The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-11-27
ONLY 4 CHILD.

OF all DOsr men the most to be pltled
is the poor rich man. The man in alb
solute poverty can be helped but for
the man who is poo1, with his cof-
fers full of gold, there is no earthly
help-none, unless something can get
down into his heart and open the way
for the incoming of sunlight and
warmth. Such n transformation L once
knew, and l will tell you how it was
wrought. 1t was done by only little
child.
Rufus Grote was really and truly a
miser, though he had probably never
acknowledged that fact to himself. At
the nge of sixty, he lived in close,
small, shabby house, in a narrow street,
though where the streets were broad he
owned whole row, the rental of which
Welded what might have been munifi-
cent income to any man.
In early life Rufus Grote had been
disappointed, so while yet young
man, he had shut himself .p within
his shell, and through all the years OF
his manhood he had neither asked nor
given love or friendship. He took his
usance, even to the pound of flesh, if it
was due him by the bond, and he was
az ready to discharge all bonded obliga'
tions.
When people who knew Rufus Grote
wished to point to q man without
heart they pointed to him. They de-
clared that he loved no human being
not even himself. That he did not love
himself was evident to them from the
fact that he gave to himself not a single
comfort of life which he could avoid
giving, and at the same time live.
One evening, just at dusk, coach
stopped at Rufus Grote's door, and n
lady dressed in black, and accompanied
by child, alighted therefrom, and
piled the rusty iron knocker.
The miser answered the summons,
and demanded to know the applicants
business.
"Uncle Rufus" said the woman, 81
am Mary Sandford, and thisis my child.
Will you give me shelter until l can find
work ?"
Mary Sandford was the only daughter
of Rufus Grote's dead sister. He had
heard of her husbands death, and he
had shudderingly asked himself more
than onse if it might not be possible
that his widowed niece would call upon
him for assistance. And now that the
dreaded blow had fallen what was he to
do? Had he followed the first impuls-
es he would have turned the woman and
child away with word. but that would
have been inhuman. He was caught il
a trap. He had to open his door wider,
and let them in. And when they We're
in, he was forced in common decency,
to go out and buy loaf of bread and
some cheese.
Mary Sandford was over thirty.fve-
n slight, pale faced, pretty woman, and
what of beauty she possessed was due
more to the reflex action upon her face
and manner of her native goddess than
to any outward form of feature.
Her child-a girl of nine years-was
called Flora. She was plump, dimpled,
sunny haired, and sunny-faced child,
with the light of tender, loving heart
sparkling in every feature. She was
really and truly thing of beauty, and
a perfect Joy.
After eating the bread and cheese,
and drinking cold water with it,
Mary SandfOrd told to Rufus Grote
the story of her husbands aeath-how
he had suffered long, and howhe hadleft
her in destitution.
"But," she concluded, as she saw
cloud upon her uncle's face, &c am not
come 10 be burden 1pon you. Mrs.
Maynard will be in town in few days,
and will give me work.
"Ugh What kind of work ?" grunt'
ed Rufus.
~ shall keep house for her."
/, Later in the evening, by the dim
light of q single tallow candle, little
Flora crept to the old mans side, and
climbed up into his lap. For a moment
lie had thought of putting her away, as
he would have to put away an insinu-
ating cat, but he did not do it. SO she
kept on until she had both hands upon
his shoulders.
&" You are my Uncle Rufus" she
said, with quivering, eager smile.
Z" I suppose so, answered the man,
forcing out the reluctant words.
81 haven't got n papa any more.
Mayn't kiss you before go to bed?"'
The little warm arms were around his
neck, and the kiss was upon his cheek
The child waited q moment as though
for kiss in return, but she did not get
it, and she slipped down and went with
her mother to the little dark room
where Rufus Grote had given up to
their use his own hard, poor bed.
For himself, the hsst had planned to