The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-10-18
seen physician's house on the way
he ran with all his speed to summon

seen physician's house on the way
he ran with all his speed to summon
him.
The DIR. followed him Immediately
and while he was administering to tn,
poor sufferer, Clarence had time to OBJ
serve the scene around him. Wha
misery was there never had he seer
or conceived any thing of the kind be
fore. The poor mother had tOiIed un.
TIL over-exertion and starvation bal
brought her to present state. The
children were thin and meagre, only
half clad and no fire upon the hearth
When they saw his friendly, earnest
face-for children understand we'll 9
look or tone of sympathy-they gather
ed around him.
"Are you hungry" he asked in 9
low voice.
Yes, dreadful hungry"
And cold too, he said aud with
q heart bleeding at the sight of such
destitution and misery, he hurried to
restaurant" near by. His gold
piece was now in requisition. Thank
God for its possession!
Hot rolls and hot coffee in abun-
dance, soon drew the little famished
creatures to corner of the hovel, where
they satisfied their hunger and hushed
their cries.
For full hour the sgony of the poor
mother lasted then she lay motion
less from utter exaustion, and finally
fell into profound sumber. A por-
ton OF the gold piece yet remained,
and Clarence rendered to the doctor
the usual fee. A smile stole over the
face of the wealthy DIR. s., flor it
so happened that one of the first physi-
clans of the city had, by chance, been
summoned, but there was a tear ia his
eye, as he looked at him earnestly.
God bless you! my noble little fel-
low," and he laid his hand upon his
head. "No, keep your money for
other good deeds. But tell noe, who
are you.
Clarence looked up at him ard smiled
after q moments pause, "Only my
fathers son, sir. -
"Well, well; you choose to do yonr
good deeds under veil, l see any
father should b- proud of such a son.
1 never saw you before; but 1 think
that we shall meet again. You have q
heart, my boy, too large for that man
ly little Frame" He laid his hand
kindly upon his head; snook him
warmly by the hand, and disappeared.
Clarence went also, but retured in an
hour, bringing with him q pair of new
shoes for each of the two eldest chill
dren. These exhausted the money he
then had with him but his "charity-
box was at home and on that fund
he determined to draw, in behalf of the
sufferers. While celebrating on what
they needed most, his good intentions
were forestalled by the appearance of
the doctors carriage at the door, and
the doctor himself, springing out hasti-
iy, took from it numerous packages of
provisions. &C., and ample
for their present wants.
Here, said he, to the eldest girl, q
child of six years, "dress your brothers
and sisters in these clothes, and see if
your little hands cannot make the
room comfortable.
The chi DIS eyes frightened, for food
had strengthened, and his cheerful
tone encouraged her. She was at once
busily employed. He smiled cordial-
ly as he discovered Clarence, and said
II told you that we should meet
again."
He FASTENED away to other engage
but a supply of fuel came by
his orders Immediately after, and Clar-
ence remained to aid the helpless chill
dren nor did he leave them, until he
saw them warmed and comfortable.
The doctor visited the family daily
until the poor and grateful widow was
perfectly restored, and able to again to
take care of her little ones then his
wife provided employment for her, and
she required no farther assistance. One
more visit revealed all this to Clarence;
hut he and the doctor never met again.
4
Four weeks passed. Clarence's good
deed was still his own secret, when his
father encountered DR.. s..
"Mr. Mitchell, what a noble speci-
men of humanity you have in that
young son of yours. 1 congratulate
you on being his father"
Which one, doctor""
Why the dark hair, and the dark
eyes. He does not tell heis name.
"WhaG do you mean, doctor? /
hope he is not ashamed to own it.
Then he has not told you of his re-
cent encounter with me?"
mot q word. /"
as it possible? Let me tell ycu,
you have reason to be proud of that
boy; he is noble little fellow, and
God will place him where be ought tn
be, in the ranks of true greatness.
Then he related to Mr.. Mitchell every
of that day, connected
with Clarence, delicately withholding
bis own part in the proceedings, which
did not, however, remain long q secret.
With full heart, overlooking with
to God for such q son,
Mr.. Mitchell returned to his home that
night, and related all to his wife. AS
soon as Clarence came in, he took him
by the hand. My son, know the
history of twenty-shilling piece"
Clarence looked I'D in wonder. "Dr.
s. is an old fIiend, though we do
not meet often. He would not rest
till he had traced you out; and now,
my boy, receive you fathers blessing.
He bent down and kissed his forehead;
then he led him to his mother.
I' There, said he, stake to your heart
the noblest son that God ever gave to q
take him, and say, God bless
him?n
She did fold him to her heart in ST.
lence; the mothers feelings were too
deep for words. Edward came in.
u My son, you have dohe well in the
purchase of your Bible; your brother
has done well in the practice of its pre-
cepts. Emulate his noble example.
| am proud of BOTH"
Mrs. Mitchell withdrew with Ed
ward into the library, and there related
to him the story. Scarcely had she
it; when he rushed back and
threw himself. in tears, upon bis BROTH
er's neck. "Oh, Clarence! must be
good, like you. /"
Clarence wept. "Why it is but little
that 1 have done," he said !; bad
everything that | required; it was no
sacrifice.
"But you lost the skating party,
Clarence, AID 1 know that you want
I'd new Iiding-whip, you said so,
when father was giving us lessons, on
POney, in the vacation"
"NO matter for that said Clar-
ence.
"My boy, "said his father, "why
lid you keep it 30 secret? Did you not
suppose that We would all approve and
it?
Yes, father, but remembered what
you read to us that morning in the les
,on for the day! Take heed that ye
do not your aims before men, to be
seen Of them; otherwise, ye have no
reward of your Father which is in
heaven ~