The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-02-14

}. ihe city. u.en there are benevolent -
q cietlss a every corner almost Why. it q
Z 0Hly lsst week, ihAi ! vas called upon
sad paid one hundred dollars toward
buys8g eosl and provisions for Jh'
i NEEDY"
That waa vel replied Mr., Ashley
bot does our duly rest bere3 Ought W,
nol to seek cat those who are too proud
90 make their wants known, while few
timely presents, would be very socepta.
bic, and received With gratitude"
Yes, replied her father. II have no
doubt iAat there are great many persons
who would rather suffer than apply to
any society for relief
Yet, ] presume aid Nrs. Ashley.
that they would thankfully receive Il ton
Of coal, barrel Of -four, 4 warm garment,
a pair Of blankets or warm stockings and
shoes foT their children"
Yes indeed, replied Mr.. Ashley.
plenty Of such people could be found, ]
have no doubt, II one would only take the
trouble 70 seek them
The next morning was cold and blus-
teriug and as Mr., Ashley wended bis way
to his counung-room the words Of his lit
lie Alice came repeatedly to hls mind,
Remembers the poor whispered the
wind.
lie was seated At bis desk pouring over
his ledger, when timid voice asked:
by an apple, sirf'
lie looked at the speaker, a small bright
eyed boy about eight years old.
Yes, my lad, III take a couple, >" at
the same time handing him quarter of
dollar.
II can't change it sir, ," replied the boy.
/ "Oh, never mind the change, said Mr..
Ashley, "What i, your naue, my boy ?"
''John Carman, sir, ;" he replied.
John Carman" said Mr.. Ashley,
/ placing his hand on his forehead as if he
was thinking. "Was your father a porter
in this store few years ago." he asked
the boy,
81 don't know, sir " said the boy, "four
years ago he worked for Mr.. Ashley;
mother said SO this morning"
"les, be must be the man." said Mr..
Ashley. "Well, how are YOU all at home
this cold weather."
"Oh, mother is getting better aud James
begins to sit up"
"lIas your mother been sicky" asked !
Mr.. Ashley, quite interested
"les sir, mother has had the fever, and
james too
Mr.. Ashley looked at the boy, saw that |
he was thinly clad, and after ascertaining
where he lived, gave him a five dollar bill
and told him TO go home, and not try to
sell any more apples on such bitter cold
day.
The boy murmured his thanks and then
gladly returned home, first stopping at a
grocery store to buy some bread.
Couldn't You sell your apples, John
nie2" asked the sick woman as he came in.
"Oh, mother, such stroke of luck, )" he
said, displaying the bread and the money,
as soon as his cold fingers could find their
way to his pocket. "Mr. Ashley, mother,
gave me five dollars and told me to 90 |
home and not try to sell apples on such a
cold day"
Tears came in the poor woman's eyes.
God bless him." she said. "Now we
will have some coal, and Jamie shall have
something that he can eat"
After dinner Mr.. Ashley took pet Alice
on his knee and told her about the little
apple boy. "lIere is his number, and
James shall take you and mother in the
sleigh, and 90 and see If they need any
thing. BE sure and take baskettul with
you for the poor woman has been sick"
Mrs. Ashley needed no urging, and she
filled large basket with food and deliea-
cies for the sick woman.
Alice jumped about helping her moth
er all she could, rejoicing quite as much
with the idea Of assisting those in need rs
with the prospect Of a sleigh-ride.
James, the coachman, found the mum
Der and taking the basket went on before
them. There's the door ma 'am, he said
aud knocking, they heard voice say,
Come in"
Mrs. Ashley and Alice entered, follow
ed by James.
They found Mrs. Carman in bed while
her son was sitting near the stove looking
very pale and wan.
Mrs. Ashley made herself known to
Mrs. Carman and kindly expressed her
regrets at finding her so III.
'Im much better now, tho poor wo-
man replied, II gain little every day and
hope / shall soon sit up"
Who takes care Of your asked Mrs..
Ashley.
''Johny aud Mary do what they can,
and Mr.. O'Brlen comes In once ia a
while; she lives on the next floor"
Mrs. Ashley looked at Mary, she was a
bright little girl, not more than Fix wears
Of age.
Rather young for nurse, she said
'you must allow me to help you 30 say
ing she took from the basket can Of
broth which was soon ready for the sick
boy and bis mother.
With the help Of Alice the bed was
made aud Mrs. Ashley had the satisfac-
t0n Of seeing them look quite comfort
ablc; indeed, Mr.. Cartnau told Alice
that She felt almost well.
The uert aay Mrs A.hley .tttt ,tBarI