The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-01-16


of his went for rum or tobacco or que5-
tionable amusements. i
But two months ago they had moved
to lower their rent, unfortunately, into
a damp locality, where his wife had con-
tracted rheumatic complaint that rem
dered her almost helpless. Then there
must be help hired, Doctors bills met,
and, at last, poor Granger found him
self deeply in debt, and though his wife
had improved so as to be able, with
the assistance of younger sister, to
crawl about the house and just do the
indispensable duties of it, yet there was
much so oEpressively discouraging in
the prospect this morning, and poor
James was so worn out with the hard
and constant struggle of his lot, as to
feel utterly unable to bear it longer
alone, and, like a drowning man, cast
about for even straw to catch at to
save himself from sinking. Poor fellow
With his wife disabled from fresh at
tack of her complaint, experiencing tor
ture if she moved a finger; the young
sister tired and cross from overwork
and care; the children clamoring for
breakfast; James would have fain drop
ped his head upon his pillow and wept.
Should he give up, grow desperate, take
to bad courses, and shipwreck all?
No; he rose, dressed quickly, kept a
calm countenance, even spoke cheer
fully to the children, dressing them the
while; then he took cup of warm
drink to his poor wife, and telling her
he would send the doctor right away,
hurried: about preparing fuel and doing
all those little household duties man
can do, without any sacrifice of manli-
ness either, and departed to begin again
the labor of another week-labor that
seemed quite hopeless.
But all this while there had been 60
ing up from James Granger's heart
silent prayer fer help to Him he had
never sought before. He had been
church-going man, a reverent nearer of
the word, but had hitherto in his
strength of manhood felt himself equal
to his burdens This morning he had
found himself too weak to bear up long
er; and on the way to his shop a cry
from his tried heart kept going up to
the Infinite for help-for some instant,
present help.
"And it shall come to pass that while
they call will answer"
As he left his house neighbor, the
wife of his principal creditor, ran over
to see Mrs. Granger, and finding her so
helpless physically, and so hopelessly
lying, with great tears rolling slowly
down over the curly head of little Willie,
who had crept up to her and nestled on
her breast, that, touched to the heart,
she tried to comfort her by every means
in her power.
"Oh, Mrs. Mason," the poor invalid
had sobbed out, "I'm not crying for the
pain, acute as it is, Pm only thinking of
my poor discouraged husband, what
heavy burdens he has to bear"
Mrs. Mason ran home and back in
five minutes, with a tempting dish of
food which she kindly forced on the sick
neighbor; and as she returned home,
stopping her husband, who was going
out of the house, said earnestly:
George, do wish you and those other
creditors of Mr.. Granger would send
h m his bill, receipted, this very day."
Mr.. Mason looked at his bright little
wife, and though he never had admired
her more than at that moment, to test
her, asked, "And why, pray?''
"Oh, how can you ask; don't you
know how sick his wife is9 and they
are dreadfully poor, and" here the
woful face of her neighbor came before
her SO plainly that she dropped her face
into her hands and burst into tears.
This was too much for Mr.. Mason
Men can often act quite stoically whe n
a wife weeps for herself. 1t is some
thing more serious when she can weep
for others.
"There, Jane, don't. III 20 over to
Burt's and Wilson, and if they are will
ing, which is doubtful, why, I suppose
l must do it to please you, you little
nervous body" he added, as pair of
arms went round his neck.
"You good old George, I'll do with
out new dress this winter, and give up
that journey to fathers, if you do" was
sobbed out
The result was that at night the post
man put into James Changers hand a
letter delicately worded Ga proud man
was James,, asking him to accept, as a
token of their appreciation of his
former promptness in his payments,
aad of their sympathy in his misfor-
tunes, their receipted bills, which he
found inclosed.
The brave heart that had borne up
against sorrow was not proof against
this kindness. With OVERLOOKING eyes
he sought the bedside of the invalid, and
as she realized what load was lifted
from the burdened husband, their
thanksgiving went up together. But
after all it was doubtful which was hap
piest that night-debtor, creditor, or
tender-hearted, self-sacrifcing little
Jane Mason.
Posting letter of heart-warm thanks
to his generous creditors, James went
| to his work the next morning with