St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-11-27

The old man watched his niece's ever,
movement, but he could see nothing
wasted. Every crumb was cared fol
and saved, and he was surprised to sec
what excellent dishes she prepared from
almost nothing.
One afternoon when the wind blew
cold and the snow was falling fast, a
poor girl raped at the door, and Kate
lei her in. Her name was Martha Allen.
and her father was a poor day laborer
who had been confined to his bed for
several months, having been severely in
jured while blasting rocks. Martha was
only fifteen. and was mild, blue eyed.
pretty Girl. She had come to see if Mr..
Burr could not help her father.
"Why should he send to me ?' the old
man asked nervously.
60, sir, hc does not know that | have
gone out to beg for him." returned the
girl: "but L could not bear to see him
suffer 50 in body and mind, without try
ing TO help him. For three long months
he has laid in his bed, and now he is
kept back by the thoughts of the debt he
will have on his shoulders when he gets
up. But thus TAR have not run him in
debt. though he thinks | have, and |
| dare not wholly unGeceive him, for fear
that | must do so. We have spent
every cent he laid up and have worked
hard, and sold many of my things but
| have nothing mere to sell, and all my
time must be spent with him. o, sir !,
for the love Of mercy, give me some
thing. If we ever can repay You, we
will
"5ut what would you have girl ,"
the old man asked, moving uneasily in
his chair
"A dollar, sir, or two dollars. You
would not miss it. willie"
"Nnt miss it, And do You think |
am full Of money ,"
At this moment Kate left the room,
ami in moment more she opened the
door and called fSr her uncle to come
out.
what Is it ," he asked. as he came
into the back room leaving the poor girl
alone
"Uncle Absalom, you must not send
,I,,. poor ch,Id ,wav cmrtv-h,u lnl =.
sha .',iI ul.,,.;p., Ln,L hands unon hi.
.houIJrr. ..Jnst ,hinL uf bar ncnr
father, and of how much she suffers for
him Y,u ar. ,bI, and ,s ,ure -. vou
oiv. !, ,.;,,ritv to her :, sur. shall vIur
reward b..
..And who's to reward me. chill ="
..Ynor n,vo ,h,uubts and E.riinr.
,p.,..-.
..T,,n .;y, Lcr ten dnIlors-
.rrn InII,r., Mercy KATE, Won
would ruin me"
..II,,r ,rr out Give brr ten dollars
and t.ot IN. end Of six months Won want
:, ho,L will nInd.,a m,.s.If tn 80. !,
n,;J"
ruu src IL palu "ncre VIII you
4rt it ,"
Il have more than that-money
which | have laid up to buy clothes
with"
/ Then vou conmut spare it"
/ Il can 20 without the clothes easier
than can see a poor honest man suffer
in@, when by means he may he blessed.
o, | would rather have the free, heart
lrlt hlc>-lng of one honest soul than all
tine dresses in the world To walk forth
and feel that | am loved for the good |
do, were better far than millions ot mon
cv piled awav in dark ccrnrrS. Go and
give her ten dollars and keep me to my
promise, for Will not forget it. But
mind you-my name must not be men
toned. Give it TO her As your own
.itt.
Il think il foolish for Won to throw
away YOUR money So. and vet I'll give it
to her. You won't come TO me for
dresses though !'
$40 slr."
The old man returned, and pulling out
his pocket book, he drew ont ten dollars
and handed it to Martha Allen.
..IIcrc." he said take this and see
that yom make good use of it,"
The poor girl took the money with a
trembling hand, and aS she looked at the
biIi,-two fivts--he was startled
"Ycu have made a mistake, sir" she
said.
-IIow so !'
..You have given me ten dollars"
$50 | meant, girl"
\ moment the child gazed into the old
mans face, and she then burst into tears.
90, sir :" she uttered, catching his
hand and pressing her lips upon it..
.'GoI bless you for this You know
not what JOY will lIume my poor faith
cr's heart when he knows of this. God
bless you, now and forever ~
When Martha Alien was gone, Ahsa-
I,,, I,,,. ,,.;no,l , ,o,r T-,r,, L., .,