Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-11-27
as 1 said 1 will-will give you all you


Come. then or it will be too late!
cried Reuben Welles, desperately.
And he dragged the old man from the
room despite his enlreaties that he
would let him look up his treasure.
Evening had fallen; the flowers III
the lane were wet with the dew OF
heaven, giving forth sweet oders, all
the sweeter if the heavy footsteps Of the
men crushey them in passing; the night
birds piped their evening songs; every
thing spoke Of tranquil peace. But the
twom men fastening through the twilight
gave no heed 20 these.
A few moments and they were at the
door of Reuben Welle's cottage. 1t
was open, and as they looked in, the
scene that met their eyes was never to
be forgotten. A fire was blazing
brightly on the hearth. Before IL, in a
low chair, sat young girl, tiny babe
lying on her knee and stretching itself
comfortably in the warmth; old Michael
was al table feeding two other children
his old whether-beaten face fairly
beaming at each mouthful they swallow
ed. On a bed IN the corner of the
room, freshly spread with white. though
coarse linen, lay The siok mother, a
peaceful, happy smile on her pale face
as she looked at the hungry children
who were giving siyhs Of content and
repletlon at old Mchael's generous
feeding. Mabel was bending oyer hel
with the fact Of an angel almost (i
seemed to Reuben Welles,) the glass
and the spoon beside her showing that
the PATIENTS wants had not been neg.
lected.
The freight danced Oh the wall, the
happy children laughed aloud in glee,
and the sound reused Tie father. Then
on his threshod-to which he might
have come with the blood of a fellow
beng on his hands-he barred his head
and thanked God wh) kept him from
that awful crime then he turned to
Elbcrt Chiffon who stood silently
beside bin. and said humbly:
Can you forgive me? 1 was crazed
by my trouble. feared to ask you for
help, - u
But his voice had been heard within
the room, and joyful shout went up as
two Of the children rushed to meet him,
and drew him in, crying:
oh, father! So much to eat Wen
nerer be hungry again.
And his wife, calling him to her with
faint voice. said;
Husband, our troubles are over now
here is an angel who has helped u.s.
and she looked very lovely at Mabel.
No, no, 1t was grandfather who
helped you,' SAID Mabel. L wish he
was here now. | am sure it would
make him happy to see the good his
money has done.'
lie is here said voice at the door;
and Elbert Chiffon entered slowly, and
sank down upon a chair for he was old
and the excitement had shaken him.
Old Mser Chiltonu cried the children
with hushed voices, as they shrank be-
hind their father. But Mable went up
to HIM, and putting her arms around his
neck. kissed him lovingly, saying:
See, grandfather! isn't it blessed to
give?'
Yes, child answered Elbert, his
eyes, long unused to tears, moist and
shining. Please God, it shan't be
Miser Chiffon any more
And il wasn't; though there was
many bitter struggle before he Con-
Quered himself. The money he had
taken such delight in boarding gave
him far greater JOY when he shared 1t
with others. Mabel was his almoner.
She had long been kuoyn aud loved
throughtou the village; butwhere before
she had only helping words and plying
smiles to give, now she could give SUBJ
slantial aid. Under her gentle guidance
Elbert Chiffon at last learned the SUBJ
lime truth that it is more blessed 10
slye than to receive And in giving he
himself receiyed-love, gratitude, re-
spect: gifts that boarded gold can never
buy.