Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-04-05

er had ne seen or COHCelN6u uAy-
thing of the kind before. The poor
mother had toiled until ever-exer-
ton and starvation had brought her
| to her 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 well
look or tone OF sympathy-they
gathered around him.
''Are you hungry9" he asked IN a
low voice.
'TYcs, dreadful hungry"
"And cold too" he said; and with
a 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 album
dance, soon drew the little famished
creatures to q corner of the hovel,
where they satisfied their hunger
and hushed their cries.
For full hour the agony of the
poor mother lasted; then. she lay
motionless from utter exhaustion,
and finally fell into a profound slum-
Der. A portion of the gold piece
vet remained, and Clarence rendered
| to the doctor the usual fee. A smile
stole over the face of the wealthy
DR.. s., (for it so happened that
one of the first physicians Of the
city had, by chance, been summons
ed, } but there was tear in his eye,
as he looked at him earnest tly.
"God bless youl my nobly little
| fellow.n and he laid his hand upon
his head. "No, keep your money
J for other good deeds. But tell me.
who are you"
/ Clarence looked up at him and
I smiled after moments pause,
4; "Only my fathers son, sir"
"Well, well; you choose to do your
good deeds under veil, 1 see; any
father should be proud of such a
son. Inever saw you before; but
( think that we shall meet again.
You have q heart, my boy, too large
for that manly little Frame" He
laid his hand kindly upon his head;
shook him warmly by the hand,
and disappeared.
Clarence went also, but returned
in an hour, bringing with him a
pair of new shoes for each of the
| two eldest children. These exhaust
ed 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 hastily, took from it numerous
packages of clothing, provisions,
&C., and ample for their present
wants.
"Here," said he, to the eldest girl,
child of six years, "dress your
brothers and sisters in these clothes,
and see if your little hands cannot
make the room comfortable"
The child's eyes frightened, for
food had strengthed, and his cheer
full tone encouraged her. She was
at once busily employed. He smiled
cordially as he discovered Clarence,
and said al told you that we should
meet agsin."
He fastened away to other en-
gagements; but supply Of fuel
came by his orders Immediately af-
ter, and Clarence remained to aid
the helpless children, nor did he
leave them, until he saw them
warmed and comfortable.
The doctor visited the family dai-
ly until the poor and grateful wild
ow was perfectly restored, and able
again to take .care of her little
ones; then his wife provided en-
ployment for her, and she required
no farther assistance. One more
visit revealed all this to Clarence:
, but he and the doctor never met
again.
Four weeks passed. . Clarence's
! good deed was still his own secret,
when his father encountered Dec.
tor s..
''Mr. Mitchell, what noble speci.
men of humanity you have in that
) young son of yours. congratu-
late you on being his father"
(which one, dOctoF?"
"Why the dark hair, and the dark
eyes. He does not tell his name"
''What do you mean, doctor? ]
, hope he is not ashamed to own it,
"Then he has net told you of his
recent encounter with me?"
"Not q word"
els it possible? Let me tell YOU
you have reason to be proud of thai
boy; he is noble little fellow, and
God will place him where he ought
, to be, in the ranks of true great.
ness" Then he related to Mr.
Mitchell every ciseumstance of thai
day, connected with Clarence, deli.
cately withholding his own part il
the proceedings, which did not how
: ever, remain long q secret
: With a full heart, overfowing
J with thankfulness to God for such {
| son, Mr.. Mithell returned to his
? home that night, and related all tC
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
g up in wonder. "Dr. s. is al
g old friend, though we do not meet
l often. he would not rest till he haC
: traced you out; and now, my boy
: receive your fathers blessing" HG
: bent down and kissed his forehead
e then he led him to his mother
1 "There," said he, "take to youl
i heart the noblest son that God eve
e gave to mother; take him, and say
l God bless him?D
S She did fold him 10 her heart il
t silence; the mothers feelings Wert
/ too deep for words Edward cam,
+ in. 'sMy son, YOU have done well il
r the purchase of your Bible; you
brother has done well in the practieu
!, of its precepts. Emulate his nOblr
o example. am proud of both"
e Mrs. Mitchell withdrew with Ed
= ward into the library, and there re
y lated to him the story. Scarcel,
u had she concluded it; when he rush
n ed back and threw himself in tears
b upon his brothers neck. "Oh
e Clearance! l must be good lik
d YOU"
Clarence Wept. "Why it is bu
, little that 1 have DONE" he said; .
II had everything that L required;
n was no sacrifice"
4, "But you lost the skating party
II Clarence, and l know that yo
lr wanted a new riding-whip, you sal
so, when father was giving US lei
lie sons on poney, in the vacation"