, 1872-08-29
What was Done in Six Days.


py youth and her present deSolation.-
The father and mo her who had SO ten
derly cherished her, were sleeping III
the grave; the competence they had left
her had vanished like vapor in an un
fortunate investment; and after that,
had fallen the heaviest stroke OF all.
Her husband, a brave and noble-hearted
sea-captain, had died in foreign land.
and left her with an embarras ssed home
stead and two little boys to feed, and
clothe, and educate with her own weak
hands.
Tears fell on the white hands that lay
folded so helplessly on her lap, as she
thought of all her early friends with
whom she had played ia childhood
They were nll prosperous and happy.
| Three of them lived beside her; and the
contrast b tween their lot and hers ap-
peared still darker. She began to lmag
Inc that she was forgotten or sighted
by them, and perhaps forsaken OF God
also.
She did not know that the blue eyes
of one friend were often red with tears
for her; or that other eyes, with yet
stronger sympathy, were kept wakeful
the long night with plans for her; and
that her third friend was pleading with
careless. money-loving husband, day
and night, moi to foreclose the mortgage
on her home.
She saw the clouds that gathered
about her prospects, brit she did not see
the sun beam that was almost ready to
dispel them.
The twilight grew deeper. and the
cold north wind moaned more wildly
without, when suddenly the door burst
open, and her boys rushed in. rosy from
the pond where big boys had been teach
ing them to skate.
Unwinding the warm red tippets from
their necks. and pulling the mittens
from their benumbed hands, they began.
both at once, telling her of their great
success, and the kindness of the big
| fellows"
When the light of the fire fell on
the mothers face, Charley saw traces
of her tears, and going up to her, press
ed her burning cheeks with his little
cold hands, and dskee;, tenderly:
"'What ails you, mother ? were you
too lonely when We were out so lute ?"
No my dear, replied the lady, ''but
l have heavy care on my heart tonight,
and could not help crying
"What is it, mother ? can 1 help you
any % asked the brave little fellow.
mo, my dear. not in this trouble;
but as you grow older you can help me
a great deal. Imean by-and-by to throw
off all care and lean on you-tbat's
when my hait gets gray, and you are a
man, you know dear.
81 wish was man now," cried the
boy, stretching himself to his full height
as if to anticipate the time. "But what
made you cry, mother?"
''Charley you know there's small
mortgage on this place, which had
hoped to meet. But can't do it, and
fear we shall lose our home. If l
could keep that we could live, with great
prudence.
81 think we can do it, some way,
mother, DEAR" said Charley, passing
one little arm tenderly round her neck.
But, my dear, it's nearly thousand
dollars, and there are only six days left
to raise it in
"Sir days." cried the boy, as his eyes
frightened with hope. "Why, that's
a long time to do it in ! Only think
what God did in six days, mother ? He
made a whole world, and guess he can
make that little bit of money in the
same time ="
al k,aoao He can, Charley, my darling
boy; and if He oes not see best to do
it, and we have to leave our home, will
thank Him that He has left me my boys.
I can bear any poverty or cares with
you to comfort me. my brave boy; will
trust the God who made whole world
in six days, and believe that He will do
what is best for us in this matter.
The evening the thre, early f.iends Of
this widow were sitting together at tea
with their husbands, talking Of her.
The gentleman who held the mortgage
which was to be paid in six days, held
tightly all he owned.
Suppose" said one Of the others.
we just divide the thousand among us,
and let the family keep their hcme ?"
The owner of the mortgage looked up
and STATED.
"What gire her the thousand dollars
outright ?' he asked.
"Yes, why not ? God has spared us
to our families. who might have been
as she is tonight"
After moments pause the creditor
replisd.
"Well. that plan never entered my
head while I've been wondering how
she would pay it It's an awful sum to
give away, but declare III give up one