The true northerner., 1875-01-08


Matte Hunter. He recalled his bitter
jealousy of the gay city fop, Edward
Hill, who came to the little village and
fascinated Matte by his fine dress, his
smooth courtesy and airs of superiority.
He thought of thu fathers oppression,
his grief and his death, when holding
Charles Haughton's hand in his own,
he left his forgiveness for the willful
child, should she ever return. She left
a void in the honest loving heart that
was not filled for many years. Restless
and lonely, Charles had gladly accepted
an offer from an uncle in New York to
enter his counting house, and rising
rapidly. he had finally, at his uncle's
death, inherited his fortune and busi-
ne ss, and when past forty had married
belle of society, whose love was his
great happiness, and whose children were
the idols of their fathers heart.
And now, twenty long years after he
stirred all these old recollections in his
heart.
at may not be the same, he thought;
sit is common name"
Then he unfolded the second paper,
and here penciled slip, folded over a
o.dollar note, explained the errand en-
New Years Eve that had resulted in
the loss of the pocket-book. For the
pitifui memorandum ran:
"Ball for Eddy, 10 cents grapes for Matte,
25 cents; bushel of coal. 40 cents; toy for
Minnie. 10 cents candies, IS cents; dinner,
ETC., s1.0n."
eddy Matte I" Charles Haughton
thought. "It is Matte Hill All me |
She must be very poor when she calcu-
lates so closely. Let me look at the
grocer's bill. Bread, milk, brown sugar,
cheap tea-everything of the meanest
kind and in smallest quantities. Poor
Matte Little children, too Oh L
must find out about her, and-let me
see. / owe her father many a kindness,
and am rich nlar. I'll begin a new
year with payment of Mr.. Hunters
goodness to me, if 1 find it is his
child"
He opened his pocket-book, and
taking a crisp bank-note, folded it in
paper, upon which he wrote, "Mattie
Hill, from an old friend" and put it in
the shabby pocket book. Then he
glanced at his watch, and whispered:
"Only little after 10. Everything
will be open late tonight, and / can
find this grocery store and make some
inquiries"
Before he left the house he hovered
few minutes over the collection of toys
in the nursery, selecting few, and then
he hurried on his errand, to find the
grocer just putting up his shutters.
"Can you tell me, 3" he asked, "any-
thing about Mrs. Hill, who deals with
you?"
The man put down the shutter and
motioned the questioner into the store.
His round, good-natured face wore
troubled look, as he asked
"What do you want to know for a?
She's in sore trouble, every way, and if
its bad news"
at is not" was the emphatic reply,
want to do her kindness"
Poor soul, she needs it. She is
very poor, with consumptive daughter
dying by inches, and two little ones.
Five she's buried, sir"
"Where is her husband ?"
dead, sir, the Lord be thanked
He went off three years ago in delirium
tremens.
How does she live ?"
From hand to mouth, sewing by
hand for tallor's store, and that is
poor pay, now machines are so plenty.
She did better while Miss Matte could
work too, but now she has her to nurse
and feed. Tonight, poor soul, she was
to get ten dollars for some work, and
she came in here an hour or more ago
to tell me that she had lost her pocket
book and the money. Her hands were
chilled and it slipped out"
Charles Haughton looked round the
little store and his eyes frightened as q
kindly idea came to his mind.
"You could fill large order ?"
"Oh, yes sir.
Fill this one for me, and send it to
Mrs. Hills addrt ss in the morning.
What is the bill ?"
Never, probably, had 80 large sum
for one order passed over the little
counter, as the grocer consented, in
happy excitement.
"I'll send them in, sir, he said, TAX
ing the money, "and L promise you
they shall be the best 1 can buy"
g Will you give me Mrs. Hills ad-
dress ?"
"Tbree doors above, sir, on the third
floor. You go in at the open door
next the clothing store"
Goodnight.
Goodnight, sir, and God bless you
for kindhearted gentleman.
1t was IA very narrow door that Charles
Haughton entered, and q narrow flight
of stairs that led him to the third floor.
Quiet reigned in the miserable house,
and he could hear quite distinctly the
voices of women conversing in the room
he sought. One was broken by sobs
the other weak and often interrupted
by hard, dry cough. The latter voice
was saying:
"Don't cry SO, mother some honest
person may find the money and return
it."
81 can't advertise it, Mattie-I can't
even buy paper TO see if it is found.
And promised the children piece of
meat and some candy and toys for New
Year, because we could give them no
Christmas gifts.
WAS Mr.. Hart angry about his
bill ?"
No, he was very kind. But there
is Mr.. Lee coming day after tomorrow
for the rent, and not cent to meet it,