Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-21
Stlctt storp.
EYES OPEN.

Our Minister said in his sermon, last
evening" said Mrs. Beach, the wife of n
prosperous wholesale dry goods merchant
ON Market street, rs she busted her mar
ble on Monday morning, that he who
wanted 10 be good, must be on constant
lookout for opportunities; that God does
not find work. and bring it ready and pre-
pared to our hands; but He spreads the
work before US, and we are 10 walk
through it as Christ and the apostles did.
with eyes open, looking for the sick and
suffering, the poor and oppressed"
Now | am certain" continued the
lady, as she replaced marble Diana IN
the centre OF the mantle, Il should like
10 do some good every day-one feels so
much better when they 90 forest at night
and III just keep my eyes open to-day
and see if come across any opportunities
that under any ordinary circumstances 1
should let slip"
Half AN hour later Mrs. Beach was in
the nursery with the washerwoman who
had come for the clothes.
II wish, Mrs. Simms," said she, rs she
heaped the soilcd linen into the basket,
that you would get Tommy's aprons
sor me by Wednesday we are going ont
Of town to remain until Saturday, and |
shall want good supply on hand tor
such careless little scamp rs he is"
"well. I'll try ma'am." said the wash
erwoman. 1--WE got behindhand good
deal since Sammy got the whooping
cough; but now he is better, | must try
TO make up for lost time"
Has he the whooping cough7 Poor lit
tie fellow How old is he' questioned the
lady.
He was three last April, ma'am.'.
"And Tom is four" unused the lady.
look here, Mrs Simms. won't you
Just open that draw of the bureau, and
take ont four green,worsted dres sses in
the corner? Toms outgrown them, yon
see, since last winter. but they're almost
As good as new Now. il yon want them
for little Sammy. they'll DO nicely with.
out much altering. think"
"Want them, Mrs. Beach" answered
the washerwoman, with tears starting in
TO her dim eyes, Il haven't any words to
thank You, or to tell YOU what treasure
they'll be. Why they will keep the little
fellow as warm as toast all winter"
well, I'll place them on the top of the
clothes said the lady smiling to herself
as she thought, My eyes have been
open once to-day"
Not long afterwards Mrs. Beach was
on her way to market, Qor she was
notable housekeeper,) when she met
boy who had lived a short time in her
family the year before, to do some er.
rands, wait OH the door, &c. He was a
blight, good-hearted, merry.laced boy,
who had been great fayOrite with the
family. and Mrs. Beach had become in.
terested in him; but this morning she
was in quite hurry, and would have
passed him with cordial but hasty,
How are you. Joseph, my boy? Do
come and see us had it not struck her
that Joseph's face did not bear its usual
happy expression. She paused as the
memory of last nights sermon flashed
through her mind, as she asked, "ls any
thing the matter with you, Joseph"
The boy looked up moment, with a
halfconfding expression, into the ladys
iaee. MIR. Anderson's moved ont OF
town, he said. pushing back his worn
but neatly brushed cap from his hair;
so I've lost my place. and little Mary's
sick; and that makes it very bad just
now"
$50 ii does said Mrs. Beach, her
sympathies warmly enlistedi but never
mind, Joseph; | remember only night
before last, my brother said he would
want new errand boy, ina few days,
70, his store, and he will give good one
two dollars a week. Now I'll see him
to-day, and get the situation for you' ii
you like
The BOYS white face frightened. "Oh
| should be so glad of it, Mrs. Beach"
"And see here. Joseph, / am going
to market. and perhaps can find some
thing nice for little Mary" The lady