Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-11-02
D@TRANsIRNT BILLs-cAsR.

clerks were bending over their desks. He
had been looking over . little pocket. book,
which he always carried about him, for sothe
pote or billj and as he turned its pages, . bit
of folded paper dropped out. :"
The banker opened It, and although twenty
| years had desdened the first edge Of his sof<
row, the tears rushed to his eyes as they fall
| on the contents. A penciEsketch, rude aud
unfinished, Of \ meek -broWed child lock OF
soft brown hair, and that perfdmed dust Of
crimson rose-these were dsarer 10 the banker
thaa his vaults of yellow gold.
As he looked at them, tremulous Soies
without arrested his ear. 7T-l -
"I would be glad if you would buy; gene
tlemen, for my need is very great have
sickly daughter at home, who must bs fed,"
| "Be of about your business" was the sharp
rejoinder. 81 won't let you in. Don't you
| see you are not wanted herew
The voice seemed to strike responsive
chord in the rich mans heart; surely he had
heard its mild tones before. he partially
opened the door, and called out sterplys -eu
Waters show the gentleman in, if you
please"
The abashed clerk obeysd, not without sur.
prise, and the bowed old man, with his heavy
basket of strawberries, came humbly into tho
private room of the great banker --sys
"Will you takea chair 7" politely imputed
Mr.. Arnet, moving forward luxurious faa>
teuR %
Tho old man took of his hat apOloge.iealISg
"Sir, fear that intrude on your taltz
able time, IF you would buy some Of my
fruit-necessity, you know, is strong, and my
poverty is extreme. was not always in such
position" f
Mr.. Aruet watched the proud turn of that
gray head with n singular smile-theu sitting
a. l. 4 L. .G
handed it across the table.
zone thousand dollars |" faltered the old
man, as he read, turning red and white in
breath. He held it toWatd the banker. lilr
"Sir, hoped you were too much Of gens
tleman to make sport of ago and distress. Il
there anything to jest about in my want ?" :.
Not at all, sir. You spoke of q Giekly
daughter. l have cottsge vacant, Just oult
side the city, with = fountain, grounds and
observatory. IF you and your daughter will
occupy it, rent free, shall be very glad 10
have you take caro- of it for mo-"
The old man stood white and breathloss as
if in dream. In an instant his hand was
taken in the clasp Of the great banker. 1f
"My friend, my bonefactor, you have for.
gotten me, but my youthful memory is stronger
than yours. Is it possible that you have no
remembrance of me 2"
"Yet it is folly to expect it when am so
changed. Listen sir, he resumed, With d
bright earnest smilej "have you any recollecs
tIon OF forlorn boy, on crowded pier.
! whose little all was scattered by rude blow I
Have you forgotten his distress! Have YOU
forgotten that kind stranger stopped to COM
fort him, not only by money, but by cheering
wordsW
"Is it possible z" stammered the old man.
eyes, it is possible; 1 am that iorlorn boy.
Your money, which that night supplied my
dying sister with luxuries and pleasures,
proved the stepping.stone TO my princely
wealth. Sir, was ragged, friendless boy,
but my heart treasured up your kind words a.
priceless jewels and now the time has como
when may, in Some measure, repay them
with interest"
The old man moved his pale lips as though
he would speak the banker resumed in-
stantly:
81 am alone in the world; my mother u
dead, and my sister, whose last words we're Of
your Kindness, has gone, years ago, to her
eternal home. owe everything to you and
now have n favor to ask"
ga favor, and of me !"
"That you will henceforth allow mo 10 pro.
vide for you, and consider me as your son.
My carriage is at the door, and will take yott
wheresoeVer you wish to 60. But moment
| first"
he took tiny volume from his bteast,
bound in faded velvet, with claspibgS Of
tarnished guilt.
"This book was my dead sisters BibIst 10
lay on her pillow when she died, and since
that hour it has been my constant companion.
There is passage here that has ever been
present to my mind since your kind deed RaSo
hope and courage 70 my life."
he opened the volume, and, through . soft
mist Of grateful tears, the old man read the
scripture words: IRE
"CaHt 1y bread upon the ttaters 8 far
thou shalt find IL after many days"
"MoTnEa SAYS SOL was feeentiy
spending few days in family of which the
mother is one of those women who shine at
home, who lives her religion day by day ops
who, while insisting upon exact truthfulhess
in her children, practices the same hersslt.-
have known her sometimes to make quito
sacrifice that she might keep promise tnads
to her child. Her word, once given, is held
sacred. During my visit heard little 1--WE.
year>old daughter telling an older playmate
something that the latter seemed TO doubt.
"How do you know IL is 30 2" she asked.
"Oh," replied the child confidently, "fnarna
says So"
Still the playmate doubted !; when, raising
with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, the sur.
prised and indignant little one exclaimsd--
What! do you not believe my mGma -
Why, she never, never told me anything thGt
was not true"
Can our little ones always say, "My mother
never. never told me anything that was not
trueW
WHAT1sA CAR-LoAD?-Nominall car
load is 20, 900 pounds. II Is 10 batrelS Of
salt. 20 of lime, go of -four, 60 Of Whiskey,