The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-01-03

CuI me suOTt at once. Sn6 Dau no
change" she Sid; aand, moreover, it
was a rule of hers never to pay for part
of job"
l hurried hack to Charlie with an
aching heart, and found him moaning
with pain, the hour for his medicine
long past, and the, prescription in my
pocket. In desperation, rushed to the
bureau, and drew out my quaint little
iewelcase. II contained some trifling
articles brooch that belonged to my
mother, and a few other trinkets. Sc.
lected two, and hurried out again, down
the snowy street, to the one jewelry
es.absishnaent of which the little sea.
side village boasted. 1t wss a hard
task to prevail upon the dealer TO pur.
chase my trinkets, and when at last he
he consented, he offered me few pal
try shillings, which l was forced to ac-
cept.
Charles medicine was purchased, but
the few dimes that were left were barely
sufficient to obtain small modicum of
ccal for the morrow; and where was
the chicken for Charles broth to come
from?
Ipaused in the snowy street, with the
glittering winter stars above my head,
and the brilliant show windows fiaunt-
ing on each side. Just then q merry
ch me o. bells clashed upon the frosty
air, and for the first time, remembered
that it was New Years Eve.
A pain as sharp as death pierced my
heart, as stood there, thinking of my
far away friends, and wondering what
should do. A grocer's shop, brilliantly
lighted, stood just across the street. /
flew over the slippery aag-stones, and
entered. The grocer hurried forward,
all smiles and bows.
"Would he let HE have a chicken
and bottle of wine?" asked, with my
heart in my mouth. "My husband was
i'll; and-and-would he be good enough
to trust me till next week?'
His countenance fell on the instant.
He hesitAted, and stammered, "He was
extremely sorry," he laid, "but it wss
rule of his never to credit strangers"
"John, Johu, hats her." spoke q
woman's voice at my elbow at that in
slant.
turned, but the speaker had avertcd
hCi 'dCe, ouO ouiy %" q Z sSh'f eehi " al
man, with bronzed face. and the kind.
liest brown eyes had ever beheld.
Blinded by tears, l hurried away
home to poor Charlie and the babies.
l gave Charlie his medicine. and hushed
the little hungry mouths with q scant
enough morsel of milk and bread, and
then tucked the children away in their
bed. Charlie fell into doze, and l sat
down before the smouldering embers, to
indulge in the sole comfort that re
manned to me, of hearty cry.
But l had scarcely begun, when l
heard the crunch OF footsteps in the
snow, and directly after, q rap at the
door. | opened it with bounding
heart, hoping that some good neighbor
had come with help. The tall man,
with the bronzed face and kindly eyes
Il knew him on the instant-stood on
the STEPS with huge hamper on his
brawny shoulders. He set it down at
my feet and extended his hand.
"We've been hunting you the last two
days, madam" he began, abruptly, his
kind eyes flashing with happiness; "and
glad enough we are to 6nd you. You
done me good turn when you kept my
boy out of prison; and the lad was in
nocent of the charge, too, I'm proud to
tell you that. Bronton's found out who
stole his money; and my wife couldn't
rest, and we couldn't lind you nohow,
till we CHANGED upon you at the grocer's
to night, and-well, we thought
And he broke down, stammering and
embarrassed, and stepping back, gave
place to his wife, who stood behind
him
ave thought" she said, as she rais'd
the cover from the hamper, "we'd bring
you some little things for New Years.
You won't refuse 10 take 'em / know
and may the good God forever bless you
for what you've done for me! Oh, mad
ami and she threw her arms about my
neck, while the tears rained down her
face, 81 should a. gone mad il they had
taken my boy from me that night; but
you saved him and me, while your own
was suffering. ] never was go happy in
my life, as l was when we found you to-
night. Johns come home a rich man
this time; he's had better than good
luck, and we're able to help you. I've
brought little of everything, and some
New Years pretties for the babies. /
knew you had 'em; no heart but
mothers could a. felt or me in my
trouble, as yours did; and now I'll help
you to put 'em by, while John looks in
the sick.roem; he's q capital nurse,
John is. But first take this-don't look
at it now-slip it in your bosom till by.
and by, and let's get the things into the
larder."
did as she babe me, slipping the lit
tie parcel into my bosom, and while the
sailor laid of hat and coat, and crossed
over into the room where Charlie lay,
we took out and arranged the bountiful
supplies they had brought-bottles Of
wine, and chickens, and rounds of beef,
and golden rolls of butter, and tea and
white bread, and cakes, and toys and
dolls that would set my babies wild with
delight.
The New Years dawn was breaking,
when they left me. Charlie slept qui.
etly, his shattered arm newly bandaged
by the sailors skillful hand, and the
babies were beginning to stir and fiutter
like restless birds in their nest.
Ireplenished the fire, and while the
fragrant coffee boiled, and the chicken
Drowned, sat down, end drew the lit
tie package from my bosom.
Twenty bills, Of five dollars each,
crisp, and fresh, and new-one hHn.
dred dollars, all my own. My little gift
of mercy had brought me glorious in.
tcrest for the New Year.
THIS item is from late San Francisco