Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-02-16
ter to this woman about half an hour

ter TO this woman about half an houl
ago."
"Of course l did not sir. I never
pass counterfeits or take them
"You see can do nothing for you
resumed the employer, turning to the
woman. "The lad knows what he i,
about, and he says he never gave it to
you"
"But | tell you sir, | had no other
money" was the indignant reply.
81 have no proof of that. so now
take your quarter and go your way
You will pass it easy enough"
"But | will not pass it, sir. If
am poor, thank God, am honest, and
will not wrong another, even when
am wronged myself"
"What spirit spoke there p laugh
ingly exclaimed Mr.. Stimson to by
starder, as with firm step, though a
despairing heart, the injured woman
quilted the shop, leaving the worth
less piece on the counter.
"a noble spirit" was the answer
81 can admire uprightness in another
even If | am not overcareful myself
You were hard upon her Stimson. -
The loss was more to her than il
would have been to you"
There would be no end to impo.
sition if | did not protect myself"
perhaps So" was the careless re-
ply, and at the same minute the speak
er took up the counterfeit quarter.
A slight mark attracted his atten
tion, and with a sudden exclamation
he hastily left the shop.
81 wish knew which way the wo
man went," he muttered, as he stood
in the open air and looked eagerly
around.
81 know that quarter well. | sci
my private mark upon it the day thai
the omnibus driver passed it upon me
| had some curiosity to see whether
it wouldever comeinto my hand again
Truman was right, after all. There;
no telling where these things viii
stop. | am sorry for that poor wo
man. She has the right stuff in her
| am sure"
At this moment he saw the obiec
of his search standing near a lamp
post, at short distance from him.
THAT must be the woman-wha
can she 0e doing there ?" he exclaim
ed, as with hasty steps, he walkec
towards her.
"Why do you stand in the night air
good woman ?"
She started as if waking from {
dream at the sound of his voice, an(
drawing her tattered shawl arounC
her, moved quickly away. Unobserv
ed, he still kept sight of her. At th,
door Of the grocery, she paused. Fo
a moment she stood irresolute. A
length she entered, and her compan
ion followed and stood beside her a
the counter.
"Mr. Stimson will not exchange tn,
money for me, , she said, timidly, "bu
If you would be so kind as to let N,
have the little bundle and trust M
for a day or two"
Cant do it, good woman. Sorr
for you, but we 90 in for cash. n
credit given"
"If | could only have the lemon,
she murmured, but there was no en-
couragement in the countenance O
the man she addressed, and sadly sh
turned away.
1T is SO hard to disappoint poo
, Ella" she said, as she wiped the tear
from her eyes, and slowly turned tow
ard her home. 81 could bear all tn
rest. But thank God, | have wronge
no one. | will trust in him. He wi
provide"
! At this moment a hand was laid W
|, on her shoulder, and her little parce
was pressed before her.
"Here is what you purchased goo
woman, and here is another quartz
for you-an honest one, | believe"
"God bless you, sir, whoever yo
= may be, was the reply; aud the
. with a sudden burst of feeling, th
grateful woman added:
40, my poor Ella. She will y,
have her lemonade. Excuse me, 81
but | toiled so many weary hours t
procure these lemons and the suga
for my sick child, and then TO be di
! appointed after all. 1t almost broB
. my heart
. Here is something to buy Ell
some more lemons" said the your
man, slipping another piece of none
- into her hand.
\ And with a kind good evening,
walked away, well satisfied with Il
- little incident which had occurre
:: and with a secret resolution if anot
= er counterfeit came in his way to a
a andon his motto of keep it moving
and remember that no "one cou
know where it would STOP"