Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-06-15
The Yelled Mirror.


of its successor would be hailed by mer-
ry shouts and joyful gratulations, min
Cling with the merry chime of bells ring
ing out noisy welcome from church
towers and steeples.
Adam Hathaway, wealthy merchant,
sat in his counting room, striking bal
ance between his gains and losses for the
year which had nearly passed. From
the smile that lighted up his counte-
nance, as he drew near the end of his
task, it might safely be inferred that the
result proved satisfactory.
He at length threw down his pen, af-
ter footing up the last column, and ex-
claimed, joyfully:
"Five thousand dollars net gain In
one year. That viii do very well-very
well. indeed. If am as well prospered
in the year to come, it will indeed be a
Happy New Year. ,"
His meditations were interrupted by
a knock at the door. He opened the
door and saw standing before him a man
of ordinary appearance, bearing under
his arm something, the nature of which
he could not conjecture, wrapped up in
brown paper.
"Mr. Hathaway, 1 believe ?" was the
strangers salutation.
"1ou are correct"
"Perhaps, if not particularly engaged,
you will allow me few minutes con-
versation with you %
"Yes certainly" was the surprised
reply 'though l am at loss to con-
lecture what can have brought you here. "
You are wealthy man, Mr.. Hatha-
way, and every year increases your pos
sessions. May l ask what is your OBJ
ject in accumulating so much property ?'
This is very singular question, y
said the merchant, who began to enter
tain doubts as to his visitors sanity,
every singular. I suppose I am infu-
enced by the same motives that actuate
other men-the necessity of providing
for my physical wants and so contribu-
ting to my happiness -
''And this contents you? But your
gains are not all devoted to this purpose.
This last year, for example, the over
plus has amounted to five thousand dol
lars
II know not where you have gained
your information % said Nfr. Hathaway
in surprise. ."However, you are right. -
-.'And what do you intend to do with
this ?''
"You are somewhat free with your
questions, sir. However, [ have no OBJ
lection in answering you. | shall lay
it up
"For what purpose ? l need not tel
you that money, in itself, is of no value
1t is only the representative of value
Why then do you allow it to remain
idle %
"How else should l employ it ?
have comfortable house we'll furnished
should purchase one more expen
sive ? My table is well provided
should 1 live more luxuriously III,
wardrobe is well supplied-should
dress more expensively ?''
'.To these questions l answer No.
But it does not follow, because you hav
a good house, comfortable clothing an
a well-supplied table, that others ar
equally well-provided. Have you though
to give of your abundance to those VIII
are needy ; and thus to promote you
own happiness by advancing that of 9th
ers p
Il must confess that this is dut
which | have neglected. But there ar
alms-houses and benevolent societies
There cannot be much misery that es
eapes their notice." said Mr.. Hathaway
"You shall judge for yourself -
The stranger commenced unwappin
the package which he carried under hi
arm 1t was small mirror, with vel
hanging before it. He slowly withdre'
the veil, and said
''Look -
A change passed over the surface {
the mirror. Mr.. Hathaway, as he lool
ed at it, found that it reflected sma
room, scantity furnished, while a fair
fire fickered in the CRATE. A bed stoo
in one corner of the room, on which II
posed sick man. By the side of it S:
woman, with a thin shawl over b.
shoulders, buslly plying her needle. A
infant boy lay in a cradle not far Of
while little girl, called Alice, whoi
{ wasted form and features spoke of wal
, and privation, was rocking him to slee
"Wouid you hear what they are sa,
ing p asked the stranger.
The merchant nodded acquiescenc
Immediately there came to his ear Il
; confused noise of voices, from which
soon distinguished that of the sick maj
who asked for some food.
I'VE have none in the house, sat
his wife. "But | shall soon get tn
: work finished. and then | shall be ab
to get some
The husband groaned. 80 that