Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-10-27
The Last Dollar.

He gave it to his wife with sigh,
yet with a look of resignation.
1T is our last dollar" he said.
But the Lord will provide"
The Rev. James Spring was minis
ter in the little mountain village of
Thornville. He was poor and his
congregation was poor. Often before
he had been very near his last dollar,
but he had never actually got to it
until to-day.
so you've been always saying,
sobbcd his wife; "but what is to be-
come OF us when this is gone? They
won't tr';-: Us any more at the store
and your salary won't be due these
three weeks, even if YOU get it then.
Why do you stay here. James, where
the people ar. SO poor g.1v 2. 90 ~, ~.
money to travel to it, if the Lord open.
ed a way. My work for the present
is here. He feedeth the young ra-
vens; he will surely feed US"
Il wish had your faith, but |
haven't; and it won't come to me.
Oh! what shall we do" and she
rung her hands despairingly. "My
poor childrcnW
"Once | was young and now | am
old" solemnly said her husband,
speaking in the words of the Psalmist,
yet never have | seen the righteous
forsaken. nor his seed begging bread" F"
AS if in answer to MS pious ejacula-
ton, there came a sudden knock at
the door. All the while the minister
and his wife had been talking, a storm
had been raging outside. On open
ing the door, traveller, quite wet
through, entered.
Il was coming through the forest
from Maryville," he said, "and ven
tured to stop at the first house | saw.
My horse is in the shed. Do | take
too great liberty p
mot at ALL" answered the master
of the house, 1--WE have but a poor
shelter, as you see but, such as it is,
you are welcome to it; there is a
good fire at any rate"
For it was in the kitchen where
this conversation took place. Indeed,
this humble home boasted no parlor,
and the kitchen was dining-ro0m,
Ndrawing-room, living room and all.
The stranger proved to be a man
OF education and intelligence; and, in
conversation with him, the minister
forgot his trnuble, aHi he was remind
ed of earlier aud brighter days, when
intellectual companionship had not
been the rare thing it was now, up
among the hills.
At last the storm abated, and the
stranger arose to 90. His host ac-
companied him to the gate, and watch
ed him till he disappeared behind a
turn Of the road.
"See here, James" said his wife,
eagerly, when he returned to the
house, II found this on the table near
where the gentleman sat"
1t was a fifty. y.dollar greenback,
wrapped hastily in bit of paper that
looked as if it had been torn from a
pocket-book, and on the inside of the
paper was written the verse of the
Psalmist, which it was now apparent
the traveller had overheard.
a thought he was writing the di-
rections he asked for" said the min
lister. ale means it for us. Thanks
to the Lord! Did l not say, my
dear, he would provide p
His wife burst into tears.
"God forgive meF she said. II
will never doubt again. The Lord
surely sent this stranger to our aid" !"
"And he will still provide" replied
her husband. "Whatever my lot be,
here or elsewhere, in him | trust"
A month after, letter, a rare
event, came to the "Rev. James
Spring" 1t was as follows: "Rev.
and Dear Sir,-The church at Mary
vile has unanimously called you to its
pastorate. The salary is fifteen hun
dred dollars and good parsonage
house." The letter concluded by
saying: aThe writer first came to
know you by your hospitality to him