The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-06-06

ARH ANaAA atAAAANt+AN T" AN'N~NA rfN. 'F'N."Nt tN#
had this unique notice at the head ot
the village items:
"An who have ever betn the rccipl-
euts Of kindly deeds irom 'Auuty Lee
and who would like 81 reciprocate now
in her day of misfortune are invited %
bring their supper 81 Oak Grove on
Thursday afternoon at Ave O'clock, ami
talk the matter up over 'neighborly
cup Of tea
AZ the time appointed l had ear
riage come to take my hostess and me,
ana my basket of cakes and huns fresh
from the bakery, 20 the beautiful grove.
As We were driven along l WAS sur
priSei g. see 50 many people, lunch
baskets in hand, speeding II The same
direction.
Almost everybody IN town is going,
said Mrs, Evans. high an low, rich
an poor.
As WAS being assisted 10 a seat a
gentle, motherly little woman spread a
soft shawl over the back ol the chair
intended for me and quickly folded an-
other shawl for my lame foot - rest
upon.
This is Aunty Lee" said Mrs.
Evans, and the sweet-iaced little woman
aud | looked into each others faces
with little curiosity, perhaps, as well
as sympathy. and shook hands cord tally.
IL don't know wha, all these good peo-
pie are to 10 with Elijah ana me, she
said with a smile that was as genial as a
sunbeam, "but the minister would have
us come, and he and his wife drove
around for us.
The minister ascended the platform
Just then, and after tenderlv YET i'm
rressiyely invoking the Divine blessing,
he looked down benignly upon the faces
upturned 10 his and with 81 touching
intonation Of voice asked "Who IS my
neighbor ?" he then went On 70 tell how
Aunty Lee had answered that question
in regard to himself.
"When first became acquainted with
Mr.. and Mrs. Elijah Lee, he said, =
was finishing my theological studies
here in the village with DIR. Mills, and
they had Just married and settled down
IN their little house yonder, which they
had inhe, ted. One day l was sent for
to preach on trial in the adjoining town
of Lrvboro'. Ny only coat was worn
threadOare and extensively patched, and
| had no way Of procuring another.
Feeling sorely grieved and dispirited
started ont for a walk, and for the sake
OF telling my troubles 10 some fellow
creature and with no thought of receiv-
ing any aid in the premises, turned IN
10 Mrs. Lees house and read TO her the
invitation had had from Luxboro' and
frankly told her why l could not 60 at
present. "
Leave il to the Lord, " said the good
woman, and forthwith she proceeded to
take nv measure with a piece of tape.
"Go home" she continued, "write
your sermon and come here again Sstur
day morning"
obeyed. / subsequently found that
the woman had actually taken piece of
cloth that she had laid by in the house
FOR a cloak for herself, and tailoress as
she was by trade, had cut and made me
coat from it. l preached my first
sermon in il, and shortly received and
accepted nv first call. -
''Oh. dear, whispered Aunty Lee
from her seat by my side, she paid me
for tnat coat every New Years Day
since, and it wasn't much for me to do,
after all.
Major Sanford, the richest man in
town, was the next to take the stand.
The old people smiled and nodded their
heads, but the young folks looked at
each other and wondered what he could
be indebted 10 Aunty Lee for.
when I was boy, the major be-
gan, II was bound out in H to a
very, very bad master, from whom |
determined to run away availed N.Y.
self of an opportunity to escape one
Saturday afternoon, when / was sent TO
the pasture to salt the cattle | came
straight over the mountain 10 this place
| wanted TO get out OF the State rs soon
as possible, so came directly to the
bridge down here at the river, which is,
you all know. the New Hampshire
boundary. Just after / had stepped
upon Vermont soil l overlook, on the
road, Mr.. and Mrs. Lee, young people
then. They had a basket and a spade,
and had been digging up wild flowers
to transplant In their garden. Although
an entire stranger, they accosted Iue
kindly. Noticing that had been crying,
Mrs. Lee asked me my trouble. Before
/ knew II / had blurted ont the whole
story, and had been invited by her 10
90 home with them aud stay over Sun
day. was, of course, only too grateful
to accept the invitation. After supper
we set out the plants, and then Mr.. Lee
took me with him down the hill 10 the
bank Of the brook, as we called il then,
and into his little machine shop. | soon
svinced nv fondess for tools, and confid-
ed to him an invention that had, in crude
form, long had possession of my brain.
Being a natural mechanic, he saw the
utility Of my invention at a glance. The
subject was not mentioned Oh the NOR
row, which was quiet, restful day OF
me. Mrs. Lee loaned me a clean linen
suit belonging 10 her husband, and |
went 10 church with them. The next
day Mr.. Lee went over 10 H and
made terms with my master, because
Mrs. Lee said she could Lot allow me to
feel like a runaway Then Mr.. Lee
took me into his employment and gave
me q corner in his shop where / could,
at odd moments, work at my model
My invention proved q success and
made my fortune. as you all know. 1
am thankful, my friends, that i am able
to-day TO repair the damages done to the
dear little homestead and to rebuild my
old friends shop. ard Major Sanford sat
down, wiping his eyes with his hand
kerchief, while his delightful audience
applauded vociferously.
"Dear heart, said Aunty Lee 10 me,
"what was he talking about2 He's paid
us over and over, and he's tried and
tried TO make Elijah go into partnership
with him, but he wouldn't, and | would
not let him"
Then followed one minute speeches
by the score. "They kept me three
months when was sick and homeless, "
said one. 81 made their house my home
for weeks when I was out OF work, "
said another. Ten homeless working
girls were married in their parlor and
went out into the world with their bless
ing. There was great number of
touching little speeches from those who
had received flowers and delicacies in
illness and warm garments in times Of
need.
Aud 80 from them all flowed out con-
tributions of money, the greater part OF
which was safely placed in bank for the
benefit of the Lees when old age and
failing strength should overtake them.
Dear me-" said Mrs. Evans to Aunty
Lee, you've been lendin' TO the Lord,
and He pays the best interest, arter all
l never could understand before; but
dew now"
"There are none Of us 50 poor that We