Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-06-15
NUMBER %.

90 to those poor girls this very night,
he said; and going to his desk drawer.
/ he took lhereirom Il roll OF bills, amount
ing to five hundred dollars, and put
them in his pocket book. Then.
thinking that he would not make him
sell known 10 his nieces that night, be
took large envelope which was lying
on the table, and having directed ii to
Miss Lena Fletcher, he put the bills in
side. Then a sudden fancy having
seized him. he took his pen. and under
Meath the name which he had written,
he wrote, "A birthday present"
He descended to the hall, and was
Just putting on his hat. when Inez en-
tered. Where are you going. father ~
said she.
"Inez, my precious child. you are like
an anchor OF faith, feel that you were
given to me lur new covenant between
me and Heaven. an inspiration for the
good and the true" he sand. as he kissed
her fair cheek Your words have
made changed man of me. | am go
ing now to those poor girls to try and
help them"
Had YOU not better wait until to-
norrow?H said she, lit is getting late. >
mo. darling. | feel af it must not
wait moment; 80 good bye and with
these words he started forth. The iesti-
val being over, the guests departed,
leaving heart wishes for the continued
happ piness OF the beautiful girl. As
soon as they had gone. lnez flew to her
mothers room, to tell her the joyful
news that her father had gone to aid the
poor girls Mrs. Fletcher was as much
reioiced TO hear this. a. lnez was TO tell
her; for both mother and daughter had
often expressed to each other. desire to
help these poor orphans. but had feared
10 speak OF it TO Mr.. Fletcher.
We will now return TO Lena and Rilla
whom we left so unceremoniously Lena
had spent the day in sewing and caring
Tor her sisters comfort In the evening,
she was about TO replenish the fire, when
she saw they had but Two sticks lett then
though the sacrifice cost her much pain.
she resolved to sell the cherished neck
lace in order to buy fuel. She waited
until her sister was asleep, then, putting
on An old hood and faded shawl, and
having put the necklace in her POCKET.
she was about to open the door, when
she heard some one coming up the stairs.
1t was mans step. Who can it be-"
she said to herself. Presently there was
a knock at the door; she opened it, and
found there a gentleman whom she did
not know, but who said care you Miss
Lena Fletcher"
II am," answered she.
Here Is something for you" he said'
handing her the envelope and then going
down stairs.
Lena looked at it wondeIingly; but
she was not long in opening 1t, and no"
great was her JOY and surprise on be-
holding the money. Who could have
sent it. and who was the gentleman who
brought it' were queries that passed
rapidly through her mind.
Her joyful exclamalions awoke her
sister.
"What is II; what has happened.
Lena?"
With a thankful heart. Lena related tho
occurrence which had just taken place.
She could not frame words to express her
deep sense OF gratitude to the donor and
most of all to the kind, Heavenly Father.
Taking the cherished necklace from her
pocket. she told her sister what she had
been about to do. while tears at Lhe men,
ory of her sainted mother, mingled with
happy tears of Joy and thankiuiness
What a precious birthday present"
she said. with clear light shining in her
ewes. at seems as If we cannot 10
thankful enough" and, kneeling there
by her sisters bedside, with tull heart
she blessed God for his kind providence.
Rilla. too. was much moved. and sent up
her childish prayer OF gratitude to her
Heavenly Father Tor his goodness.
Lena could not sleep that night Tor loY'
The next morning ss she was sitting oy
The window. "Rilla,' she said. eagerly;
There is the man who brought the
money last night, and he is coming here
too" Hardly waiting tor him to knock
she oyiully opened The door and admit
ted him.
"Will YOU tell me-" said she. "who
sent the present which you brought last
night"
mo one sent il, il was my present
"Oh, thank you. and may God bless
YOU! Who are you?" said the grateful
girl.
Your uncle, Earnest Fletcher; and
INV dear Lena, we will not consider the
money present; it rightfully belongs TO
YOU. and now in deep humiliation. must
lay bare my wicked heart to you. and
hone TO receive the blessed assurance oi
forgiveness"
He told her all. The tears were stream'
ing down her pale cheeks. and it was
some minutes before she could speak.