rather in
distinctly, but as I felt the fire and drank
the warm beer, I was different crea-
ture."
While they still talked, the husband
came in, and while he was eating his sup
per they agreed that he would walk TO
| Dean Hall and let the inmates know OF
the gentleman's safety, and when he was
gone they made up the fire with the coal
that remained to that poor household, ana
the woman crept up to the bed ana ieit
her guest to lie down and rest.
In the gray of dawn the laborer returned
with servant leading a horse and bringing
fresh suit of clothes.
The young gentleman took his leave with
many thanks, slipping three half-crowns
into the woman's hand, probably all the
money he had about him. And | must not
forget to mention that he kissed the baby,
for when she tells the story, the mother
always adverts to that circumstance with
great pride, adding that her child, being
as "clean as wax, was quite fit to be kissed
by anybody"
"Missus," said her husband, as they
stood in the doorway looking after their
guest, "who dost think that be !"
"I don't know" answered the missus.
"Then I'll just tell thee. That be young
Lord W.; so thou mayest be proud "o-
man; thou sits and talks with lords, and
asks them in to supper-ha, ha !" SO say
ing, the master shouldered his spade and
went his way, leaving her blinking the
three halCcrowns in her hand, and con-
sidering what she should do with them.
Her neighbor from the other cottage pre-
sently stepped in, and when she heard the
tale and saw the money, her heart was
ready to break with envy and jealousy.
ooh, to think that good luck should nave
come to her door and she have been SO
foolish as to turn it away. Seven shllllngs
and sixpence for morsel of food and a
nights shelter-it is nearly weeks
wages"
So there, as they both supposed, the
matter ended, and the next week the 1rost
was sharper than ever. Sheep were frozen
in the Jenny fields and poultry on their
perches, but the good woman had walked
to the nearest town and bought blanket.
II was a welcome addition to their bed
covering, and it was many long year since
they had been so comfortable.
But it CHANGED one day at noon that,
| looking out at her easement, she spled
three young gentlemen skating along the
ice toward her cottage. They sprang ON
the bank, took off their skates, and made
for her door. The young nobieman in
formed her that he had had such severe
cold he could not come to see her before:
"He spoke as pleasantly" she observed
in telling the story, " as if l had been
lady, and no less. And then he brought a
parcel out of his pocket; And l've been
over to b. he saws, 'and bought you a
book for keepsake, and hope you will
accept it = for then all talked as pretty as
could be for matter of ten minutes, and
went away. So waited till my master
came home, and we opened the parcel, and
there was fine Bible inside, all over gold
and red morocco, and my name was writ.
ten inside, and, bless him, ten-pound
note doubled down over the names. I'm
sure that when | thought he was poor
forlorn boy he was kindly welcome. sc
my master laid out part of the money IL
tools, and we rented garden, and he goes
over on IndTkCI-udy W SCH "Ii"U w StO''
So now, thank God, we want for nothing
This is how she generally concludes the
little history, never failing to add that the
young lord kissed her baby. :.
"But," said my friend, {" have not told
you what l thought the best part of the
anecdote. When this poor Christian
woman was asked what had induced hel
70 take in perfect stranger and trust him
with the best clothing the house afforded
she answered simply: Well, | saw hin
shivering and shrinking; so thought, thou
shalt come in for the sake of Him that hac
not where to lay His head "
The old woman in the cottage may opeI
her door every night of her future life tt
some forlorn beggcr, but it is all but Ger
tain that she will never open it to noble
man in disguise.
Let US do good, not to receive more il
return, but as an evidence of gratitude fol
what has already been bestowed. In
few words, let it be call for the love ant
nothing for the reward"
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