South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-03-10
What do you mean by queer p


of Us, Katie, Lille Bonfeld and were
walking around the square at recess time.
when Uncle Hiram came along, and taking
out three bright ten cent pieces, be said,
/ here's dime for each of you girls 60 buy
sugar pums.' Lille and | screamed out,
and were starting away for the candy shop in
an instant; but Katie stood still, with her
share of the money in her hand. Come
along | cried. She didn't move, but
looked strange and serious. 'Aiu't you
| going to buy candy with it 2 asked. Then
she shook her head graveiy and putting the
dime in her pocket, saying Il don't think
she meant me to hear the words,) It's for
/ fathers honor; and leaving us she went
back into the schoolroom. What did she
mean by that, mothery Oh, sho is so
strange
Her mother is very poor, you know, re-
Piled Mrs. Sterling, laying up katie's sin
! gular remark to be POWDERED over.
She must be-, said Flora, 'for Katie has
worn the same frock to school every day
/ for almost three months
| Mr.. Sterling, who did not let single
word escape him, was far from feeling as
comfortable under the prospect of getting
back the money he had loaned Mr.. Grang-
err, as he had felt an hour before. lie
understood the meaning of Hates remark
It's for fathers honor the truth flash
ed at once through his mind.
There was another period of three mouths,
and Mrs. Granger called again upon Mr..
Sterling, and gave him twenty-five dollars
more The pale, thin face made strong
impression on him. 1t troubled him to
take the money from her small fingers, in
which the blue veins shOne through the
transparent skin, as it was counted out
He wished she had sent the money instead
of calling. 1t was on his lips to remark,
DO not trouble or pinch yourself faster than
is convenient, Mrs. Granger but cupidity
whispered that she mi ght take advantage of
his considerable kindness, and so he kept ST.
lent
NO, dear, It's for fathers honor; I can't
spend it.
Mr. Sterling was passing a fruit shop,
whetc two children were looking in at the
window, when this sentence struck his ears.
AN apple won't cost but penny, Katie;
and | want one so badly answered the
younger of the two children, little girl
not. over Eve years Of age.
Come away, Maggie, said the other,
/ drawing her sister back from the window,
Don't look at them any morc-dont think
about them
But | can't help thinking about them,
/ sister Katie pleaded the child.
1t was more than Mr. Sterling could
stand. Every want of bis own children
was supplied. Hc Dought fruit by tho barrel.
And here was little child pleading for an
apple, which cost only cent. but the
apple was denied, because the penny must
be saved to make good the dead fathers
honor. Who held that honor in pledge
| Who took the sum total Of these pennies,
saved by the sefjenial Of little children,
and added them to his already bri mining
Golfers \ feeling Of shame burned the
checks Of Mr. Sterling.
/ Here, little ones be called, as the two
children went slowly away from the fruit
shop window. He was touched with The
sober look on their sweet young faces as
( they turned at bis invitation.
Come 10, and III get you some apples,
he said
Katie held back, but Maggie drew out
her hand, eager to accept the offer, for she
was longing for the fruit.
Come, repeated Mr.. Sterling, speaking
very kindly
The children then followed him into the
shop, and he filed their aprons with apples
and oranges. Their thankful eyes and hap
py faces were 10 his memory all day THIS
was his reward aud IL was sweet.
Three months after and again Mr. Ster-
ling had visit from the pale young widow.
This time sbe had only twenty dollars IL
was all she bad been able % save but she
made no excuse and offered no complains.
Mr. Sterling took the money and count
ed 20 "a hasiy way. The touch thereof
vas pleasant 70 bis Eugars, for be loved
money. But the vision If ths child faces
wa. before DIS eyes, aud ihe sound of plead
ing child voices iu bis ears THROUGH over
taxing toll and the denial Of herself aud
little ones, tho poor widow had gathered
tha small sum- aud was now paving 10 into
bis hands, 90 make good the honorable CON
tract If Der dead husband. lie hesifafs3
ruiilIng, 10 half absent way, the edpss If The
little pile Of bills shat lay under bis fingers
One thing was clear To- him-he would new.
90 take any more from the widow. The
balance Of The debt must be forgiven. Pe5-
pie would get 20 understand che widow
case they would ask who was Che oxaeting
creditor! The thought affected BIN uu-
pleasantly.
Slowly, as one ia whose mind debate
sou went ON Mr.. Sterling took from Dis
desk a large pocket-book, and selected from
one oi the compartments Che note on which
Mrs Granger bad made three payments
I'r some moments be held DO DO bis hands,
Il-kLnR 40 lna nca ihnrn.f III. -.-r u...