American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-08-05

only a receiver of good things. The
must learn the meaning of that wis
saying, TO give is to live.' Will the
not go with me?"
And the little woman turned from tn
porch, Farmer Brill rising and follow
ing her.
"Thee must bring basket of apple
with thee" said the woman, pausing a
the gate.
The farmer filed great basket, an,
took it on his arm,
1t is so kind of you, sir!" said tn
wearT-looking woman in whose poo
little home he sat down the basket
And her grateful looks and tones sen
to his heart feeling of warmth an,
pleasure, puror and deeper than he ha,
known for long, long time.
"Thee understands, now," said hi
companion, as they left the cottage
''what true, sweet life thee may live
if thee will. God has given thee of Hi
bounties more than hundred-fold be
yond thy own needs, and leisure 10 aar
for thy neighbQrs, and health in thy de
Ginning year.. And yet, thee is no
happy. Why? Thee is still trying t,
live for myself alone"
The words of the speaker died OF
Farmer Brill's ears; and at the sam,
instant another voice reused him to an
ether presence. 1t was that of his wife
"How sound asleep you were, An
drewl 1 don't like to have you SLEEP
so heavily in the daytime. 1t ism
good"
The farmer started with bewildered
air.
"Why, Andrew! What ais you!
What have you been dreaming about?'
sob! it aoas a dream! Yes, 1 see
Dreams are strange things"
And the farmer settled himself back
in his chair, and dropped his chin upon
his bosom, not to sleep again, for he
was very wide-awake now, but to pom
der on what he had heard from the lips
of the monitor, who had come to him
in vision.
AS his wife went back into the house,
Farmer Brill heard the ecund of a
horses feet in the road, and looking up
saw one of his neighbors little way
off. 1t was now over five years aince
he had denied some triaihg favor to this
man, and there had been GOODNESS be-
tween them ever since. At sight of
him the farmer had an uncomfortable
feeling, and dropped his eyes, intend
ing not to see him. But this only made
him feel the more uncomfortable. SO,
with self-compelling effort, he rose
from his seat, and, walking out through
the gate that opened upon the road,
met his neighbor, saying in as cordial
a tone as he could introduce into his
voice: "Good morning, Mr.. Holden"
"Good morning, Mr.. Brill" re-
turned the neighbor, little surprised
at this unusual friendliness. He drew
up his horse, and leaning down took the
farmers offered hand.
sHow is Mrs. Holden?''
"Well, thank you. And how is Mrs.
Brillp''
Hearty for one of her years"
"And your own health?"
"Can't complain. A little stiff with
sometimes; but I suppose
ought to be thankful that my limbs
Ire not all twisted out of shape like poor
John Gardeners. By the way, how is
"very badly Off" replied the neigh
Dor, with pity in his voice. elias not
been able to do a days work these two
sis that SOP Poor fellow!" Farmer
Brill dropped his eyes to the ground
Ind stood thinking. And then the
words he had heard in his dream be-
,an repeating themselves in his
thoughts.
He gives to some his broad grain
ields and fruitful orchards, that they
nay fill barns and storehouses, and lay
Up food for the hungry and seed for the
over, that his people die not for lack
# bread. God has given thee of His
earthly bounties more than a hundred
old beyond thy own need, and leisure
o care for thy neighbors, and health in
by declining years. And yetthee is not
Happy, for thee is still trying to live for
Myself alone.''
"How does he live ?" asked the farm
n, raising his eyes from the ground
md looking up into his neighbours face.
50 His family would have suffered in
many ways, and his children gone often
hungry to bed, If some of us had not
ooked after him.
al had no idea it was so bad" said
he farmer. "Hungry children! II
ant stand that. I must go and see
him.
"I wish you would. It's real case
If charity"
an go right off, said the farmer,
urning away and going back into the
louse.
81 wonder what's come over the old
nanP' So the neighbor nused as he
ode away. Hope he is not going to
lie. always thought he had
! tender place somewhere in
lis heart if one only knew how
o find it. He was a right generous
ort Of a fellow when a young man, but
lie was thrifty, and thrift seemed to
harden him.
Half an hour afterward Farmer Brill
lrove off in his light wagon. There was
! marvellous change in the expression of
lis old face. His eyes had new luster