Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-11-12
The Last Dollar.

He gave it to his wife with sigh, yet with
look of resignation.
at is our last dollar" he said, bat tie
Lord will provide"
The Rev. James Spring was minister in
the little mountain village of Thornville. lie
was poor, and his congregation poorer. Often
before he had been very near his last dollar,
but had never actually got to it till to-day.
$50 you've always been saying" sobbed
his wife " but what is to become Of US when
this is gone? They won't trust us any more
at the store, and your salary wont be due for
three weeks, even if you set it then. Why do
you stay here, when the people are so poor p
al have no other place to so to; no.money
to travel to it, if the Lord opens the way. Ny
work for the present is here. lie feedeth the
young ravens He will surely feed us"
a wish l had your faith, but haven't, and
it won't come to me- o! what shall We do ?"
and she wrung her hands despairingly. My
poor children"
"Once was young, and now | am old,
solen,nly said her husband, speaking in the
words of the psalmist. yet never have seen
the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging
bread"
As if an answer to this pious ejaculation,
there came a sudden knock at the door. All
the while the minister and his wife had been
talking, storm had been raging outside. On
opening the door, traveller, quite wet, enter
ed.
81 was coming through the forest from
Maryvile," he said, "and ventured to stop at
the first house saw. Ny horse is in the shed.
Do take too great liberty ?"
Not at ALL" answered the man of the
house. "We have but poor shelter, as you
see; there is gaod fire, at any rate.
For it was in the kitchen that this converse
ton rook place Indeed this humble house
boasted no parlor, and the kitchen was dining
room, drawing-room, living-room and all.
The stranger proved to be man of educa-
ton and intelligence, and, in conversation with
him, the minister forgot his troubles, and was
reminded of lis earlier and brighter days, when
intellectual companionship had not been the
rare thing it was now among these hills.
At last the storm abated and the stranger
arose TO go. His host accompanied him to
the gate, and watched him until he disappear
ed behind turn in the road.
"See here, James" said his wife, eagerly
when he returned to the house. found this
on the table, near where the gentleman sat"
1t was $50 greenback, wrapped hastily in
a bit of paper that looked as if it had been torn
from pocSetbook, aud on the inside Of the
paper was written the verse Of the Psalmist
which it now appeared the traveller had
overheard.
a thought he was writing the direction he
asked for" said the minister. "He means it
for US. Thanks be to the Lord Did not
say my dear, be would provide ?"
His wife burst into tears
"God forgive me" she said al will never
doubt again. The Lord surely sent this
stranger to our aid"
"And he will still provide, replied her hus-
band. Whatever my lot may be, here or
elsewhere, in Him trust
A month after, letter Of rare event, came
to the "Rev. James Spring" I: was as fol-
lows: REV. and dear sir. The church at Mary
vile has unanimously called you to its pastor
ate. The salary is fifteen hundred aud good
parsonage house. The letter concluded by say
ing, The writer of this first came to know you
by your hospitality to him few weeks ago
He overheard you in a moment Of great dis
tress, speak with such great faith, that he fees
you are just the person for this charge, and on
his recommendation this call has been made"
Maryvile was the county town, a rich and
thriving place in a broad and fertile valley, at
the foot of the hills. 1t was far filter sphcIe
Of labor for man of the ministers abilities,
than the wild village in the mountains.
So young man, as yet without a family,
took the missionary church among the hills,
and the Rev. James Spring accepted the call.
But he does not forget the past, and often,
when people show want Of faith, tells them the
story Of the Last Dollar.