The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-09-23
A GOOD INVESTMENT.

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gun the world with nothing, but whit
had very firmly settled one thing in nj:
mind, which was, that he would some
day be rich. Another point was, II pos
sible, still more firmly settled, namely
that he would never run in debt to the
value of dollar. lie had worked hare
for several years, as a joefueyman, at nj:
trade of carpenter, to obtain the mean;
TO erect small house and shop of nj:
own. He had been for some time attach
ed to an estimable young woman, as pool
in the world as himself. Their union
had been so long deferred, that both par.
ties grew impatient for the time to come
Though only two rooms in the house
were finished so as to be habitable, they
resolved to wait no longer. But small
sum of money remained to furnish even
these two rooms. But, scanty as was the
furniture which this sum would procure,
thew adhered to their first resolution not
to run in debt, but to wait until more
could be procured without obtaining ii
on credit.
One day visitor was announced at
their humble home-no less parsonage
than the wealthy Mrs. Ives.
"You seem to be setting out right in
the world, my young friend" she said,
as she looked around their room. 81
suppose you intend to be rich one OF
these days, and think you will succeed. "
eve hope some day to be better of
than we now are," replied Mr.. Coleman.
ri know we have begun life differently
from most young people" he added, cast
ing his eyes around the scantily furnish
ed apartment, "and the most of our
neighbors think the worse of us for it.
But the fact is, we have both of us set
out with the determination never to con-
tract debt"
'I doubt not you will soon be able to
finish your house and furnish it neatly"
said Mrs. Ives, kindly and approvingly.
II admire your spirit of honest indepen-
dence, and should be sorry to do anything
to wound it. But we have some furniture
in our garret, which has been stored
there to make room for more, and if you
will accept the loan of some chairs and a
table until it is convenient for you to
purchase those which will suit you bet
ter, it will crafty me very much to let
you have them"
This offer was made with so much
kindness and delicacy, that Mr.. Coleman
could not refuse it, or feel wounded by it.
After Mrs. Ives had left, he exclaimed: !:
''That is what I call kind-hearted,
true hearted woman. She has made me
think better of all the world than l did
half an hour ago."
This was true. This delicate act of
kindness had stolen the bitterness from
the heart of the proud man-for proud
he was, and it had taught him to think
more charitably of all his race.
Years passed on, and Mark Coleman's
dreams of wealth were more than real
lied. His house was soon finished, and
neatly furnished, after which he had no
reason to complain of the shyness of his
ncighbors. But he did not remain there
many years. He removed to larger
place, where he could extend his bust
ness operations. After the first few years
wealth flowed in upon him as rapidly as
he could desire. But it is not our pur-
pose to follow him through his course.
Our tale now passes over period of
some years. In pleasant village, many
miles distant from its opening scene,
stands an old dilapidated dwelling, of
that peculiar hue which the suns and
storms of three-fourths of a century i'm
part to the natural color of wood. This
dwelling is inhabited by poor widow
and her invalid granddaughter, a girl of
fourteen. The couch of the invalid is
placed in the most comfortable corner of
the only comfortable apartment the
dwelling contains. A stand is placed
close by the side of the bed, covered with
a clean white cloth. On this stand the
widow is preparing to place their simple
evening meal.
The family were very poor.
This was evident from all the sufferings
of their humble home, and from the tone
of the young girl as she asked anxiously :
sWill the food we have last longer
than tomorrow"
''I think not" was the reply of the
widow.
"Does not your faith begin to fail you
vet, grandmother" she asked, as she
looked at her grandmother's counte-
nance.
"Why should it, my dear? We have
not reached the extremity yet. Mans
extremity is Gods opportunity you
know"
But the faith of the young girl had not
been strengthened and developed by a
life of discipline and trial. She knew
not how to trust in an hour so dark as
this. All the evening she tossed restless
ly upon her pillow. Withdrawing the
curtain which shaded the window near
her bed, and looking out she suddenly
exclaimed:
"Oh, grandmother brilliant lights are
cleaning from the windows of the great
house on the hill. What does it mean
The house has been shut up ever since
we lived here"
"This reminds me-" said her grand
mother, "of what Mrs. More told me to-
dav. She said that wealthy gentleman
had purchased the house, and was mov-
ing in"
Alice gazed few minutes longer at
the bright light cleaning from the win
dows; then sinking back on her pillow
with sigh, she said
Chow cheerful it looks over there
how different ther home from ours !'
Her aged parent read what was passing
in her thoughts, and said:
"Alice, my child, do not envy the in
mates Of yonder mansion. Our SORROWS,
/ trust, are preparing us for brighter
home than that. There is no mansion
on earth, however pleasant or richly fur