Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-05-05
Mrs. Burnbam sat down. fully

: not very eloquent, it was 10 th
4 point.
r AZ last each had bis say, and
s after disposing Of nearly a bushe
: Of apples and drinking two gallon
2 Of new cider. they babe Mrs. Mar
, tin good night, and returned Il
their homes feeling that they werr
. indeed workers in the. Lords vine
yard.
II was arranged that they should
meet the following Tuesday even
ing at the house Of Mrs. Burnham
and each should carry what he OF
she intended TO give to the poor in
the neighhorhood, and also the
money towards buying presents
for Mr.. Stanwood, and several
wealthy gentlemen who belonged
20 the church, hat who, with ,heir
minister, were absent, attending a
conference. Deacon Gooding was
10 decide what the presents should
be.
The days passed swiftly away,
and Tuesday evening came, "betore
a body had a chance TO turn round"
as widow Martin expressed it.
Before seven o'clock every per-
son in Lincolnville might have been
seen walking along in the moon
light toward Farmer Burnham's res
idence, each with a parcel or ba.-
ket in his hand.
When all were assembled, Mr..
Burpham asked Deacon Gooding to
inform them what he had decided
the presents for the absent ones
should &c.
After toe customary ahem, the
Deacon proceeded to address his
audience, straightway in such words
as follows:
II have decided, my dear friends,
that as il will not-ah-do to offer
such a-ah-rich, that is, wealthy
man as Mr.. Stanwood any ordiD-
AIRY present. it is best to give him
a rose wood writing-desk. 1t will
cost thirty dollars. II no person
present-ah-has any objections.
we will give-ah that is-present
Mr.. Fullerton with a nice robe for
his new sleigh. For Mr.. Grosvenor
We will buy-that is-purchase
several Of Mr.. Dickinson's-"
Dickens, Dearon," Called ont
bis wife in tone that plainly told
her lungs were good.
"Yes-ah-several Of Mr.. Dick
ms best novels, for ! heard him
'ay-ah-observe that he would
ike TO have 'em. The cost wonld
'e nineteen dollars. went TO the
'ity to-day. and priced the-ah-
'everal articles myself. Now, my
lear brothers and sisters, I hope
ach one Of you will-ah-give
nth pleasure whatever sum is |
eeded to make out enough to buy {
he several prese ITS / have named
-ah-that is, mention d." z
The Deacon was qu'e cut Of
reath by the time bis long speech |
'as ended, and he whispered TO
is better half as he sat down: |
ats tarnation hard work to talk
D long"
Each gave readily, and, after
ounting the money, it was found d
nat the Deacon would be obliged Il
, give ten cents. =
After few minutes, during I
'hich a committee was chosen to Il
urchase and deliver tie presents >
} the gentlemen for whom they i
ERE intended. Deacon Sanford g
that they should see what D
iey could do for the poor. Then q
great unrolling Of bundles and a
peuing Of baskets, and about one Z
ten dropped an e1ceedingl, 81
nall bill into the hat which Mr.. ~
nrnham passed around. 7.
When it came to Deacon Good u
g's turn to give something, he u
'eathed an audible sigh, and put u
= thumb in his vest pocket, and q
'ew out two cent piece. which u
; noi~elessly placed in the bottom &c
the hat. u
Everything TO eat and wear which o.
ld heen brought, together with io
lie money, wa divided into three il
lual parts, and some boys were b
losen to carry the donation to Il
e families mentioned by Mrs. Il
urnham, they being the only ones 81
no were really suffering for help. h
The next morning the Smiths
und themselves in possession Of