Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-12-21

go 70 1nchNenf SAluH HlgOligs
"Deacon johnson says / shall never
get to heaven, Dolly" said he, watch
ing her earnest face.
"Just because Deacon johnson is n
school committee, and can tell who can
go upstairs and who must stay down,
he thinks he knows everythingp' said
Dolly, scornfully. After q pause, she
said gently; Jesus WILDE kind to you,
il only because you are kind to me. /
will read il TO Won some time. Mother
read il to me, but have forgotten It,
"1f Jesus knew was miscrm said
the old man, softly, as if ashamed of
his words
..Rut you can't be miscr if you are
kind to people all the time" said Dolly,
hopefully, as she jumped from the
wagon and bade him good-by.
The next morning the miser started
for the widows house with gold piece
in his hand. He was pale and his
hands trembled. All night he had
tried to make up his mind to give the
gold to Dolly, and he feared, il he did
not go early in the day, he should find
himself replacing it with the rest, in the
little canvas bag.
81 will give her something that is
worth someihingr' he muttered, as he
walked through the damp and sleet he
would not let old Adam face.
Hearing steps behind him, he turned
and met the shrewd eye of the young
village lawyer Many sharp word
had passed between them, but this
morning the miscr had no hard word or
thought for anyone.
a. l,1. dull NJ.
Perkins, said the lawyer. II would
draw up your will cheap to-day; very
cheap"
"How cheap?n said the miscr
"For one-half what | should charge
after Newly ears
'I will have it done now," said the
miser.
"Now is the time,'' said the young
man, laughing; and, wondering how far
the old man would carry the joke, they
entered the lawyers office together.
When he knocked at the Widows door
he was not thinking of the gold piece in
his hand.
The widow opened the door, Her
face was pale and tears were in her
eyes.
"Dollyr' gasped the miser. "Where
is shePn
You may see her, said the widow
"but she will not know you; she does
not know me. o Mr.. Perkins, why did
let her go out without me Yesterday"
as she led the way to Dolly's little
ROOM. -. A-.
The miser had feared that when he
saw the gold in Dolly's hand-gone
from him forever-the old desire would
return and he could not give it up; but
as he stood beside her bed and placed
the gold in her burning hand the un-
conscious fingers refused to close over
it, and it fell unnoticed, uncarcd for, to
the floor; and Dolly murmured: Il shall
tell Jesus he is not q miser.n
"She does not know what she says"
said the widow, as if to apologize for
Dolly.
q understand said the miser.
She was saying that all night said
the widow.
Il will come again tonight" said
the miser, and he went away with a
heavy heart.
For many days he came and went
away with no hope. 1t was u happy
day when Dolly though very weak and
pale, spoke to him and knew him. He
was pleased to see the gold piece hung
on a ribbon around her neck
"What have you got to say to Mr..
Perkins, Dolly?n said the widow; he
has been TO see you every day since you
were sick"
Dolly took the gold piece in her fin
gers, as if she would speak of that; but
dropped it suddenly, and said: "Mr.
Perkins, have you ever eaten your
mOuseP
"No, / haven't" said he.
"Then | hope it is spoilt," said Dol
ly. Have you got on your knit stock
ingsp"
mo" said Mr.. Perkins, meekly. II
heard that Santa Claus was very sick,
and IL thought never should get any
more if-if-"
IF he died." said Dolly, coolly.
He took up Dolly's thin little hand,
and said: ~ have had the chimney
fixed; SO Santa Claus won't have to
come in the window next year.
And the front door?" said the weak
but severe Dolly.
1T is painted" said he, three
coatsr
ave shall move back tomorrow
said Dolly, family but firmly
Christmas morning has come again,
with its sunshine and wind and snow;
but the snow is no whittier than Mr.. Per-
kins' little house. Instead of pieces of
rag carpet, flowers are in the windows,
nodding at the wind and sunshine.
Dolly, once more rosy with health,
has been reading to the old man; the
big Bible is on the table, open where
she left it. t
The snow-birds are flying around the
house just as they used to when little
Ben lived there. Now and then they
fly to the window-sill.
The old man-tOo weak to sit up
lies and watches them. Then he grows
tired and closes his eyes. He hears
music, but it does not come from the
birds; he family calls Dolly and draws
n sealed package from under the pillow.
81 never told her-she does not know
it'-he murmurs, "she does not think
of money, dear little Dolly" A face
that is not Dollys, but little Bcn's comes
near to him. The music fills the room,
and voice sweeter far than Dolly's
repeats the words she has read. The
will falls from his pale hands and tho
bright sun pOurs in and shines upon his
silver hair and closed eyelids, but it can
not awaken him.--N Y. ObsorUer. ..r
The Advantages of Poverty,