South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-08-11
What Five Dollars Paid.

WuO lived In the next square
Tell Mr., Grant that | will settle this
soon. 1t isn't convenient to-day
The boy retired.
Now, Mr.. Herriot had u fve-dollar bill
in his pocket, but he felt as if be couldn't
part with it. He didn't like to be entirely
out of money. So, acting from this impulse,
be had sent the boy away. Very still sat
Mr. Herriot for the next five minutes Yet
his thoughts were busy. lie was not alto
gether satisfied with himself. The shoe
maker was poor man, and needed his mo-
ney as soon as earned. He was not unad-
vised of the fact
Il almost wish | had sent the five dollars
said Mr.. Herriot at length, half audibly.
'He'wants it worse than l do.
He unused still further
Tho fact is he at length exclaimed.
starting up, SITS Grants money, and not
mino; and what is more, he shall have it,
80 saying, Herriot took up his hat AID
left the Office.
did you get the money, Charles p said
Grant, as the boy entered the shop. There
was good deal of earnestncss in tue shoe
makers tones
No, sir replied the lad
Didn't get the money?
mo, sir
Wasn't Mr.. IIcrriot in ?
yes, sir; but he said it was not conve
nient today
'Oh, dear, I'm sorry = came from the
shoemaker In depressed voice.
a woman was sitting in Grants shop
when the boy came in; she had now arisen
and was leaning on the counter look of
disappointment was in her face.
'lt can't be helped, Mrs. Lee, said Grant,
Il was sure of getting the money from him.
lie never disappointed me before Call in
Tomorrow and I'll try aud have it for you.
The woman looked troubled as we'll as
disappointed. Slowly she turned away,
and left the shop. a few minutes after
her departure llcrriot camo ir, and after
some words of apology paid the bill.
Run and get this bill changed said the
shoemaker to bis boy, the moment his Gus
toner had departed.
Now said he, as soon ns the chance
was placed in his hands, take two dollars
to Mrs. Lee, and thrco to Mr. Weaver. n
cross the street. Tell Mr. Weaver that |
am obliged to him for having loaned it to
me this morning, aud sorry that hadn't
as much IN the house when he sent for it
an hour ago
Il wish had it, Mrs. Elelch, but as
sure you have not said Mr. Weaver. tho
tailor. Il paid out the last dollar lust be-
fore you came in. But call in tomorrow
and you shall have the money to certainty.
'But what am | to do to-day? I have
not cent to bless myself with, and owe
so much at the grocer's where | deal that
he won't trust me for anything more
The tailor looked troubled, and the wo
man fingered. Just at this moment the
shoemakcr's boy entered
Here arc three dollars Mr.. Grant Dor
rowed of you this morning. said the lad
lie says he's sorry he hadn't the money
when you sent for it a while ago
How the faces of both the tailor and the
needl1woman frightened instantly as if a
CLEAN of sunshine had penetrated the room
Here is just the money owe you said
the former, in a cheerful voice, and he han
ded the W man the three dollars he had re-
ccived. A moment after he was alone, but
with the glad face of the poor woman whose
need be had been able to supply distinct
before him.
OF tho thrco dollars received by the nee
dIowoman, two went to the grocer on ac-
count Of her debt to him half was paid to
an old needy colored woman who had earn
ed 1t by scrubbiug, aud who was waiting for
Mrs. Weaver's return from the tailor's to
got her dues, and thus be able to provide an
evenings aud mornings meal for herself
and children. The other half dollar was
paid to the baker WHOM he called toward
evening TO leave the accustomed loaf
Thus, tho poor nccdIcwoman had been able
to discharge four debts, anil at tho same
time rc-cstab.ish her credit with the grocer
and baker, from whom came the largest
portion OF food consumed in her little family.
And now let Us foll5w Mrs. Lee. On
her arrival at home, empty handed, from
tue shoemaker, who owed Der two dollars
for work, she found a young girl, in whose
pale face were marks Of suffering and care,
awaiting her return.
The girls countcnanco Frightened as she
came IN, but there was no answering bright.
ness IN tho countcuance Of Mrs Lee, who
Immediately said, u am sorry, Harriet, but
Mr. Grant put me off until tomorrow. He
said be hadn't dollar in the house.
The girls disappointment was very great,
for the smile she had forced into life In
siantly faded, and was succeeded by look
Of deep distress.
DO you want tho money worry badly p
asked Mrs. Lee, in low, half chokod voice,
for the sudden change IN the girls manner
had affected her
OBJ yes, ma'am, very BADLY I laf,
Mary wrapped up in my thick shaw, aud
blanket wound all around her feet to keen